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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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Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury is in Shrewsbury, Shropshire [Map].
Around 1190 William Burnell was born to William Burnell (age 18) at Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury.
Around 1247 William Burnell (age 57) died at Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury.
Around 1260 Phillip Burnell was born to Hugh Burnell (age 35) at Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury.
In 1290 Maud Burnell Baroness Lovel and Burnell was born to Phillip Burnell (age 25) and Matilda aka Maud Fitzalan (age 27) at Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury. She married (1) John Lovell 2nd Baron Lovel, son of John Lovell 1st Baron Lovel and Joan Ros Baroness Lovel, and had issue (2) 1315 John Haudlo aka Burnell and had issue.
William Burnell was born to William Burnell at Acton Burnell, Shrewsbury.
Acton Burnell Castle is also in Castles in Shropshire.
On 1st August 1264 Phillip Burnell was born to Hugh Burnell (age 21) at Acton Burnell Castle [Map]. He married Matilda aka Maud Fitzalan, daughter of John Fitzalan 7th Earl of Arundel and Isabella Mortimer Countess Arundel, and had issue.
In 1315 Edward Burnell (age 29) died. Baron Burnell extinct. His widow Aline Despencer Baroness Burnell retained Acton Burnell Castle [Map]. His sister Maud Burnell Baroness Lovel and Burnell (age 25) inherited his estates.
On 5th August 1346 John Haudlo aka Burnell (age 79) died at Acton Burnell Castle [Map].
Around 1347 Hugh Burnell 2nd Baron Burnell was born to Nicholas Haudlo Burnell 1st Baron Burnell (age 21) at Acton Burnell Castle [Map]. He married (1) 1375 Philippa Pole Baroness Burnell, daughter of Michael de la Pole 1st Earl Suffolk and Katherine Wingfield Countess Suffolk, and had issue (2) March 1386 Joyce Botetort 3rd Baroness Botetort (3) before 29th January 1408 his fifth cousin once removed Joan Devereux 3rd Baroness Devereux Baroness Burnell, daughter of John Devereux 1st Baron Devereux and Margaret Vere Baroness Devereux and Beaumont.
On 7th November 1827 John Smythe 8th Baronet was born to Edward Joseph Smythe 6th Baronet (age 40) at Acton Burnell Castle [Map].
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
St Mary's Church, Acton Burnell. A delightful 1280's church, built by Robert Burnell, close to the castle he also built, the chancel is particularly good. There are fine monuments here, particularly one to Sir Richard Lee and his wife from 1591. The nearby castle is looked after by English Heritage and free to visit.