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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Lambeth Palace is in Lambeth, Surrey [Map].
On 19th May 1280 Bishop Oliver Sutton [aged 61] was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln at Lambeth Palace [Map].
On 6th February 1446 Bishop Adam Moleyns was consecrated Bishop of Chichester at Lambeth Palace [Map].
On 27th October 1485 King Henry VII of England and Ireland [aged 28] and Robert Fitzroger 5th Baron Warkworth dined together at Lambeth Palace [Map].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 24th November 1554. [The same day cardinal Pole [aged 54] came from Gravesend [Map] by water, with the earl of Shrewsbury [aged 54], the lord Montagu [aged 25], the bishops of Durham [aged 80] and Ely [aged 48], the lord Paget [aged 48], sir Edward Hastings [aged 33], the lord Cobham [aged 57], and diverse] knyghts and gentyllmen, in barges, and thay all [did shoot the] bryge be-twyn xij and on of the cloke, and a-g[ainst] the steleard [Map] of Temes my lord chanseler [aged 71] mett [them in his] barge, and my lord of Shrousbury [had his] barge with the [talbot, all] ys men in bluw cotes, red-hosse, skarlett capes, [and white] fethers; and so to the cort gatt, and ther the Kyng('s) [aged 27] grace [met him] and inbrasyd hym, and so lad ym thrughe the kyng('s) hall;] and he had borne a-for hym a sylver crosse, and [he was arrayed in] a skarlet gowne and a sqware skarlett cape; and my lord [North] bare the swarde a-for the Kyng; and so they whent up unto the Quens chambur, and ther her grace [aged 38] salutyd hym; and after he toke ys leyffe, and toke ys barge to ys plase at Lambeth [Map], that was the bysshope of Cantorberys, Crenmer [aged 65], and so to dener.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th September 1555. The xx day of September was cared from Nugatt unto the lolrar stowre [Map] serten men.
Note. P. 94. The Lollards' Tower. When I wrote the note in this page, and another in p. 118, I was not aware that there had been any other "Lollards' Tower" than that still remaining at Lambeth. I have since noticed in Stowe's Survey that the southern bell-tower at the west end of St. Paul's cathedral was so called. The tower towards the north, next the Bishop's palace, was attached to "the use of the same palace; the other, towards the south, is called the Lollards' Tower, and hath beene used as the bishop's prison, for such as were detected for opinions in religion, contrary to the faith of the church." The last prisoner Stowe had known confined there was in 1573. It is probable therefore that our Londoner meant the Lollards' Tower nearest at hand.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 20th October 1556. The xx day of October was delivered out of the Lowlar towre [Map] alle the heretykes that cam out of Essex, and odur plassys, and so to kepe them good and truw to God and to the king and quen.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 15th July 1557. The xv day of July the Quen('s) [aged 41] grace dynyd at Lambeth [Map] with my lord cardenall Polle [aged 57], and after dener removyd to Rychmond [Map], and ther (her) grace tares ther her plesur.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 19th November 1558. The xix day of November ded be-twyn v and vj in the morning my lord cardenall Polle [deceased] at Lambeth [Map], and he was byshope of Canturbere; and ther he lay tyll the consell sett the tyme he shuld be bered, and when, and wher.
Note. Page 178. Death of cardinal Pole. It seems to have been supposed by some persons at the time, that Pole died on the same day as queen Mary; and it is so asserted by Hume and other writers. According to our diarist (who even mentions the hours) the cardinal survived the queen for two days.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 10th December 1558. The sam mornyng my lord cardenall [deceased] was [removed from] Lambeth [Map], and cared toward Canturbery [Map] with grett [company in] blake; and he was cared in a charett with [banner-]rolles wroth [wrought] with fyne gold and grett baners [of arms,] and iiij baners of santes in owllo [oil].
On 18th November 1559 Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall [aged 85] died in Lambeth Palace [Map].
