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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Paternal Family Tree: Salusbury
Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet and Hester Tyrrell Lady Salusbury were married.
In or before 1612 [his father] Henry Salusbury 1st Baronet (age 22) and [his mother] Hester Myddelton were married.
In March 1612 Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet was born to [his father] Henry Salusbury 1st Baronet (age 23) and [his mother] Hester Myddelton. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
In 1614 [his mother] Hester Myddelton died.
On 10th November 1619 [his father] Henry Salusbury 1st Baronet (age 30) was created 1st Baronet Salusbury of Lleweni in Denbighshire.
In or before 1630 [his father] Henry Salusbury 1st Baronet (age 40) and Elizabeth Vaughan were married.
In November 1631 Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet (age 19) educated at Inner Temple.
In 1632 [his father] Henry Salusbury 1st Baronet (age 43) died. His son Thomas (age 19) succeeded 2nd Baronet Salusbury of Lleweni in Denbighshire. Hester Tyrrell Lady Salusbury by marriage Lady Salusbury of Lleweni in Denbighshire.
In 1637 [his daughter] Hester Salusbury was born to Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet (age 24) and Hester Tyrrell Lady Salusbury. She married 1666 Robert Cotton 1st Baronet and had issue.
In 1637 [his son] John Salusbury 4th Baronet was born to Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet (age 24) and Hester Tyrrell Lady Salusbury.
In 1640 Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet (age 27) was elected MP Denbighshire during the Short Parliament.
On 23rd October 1642 the Battle of Edge Hill was fought at Edge Hill [Map]. The Royal army was commanded by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 41) (with his son King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 12) present), Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland (age 22) and Richard Spencer (age 49) commanded the army that included Maurice Palatinate Simmern (age 21), Richard Byron 2nd Baron Byron (age 36), Lucius Carey 2nd Viscount Falkland (age 32), Charles Cavendish (age 22), Henry Newton aka Puckering 3rd Baronet (age 24), Spencer Compton 2nd Earl of Northampton (age 41), Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet (age 30), John Byron 1st Baron Byron (age 43) and William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh (age 55).
George Stewart 9th Seigneur D'Aubigny (age 24) was killed.
Of the Parliamentary army Basil Feilding 2nd Earl Denbigh (age 34) and Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex (age 51). Oliver St John 5th Baron St John (age 39) was wounded.
Samuel Sandes (age 27) commanded a troop of horse.
Richard Sandes (age 26) was killed.
Thomas Strickland (age 20) was knighted on the field for his gallantry.
Henry Hunloke 1st Baronet (age 24) was knighted by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.
William Dugdale (age 37) witnessed the battle and subsequently surveyed the battlefield.
John Hinton (age 38) was present.
Edward Verney (age 52) was killed.
John Assheton (age 29) was killed.
Robert Bertie 1st Earl Lindsey (age 59) was killed. His son Montagu (age 34) succeeded 2nd Earl Lindsey, 15th Baron Willoughby de Eresby.
William Pennyman 1st Baronet (age 35) commanded a regiment, of which he served as Colonel, which he led for the King.
Edward Stradling 2nd Baronet (age 42) fought for the King, was captured imprisoned for seven months, and died a month after his release.
In 1643 Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet (age 30) died. He was buried at Whitchurch, Shropshire. His son Thomas succeeded 3rd Baronet Salusbury of Lleweni in Denbighshire.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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[his son] Thomas Salusbury 3rd Baronet was born to Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet and Hester Tyrrell Lady Salusbury.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 14 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 7 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Salusbury 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Salusbury
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Salusbury
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Salusbury
GrandFather: John Salusbury 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 2 Grandfather: Tudor ap Robert Vychan
Great x 1 Grandmother: Katheryn of Berain Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry VII of England and Ireland 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roland de Velville Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Velville Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Father: Henry Salusbury 1st Baronet 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Stanley 9th Baron Strange Knockin 5th Baron Mohun Dunster 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley 2nd Earl of Derby 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Strange 9th Baroness Strange of Knockin 5th Baroness Dunster 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings Baron Botreaux, Hungerford and Moleyns 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Hastings Countess Derby 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Hungerford Baroness Hastings, 4th Baroness Hungerford, 5th Baroness Botreaux and 2nd Baroness Moleyns 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Stanley 4th Earl of Derby 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Moleyns 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Howard Countess Derby 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Tilney 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk
GrandMother: Ursula Stanley 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jane Halsall
Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandfather: David Myddelton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Fulke Myddelton of Llansannan
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Myddelton
GrandFather: Thomas Myddelton of Chirk
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh Dryhurst of Denbigh
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jane Dryhurst
Mother: Hester Myddelton
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Olmstead of Ingatestone in Essex
GrandMother: Elizabeth Olmstead
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jane aka Elizabeth Danvers