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: Craven
On 12th December 1807 [his father] William Craven 1st Earl Craven (age 37) and [his mother] Louisa Brunton Countess Craven (age 22) were married at his house in Berkeley Square, Mayfair. He the son of [his grandfather] William Craven 6th Baron Craven and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach (age 56).
On 18th August 1809 William Craven 2nd Earl Craven was born to [his father] William Craven 1st Earl Craven (age 38) and [his mother] Louisa Brunton Countess Craven (age 24). He a great x 4 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 30th July 1825 [his father] William Craven 1st Earl Craven (age 54) died. His son William (age 15) succeeded 2nd Earl Craven in Yorkshire, 2nd Viscount Uffington, 8th Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire.
Around 1830. George Hayter (age 37). Portrait of William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 20).
On 5th September 1835 William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 26) and Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 19) were married. She by marriage Countess Craven in Yorkshire. She the daughter of James Walter Grimston 1st Earl Verulam (age 59) and Charlotte Jenkinson Countess Verulam. He the son of William Craven 1st Earl Craven and Louisa Brunton Countess Craven (age 50).
On 13th June 1836 [his daughter] Elizabeth Charlotte Louisa Craven Countess Wilton was born to William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 26) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 20). She married (1) 11th August 1858 Arthur Egerton 3rd Earl Wilton, son of Thomas Grosvenor 2nd Earl Wilton and Mary Smith-Stanley Countess Wilton (2) 14th September 1886 Arthur Vickris Pryor.
On 24th August 1838 [his son] William Augustus Frederick Craven was born to William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 29) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 22).
On 3rd July 1839 George William Villiers 4th Earl Clarendon (age 39) and [his sister-in-law] Katherine Grimston Countess Clarendon (age 29) were married. She by marriage Countess Clarendon. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] James Walter Grimston 1st Earl Verulam (age 63) and [his mother-in-law] Charlotte Jenkinson Countess Verulam.
On 9th December 1839 [his daughter] Evelyn Mary Craven was born to William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 30) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 23). She married (1) 7th August 1862 her fourth cousin twice removed George John Brudenell, son of Ernest Brudenell-Bruce 3rd Marquess Ailesbury and Louisa Elizabeth Horsley Beresford Marchioness Ailesbury, and had issue (2) 4th December 1869 her fifth cousin once removed Henry Amelius Beauclerk Coventry and had issue (3) 30th August 1877 George William Hutton Riddell.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 30th October 1840 Jacob Pleydell-Bouverie 4th Earl Radnor (age 25) and [his sister-in-law] Mary Augusta Frederica Grimston (age 19) were married. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] James Walter Grimston 1st Earl Verulam (age 65) and [his mother-in-law] Charlotte Jenkinson Countess Verulam. He the son of William Pleydell-Bouverie 3rd Earl Radnor (age 61) and Judith St John-Mildmay Countess Radnor (age 50).
On 16th March 1841 [his son] George Grimston Craven 3rd Earl Craven was born to William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 31) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 25). He married 2nd January 1867 his fifth cousin Evelyn Laura Barrington Countess Craven, daughter of George Barrington 7th Viscount Barrington.
On 24th December 1842 [his daughter] Blanche Craven Countess Coventry was born to William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 33) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 26). She married 24th January 1865 George Coventry 9th Earl Coventry and had issue.
On 8th August 1844 [his daughter] Beatrix Jane Craven Countess Cadogan was born to William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 34) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 28). She married 16th January 1865 George Cadogan 5th Earl Cadogan, son of Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan and Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan, and had issue.
On 12th September 1844 [his brother-in-law] James Walter Grimston 2nd Earl Verulam (age 35) and Elizabeth Joanna Weyland Countess Verulam (age 19) were married. He the son of [his father-in-law] James Walter Grimston 1st Earl Verulam (age 68) and [his mother-in-law] Charlotte Jenkinson Countess Verulam.
On 17th November 1845 [his father-in-law] James Walter Grimston 1st Earl Verulam (age 70) died. His son [his brother-in-law] James (age 36) succeeded 2nd Earl Verulam, 2nd Viscount Grimston, 5th Viscount Grimston, 3rd Baron Verulam of Gorhambury in Hertfordshire, 9th Baronet Grimston of Little Waltham in Essex. Elizabeth Joanna Weyland Countess Verulam (age 20) by marriage Countess Verulam.
On 18th May 1846 [his daughter] Emily Georgiana Craven was born to William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 36) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 30). She married 6th August 1868 Victor William Bates Van De Weyer.
On 6th February 1848 [his son] Osbert William Craven was born to William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 38) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 31).
On 4th January 1850 [his son] Robert Walter Craven was born to William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 40) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 33).
On 11th August 1858 [his son-in-law] Arthur Egerton 3rd Earl Wilton (age 25) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Charlotte Louisa Craven Countess Wilton (age 22) were married. There was no issue from the marriage. She the daughter of William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 48) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 42). He the son of Thomas Grosvenor 2nd Earl Wilton (age 58) and Mary Smith-Stanley Countess Wilton (age 57).
On 27th August 1860 [his mother] Louisa Brunton Countess Craven (age 75) died.