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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On 17th December 1559 Archbishop Matthew Parker [aged 55] was consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace [Map] by Bishop William Barlow [aged 61].
On 21st January 1560 two Bishops were consecrated...
Bishop Nicholas Bullingham [aged 40] was consecrated Bishop of Lincoln.
Archbishop Thomas Young [aged 53] was consecrated Bishop of St David's at Lambeth Palace [Map] by Archbishop Matthew Parker [aged 55].
On 24th March 1560 Bishop Gilbert Berkeley [aged 59] was consecrated Bishop of Bath and Wells at Lambeth Palace [Map].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 29th July 1560. The xxix day of July the Quen('s) [aged 26] grace removyd from Grenwyche [Map] on her grace('s) progresse, and at Lambeth [Map] she dynyd with my lord of Canturbere [aged 55] and her consell; and after [took her] gorney towhard Rychmond [Map], and her grace lay ther v [5] days; and after to Ottland [Map], and ther So[nday and] Monday dener, and to Suttun to soper.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 16th February 1561. The sam day at Lambeth [Map] was consecratyd nuwe byshopes, master Horne [aged 51] of Wynchastur, and master Skamler byshope [aged 41] of Peterborowe.
On 7th February 1585 Bishop Richard Howand [aged 44] was consecrated as Bishop of Peterborough by Archbishop John Whitgift [aged 55] at Lambeth Palace [Map].
On 2nd November 1610 Archbishop Richard Bancroft [aged 66] died at Lambeth Palace [Map]. he was buried at St Mary at Lambeth Church, Surrey [Map].
On 11th May 1640 apprentices attacked Lambeth Palace [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 10th June 1640. London, and especially the Court, were at this period in frequent disorders, and great insolences were committed by the abused and too happy City: in particular, the Bishop of Canterbury's [aged 66] Palace [Map] at Lambeth was assaulted by a rude rabble from Southwark, Surrey [Map], my Lord Chamberlain [aged 55] imprisoned and many scandalous libels and invectives scattered about the streets, to the reproach of Government, and the fermentation of our since distractions: so that, upon the 25th of June, I was sent for to Wotton, Surrey [Map], and the 27th after, my father's [aged 53] indisposition augmenting, by advice of the physicians he repaired to the Bath, Somerset [Map].
Diary of Isabella Twysden 1645. 28th June 1645. the 28 June there was brought in to Lambeth hous [Map] from the atillirer yard 680 pore prisoners, part of those which were taken at nasby.
John Evelyn's Diary. 31st August 1663. I was invited to the translation of Dr. Sheldon [aged 65], Bishop of London, from that see to Canterbury, the ceremony performed at Lambeth Palace [Map]. First, went his Grace's mace bearer, steward, treasurer, comptroller, all in their gowns, and with white staves; next, the bishops in their habits, eight in number; Dr. Sweate, Dean of the Arches, Dr. Exton, Judge of the Admiralty, Sir William Merick, Judge of the Prerogative Court, with divers advocates in scarlet. After divine service in the chapel, performed with music extraordinary, Dr. French and Dr. Stradling (his Grace's chaplains) said prayers. The Archbishop in a private room looking into the chapel, the bishops, who were commissioners, went up to a table placed before the altar, and sat round it in chairs. Then Dr. Chaworth presented the commission under the broad seal to the Bishop of Winchester [aged 65], and it was read by Dr. Sweate. After which, the Vicar-General went to the vestry, and brought his Grace into the chapel, his other officers marching before. He being presented to the Commissioners, was seated in a great armchair at one end of the table, when the definitive sentence was read by the Bishop of Winchester, and subscribed by all the bishops, and proclamation was three times made at the chapel door, which was then set open for any to enter, and give their exceptions; if any they had. This done, we all went to dinner in the great hall to a mighty feast. There were present all the nobility in town, the Lord Mayor of London, Sheriffs, Duke of Albemarle [aged 54], etc. My Lord Archbishop did in particular most civilly welcome me. So going to visit my Lady Needham, who lived at Lambeth, I went over to London.
