Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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On 1st January 1673 [his father] Thomas Gale (age 38) and [his mother] Barbara Pepys were married.
On 17th December 1682 Samuel Gale was born to [his father] Thomas Gale (age 47) and [his mother] Barbara Pepys in the parish of St Faith's under St Paul's [Map].
In 1689 [his mother] Barbara Pepys died.
On 8th April 1702 [his father] Thomas Gale (age 67) died.
In or before 1710 [his brother] Roger Gale (age 36) and [his sister-in-law] Henrietta Roper were married.
On 28th March 1717 [his brother] Roger Gale (age 44) was elected Fellow of the Royal Society.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 12th February 1718. Mr Samuel Gale (age 35) Treasurer is authorized to pay Mr Vertue (age 34) two guineas toward engraving the font of St James church. It is proposed for the second time to engrave RII'd's picture and agreed.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 7th May 1718. Bought by the Society the Portrait of Edwrd the Third for a Guinea which Mr Treasurer (age 35) is ordered to pay.
Mr Bostue had the Drawing of Richard II delivered to him by Mr Director (age 40) in order for engraving, for which he is to be paid Twenty Guineas. Mr Director [?] gives the use of the Drawing to the Society.
In order to defray the expenses, it is found necessary to raise a voluntary Subscription of Seven Shillings and Six Pence aa [?] of as many [?], for which they [?] the equivalent in prints of the same when finished.
Mr Vertue (age 34) gives the Copper Plate, he is to be paid five Guineas down, five guineas when half finished, and the rest uponm delivery.
In the margin: Pictures of Henry VII and Eliza: his wife
Bought by the Society of Dr Stukeley (age 30), Secretary, an old picture of Elizabeth wife of Harry VII for £12 0s 6d which Mr Tresurer is order to pay.
Bought by the Society an old picture of Henry VII for £1 0s 4d which Mr Treasurer is ordered to pay to Mr Norroy (age 57).
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 12th June 1718. Mr Samuel Gale (age 35) presented to the Society a print of the Ground Plot and Prospect of Hull by Holler, for which their thanks and ordered to be returned to him.
He likewise brought a letter from the Reverend Dr Knight a Member of the Society containing an account of a large skeleton found near Chippenham, Cambs, with massey [?] chains and fetters, dug up near him and some penates dug up at Devizes.
Mr President (age 57) being obliged to be in the country for the summer season was pleased to propose for Vice-President during his absence, Mr George Holmes (age 56) which was unamimously approved of by the Society.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 24th December 1718. Mr Vertue (age 34) brought a proof of the Plate of Richard II which had the initial approbation of the Society and their thanks for his Care and Accuracy therein and Mr Treasurer (age 36) was ordered to pay him five Guineas more in part of this Agreement for Engraving.
Mr Vice-President (age 56) by the [?] of the Society ordered Mr Director (age 41) to provide us a Box to lay up the Books in.
Mr Samuel Gale brough several Antique Roman Vessels dug up at Port Mahon, and likewise as Treasurer exhibited where it appears he has [?] in Money upon Amount £29:04:06 and has paid £22:4:4. So remains in his hands £07:00:02.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 7th January 1719. The Society Balloted for the Officers for this Year ensuing and the present President (age 57), Secretary (age 31), Director (age 41), and Treasurer (age 36) were unanimously Elected and declared.
The Question being proposed wheather or no, any member should have liberty to subscribe for prints in a larger than common proportion, it by way of ballot carryed in the Negative.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 14th January 1719. It was proposed by Mr President (age 57) wheather every subscriber to the Plate of Richard II have each five prints, and by Ballot carried in the Affirmation, for their 7s:6d.
It was ordered that the Right Reverend Father in God the Bishop of Rochester & Dean of Westminster (age 55), for giving leave to take the Drawing be presented with two of the said prints, and that Mr Director (age 41) and Mr Treasurer (age 36) be desired to wait upon him on that Amount.
Mr Director brought in a proof of an Etched Plate of a Roman Lamp, to be used as a Symbol or Ticket of the Society which he was pleased to make a present of to the Society for which their unanimous thanks were ordered to be given to him.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 11th March 1719. It was proposed that [?] noblemen and persons of quality as please to be members of the Society may be admitted by Ballot.
Ordered the same day a dividend of one print more of Ulphus's Horn to every member.
Resolved that Mr Vertue (age 35) goe to Kensington Pallace to view the pictures of Holbein, copied there by Remy, the originals being burned in Whitehall.
Resolved that in Mr Samuel Gale's (age 36) dissertation upon Ulphus's Horn be revised by Mr President (age 58), [his brother] Mr Roger Gale (age 46), Mr Mickleton and Mr Holmes (age 57), or any three of them, and then printed.
NB. Ten members were present when the last resolution was made.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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In 1739 William Stukeley (age 51) and [his sister] Elizabeth Gale (age 51) were married. She the sister of his great friend Samuel Gale (age 56). She brought a substantial marriage portion to the marriage.
On 25th June 1744 [his brother] Roger Gale (age 71) died. He was buried at St Radegund's Church, Scruton with the stipulation that he be buried in such a manner that no one would know exactly where he was buried.
On 10th January 1754 Samuel Gale (age 71) died.
Father: Thomas Gale
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Pepys of Cottenham
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Pepys of Cottenham
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Pepys of Impington
Great x 1 Grandfather: Talbot Pepys
GrandFather: Roger Pepys
Mother: Barbara Pepys