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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On 7th August 1862 [his son-in-law] George John Brudenell (age 23) and [his daughter] Evelyn Mary Craven (age 22) were married. She the daughter of William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 52) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 46). He the son of Ernest Brudenell-Bruce 3rd Marquess Ailesbury (age 51) and Louisa Elizabeth Horsley Beresford Marchioness Ailesbury (age 48). They were fourth cousin twice removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 16th January 1865 [his son-in-law] George Cadogan 5th Earl Cadogan (age 24) and [his daughter] Beatrix Jane Craven Countess Cadogan (age 20) were married. She the daughter of William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 55) and [his wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 48). He the son of Henry Cadogan 4th Earl Cadogan (age 52) and Mary Sarah Wellesley Countess Cadogan (age 56).
The Times. 25th January 1865. MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE. The marriage of the [his son-in-law] Earl of Coventry (age 26) and [his daughter] Lady Blanche Craven (age 22), third daughter of Earl Craven (age 55), was solemnized yesterday morning at St. George's Church, Hanover-square. The bridegroom and the friends of both families assembled at the church at 11 o'clock, and shortly afterwards were joined by the bride, accompanied by her [his wife] mother, the Countess Craven (age 48). The bride was received by her father at the church door, and, attended by eight bridesmaids, proceeded at once to the communion table, in front ot which a numerous company had assembled, including the Earl (age 65) and [his sister-in-law] Countess of Clarendon (age 54) and Lady Emily Villiers (age 22), the Countess of Verulam (age 40) and Lady Harriet Grimston (age 20), Viscount (age 49) and [his sister-in-law] Viscountess Folkestone (age 43) and Hon. Miss Bouverie, the Countess of Sefton (age 27) and Lady Cecilia Molyneux, [his son-in-law] Viscount Chelsea (age 24), and Lady Caroline Townley (age 27) and Miss Townley, [his son] Viscount Uffington (age 23), Sir Henry (age 58) and Lady Sophia Des Voeux, Hon. Mr. and Mrs Coventry, Hon. Gerald (age 35) and Lady Maria Ponsonby (age 28), Mr. Oswald andl Miss Oswald, Dr. Quin, Mr. Cecil Boothby (age 51), Mr. James Oswald, Miss Talbot, [his son-in-law] Viscount (age 32) and [his daughter] Viscountess Grey de Wilton (age 28), [his daughter] Lady Evelyn Bruce (age 25), Hon. Mrs. Grimston and Miss Grimston, &c.
[his brother-in-law] The Hon. and Rev. Edward Grimston (age 52), uncle of the bride, performed the religious rite. After the registration of the marriage the wedding party left the church, and procceded to the Earl and Countess Craven's mansion in Charles-street, Mayfair. At 2 o'clock the newly-wedded couple took their departure for Croome Court, the Earl of Coventry's seat, near Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire [Map], there to pass the honeymoon. At Croome Pirton and Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, the marriage was celebrated yesterday by the tenantry and neighbours of the Earl of Coventry. The tenantry of the Crome Pirton and Severn Stoke estates, to ths number of about 100, dined together in two parties yesterday at Severn Stoke and High-green. At Pirton and Severn Stoke garlands of evergreens and flags were hung out over the roads, and at night a bonfire was lighted at High-green. The rejoicings have extended over all his Lordship's large estates in the southern portion of Worcestershire. The inhabitants of Worcester [Map] celebrated the marriage by hoisting flags from tile windows and streamers across the streets. The bells from the various churches rang merry peals all day.
On 24th January 1865 George Coventry 9th Earl Coventry and Blanche Craven Countess Coventry were married. She by marriage Countess Coventry. She the daughter of William Craven 2nd Earl Craven and Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven.
On 18th April 1865 [his son] William Augustus Frederick Craven (age 26) died.
On 5th March 1866 [his son] Robert Walter Craven (age 16) died aboard Spiteful. He was buried at The British Cemetery, Montevideo.
On 25th August 1866 William Craven 2nd Earl Craven (age 57) died. His son George (age 25) succeeded 3rd Earl Craven in Yorkshire, 3rd Viscount Uffington, 9th Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire.
On 21st May 1901 [his former wife] Emily Mary Grimston Countess Craven (age 85) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 20 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 26 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 21 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 19 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 6 Grand Son of Henry IV King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 27 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Craven 2nd Baron Craven 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Craven
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Craven 5th Baron Craven
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Craven of Stanton Lacy
GrandFather: William Craven 6th Baron Craven
Father: William Craven 1st Earl Craven 3 x Great Grand Son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Berkeley 1st Earl Berkeley 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Berkeley 2nd Earl Berkeley 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Massingberd Couness Berkeley
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Berkeley 3rd Earl Berkeley 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Noel Countess Berkeley
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hester Wotton Viscountess Campden 
Great x 1 Grandfather: Augustus Berkeley 4th Earl Berkeley Great Grand Son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland 
Son of King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Lennox 1st Duke Richmond Son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Louise Kéroualle 1st Duchess Portsmouth
Great x 2 Grandmother: Louisa Lennox Countess Berkeley Grand Daughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Brudenell 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Brudenell Duchess Richmond 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Savile 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandMother: Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Drax
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Drax Countess Berkeley and Nugent
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Ernle 3rd Baronet
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ernle
William Craven 2nd Earl Craven 4 x Great Grand Son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Mother: Louisa Brunton Countess Craven