John Evelyn's Diary. 25th September 1665. My Lord Admiral [aged 40] being come from the fleet to Greenwich, I went thence with him to the Cock-pit, to consult with the Duke of Albemarle [aged 56]. I was peremptory that, unless we had £10,000 immediately, the prisoners would starve, and it was proposed it should be raised out of the East India prizes now taken by Lord Sandwich. They being but two of the commission, and so not empowered to determine, sent an express to his Majesty [aged 35] and Council, to know what they should do. In the meantime, I had five vessels, with competent guards, to keep the prisoners in for the present, to be placed as I should think best. After dinner (which was at the General's) I went over to visit his Grace, the Archbishop of Canterbury [aged 67], at Lambeth [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 14th April 1669. I dined with the Archbishop of Canterbury [aged 70], at Lambeth Palace [Map], and saw the library, which was not very considerable.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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On 11th November 1683 Bishop Francis Turner [aged 46] was consecrated Bishop of Rochester at Lambeth Palace [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 9th January 1684. I went crosse the Thames on the ice, now become so thick as to beare not onely streetes of boothes, in which they roasted meate, and had divers shops of wares, quite acrosse as in a towne, but coaches, carts, and horses, passed over. So I went from Westminster Stayres to Lambeth [Map], and din'd with the Archbishop [aged 66]: where I met my Lord Bruce, Sir Geo. Wheeler [aged 32], Coll. Cooke, and severall divines. After dinner and discourse with his Grace till evening prayers, Sir Geo. Wheeler and I walked over the ice from Lambeth Stayres to the horse ferry.
John Evelyn's Diary. 14th November 1685. I dined at Lambeth [Map], my Lord Archbishop [aged 68] carrying me with him in his barge: there were my Lord Deputy of Ireland, the Bp. of Ely [aged 48], and St. Asaph [aged 58], Dr. Sherlock, and other divines; Sir Wm Hayward, Sir Paule Rycaut, &c.
John Evelyn's Diary. 8th July 1686. I waited on the Archbishop [aged 69] at Lambeth [Map], where I dined and met the famous preacher and writer, Dr. Allix [aged 45], doubtless a most excellent and learned person. The Archbishop and he spoke Latin together, and that very readily.
John Evelyn's Diary. 21st February 1689. The Archbishop of Canterbury [aged 72] and some of the rest, on scruple of conscience and to salve the oaths they had taken, entered their protests and hung off, especially the Archbishop, who had not all this while so much as appeared out of Lambeth [Map]. This occasioned the wonder of many who observed with what zeal they contributed to the Prince's [aged 38] expedition, and all the while also rejecting any proposals of sending again to the absent King [aged 55]; that they should now raise scruples, and such as created much division among the people, greatly rejoicing the old courtiers, and especially the Papists.
John Evelyn's Diary. 12th April 1689. I went with the Bishop of St. Asaph [aged 61] to visit my Lord of Canterbury [aged 58] at Lambeth [Map], who had excused himself from officiating at the coronation, which was performed by the Bishop of London [aged 57], assisted by the Archbishop of York [aged 74]. We had much private and free discourse with his Grace concerning several things relating to the Church, there being now a bill of comprehension to be brought from the Lords to the Commons. I urged that when they went about to reform some particulars in the Liturgy, Church discipline, Canons, etc., the baptizing in private houses without necessity might be reformed, as likewise so frequent burials in churches; the one proceeding much from the pride of women, bringing that into custom which was only indulged in case of imminent danger, and out of necessity during the rebellion, and persecution of the clergy in our late civil wars; the other from the avarice of ministers, who, in some opulent parishes, made almost as much of permission to bury in the chancel and the church, as of their livings, and were paid with considerable advantage and gifts for baptizing in chambers. To this they heartily assented, and promised their endeavor to get it reformed, utterly disliking both practices as novel and indecent.
John Evelyn's Diary. 26th April 1689. I heard the lawyers plead before the Lords the writ of error in the judgment of Oates [aged 39], as to the charge against him of perjury, which after debate they referred to the answer of Holloway, etc., who were his judges. I then went with the Bishop of St. Asaph [aged 61] to the Archbishop [aged 72] at Lambeth [Map], where they entered into discourse concerning the final destruction of Antichrist, both concluding that the third trumpet and vial were now pouring out. My Lord St. Asaph considered the killing of the two witnesses, to be the utter destruction of the Cevennes Protestants by the French and Duke of Savoy, and the other the Waldenses and Pyrenean Christians, who by all appearance from good history had kept the primitive faith from the very Apostles' time till now. The doubt his Grace suggested was, whether it could be made evident that the present persecution had made so great a havoc of those faithful people as of the other, and whether there were not yet some among them in being who met together, it being stated from the text, Apoc. xi., that they should both be slain together. They both much approved of Mr. Mede's way of interpretation, and that he only failed in resolving too hastily on the King of Sweden's (Gustavus Adolphus) success in Germany. They agreed that it would be good to employ some intelligent French minister to travel as far as the Pyrenees to understand the present state of the Church there, it being a country where hardly anyone travels.
John Evelyn's Diary. 28th December 1691. Dined at Lambeth [Map] with the new Archbishop [aged 61]. Saw the effect of my greenhouse furnace, set up by the Archbishop's son-in-law.
John Evelyn's Diary. 6th July 1695. I dined at Lambeth [Map], making my first visit to the Archbishop [aged 58], where there was much company, and great cheer. After prayers in the evening, my Lord made me stay to show me his house, furniture, and garden, which were all very fine, and far beyond the usual Archbishops, not as affected by this, but being bought ready furnished by his predecessor. We discoursed of several public matters, particularly of the Princess of Denmark [aged 30], who made so little figure.
John Evelyn's Diary. 2nd May 1696. I dined at Lambeth [Map], being summoned to meet my co-trustees, the Archbishop [aged 59], Sir Henry Ashurst, and Mr. Serjeant Rotheram, to consult about settling Mr. Boyle's lecture for a perpetuity; which we concluded upon, by buying a rent charge of £50 per annum, with the stock in our hands.
John Evelyn's Diary. 6th May 1696. I went to Lambeth [Map], to meet at dinner the Countess of Sunderland [aged 54] and divers ladies. We dined in the Archbishop's wife's apartment with his Grace [aged 59], and stayed late; yet I returned to Deptford, Kent [Map] at night.
John Evelyn's Diary. 3rd August 1696. The Bank lending the £200,000 to pay the array in Flanders, that had done nothing against the enemy, had so exhausted the treasure of the nation, that one could not have borrowed money under 14 or 15 per cent on bills, or on Exchequer Tallies under 30 per cent. Reasonable good harvest weather. I went to Lambeth [Map] and dined with the Archbishop [aged 59], who had been at Court on the complaint against Dr. Thomas Watson [aged 59], Bishop of St. David's, who was suspended for simony. The Archbishop told me how unsatisfied he was with the Canon law, and how exceedingly unreasonable all their pleadings appeared to him.
On 30th August 1696 Philip Meadowes [aged 24] and Dorothy Boscawen were married by Archbishop Thomas Tenison [aged 59] at Lambeth Palace [Map].
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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John Evelyn's Diary. 6th September 1696. I went to congratulate the marriage of a daughter of Mr. Boscawen to the son [aged 24] of Sir Philip Meadows; she is niece to my Lord Godolphin [aged 51], married at Lambeth [Map] by the Archbishop [aged 59], 30th of August. After above six months' stay in London about Greenwich Hospital, I returned to Wotton, Surrey [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 18th December 1697. At Lambeth [Map], to Dr. Bentley, about the Library at St. James's.
John Evelyn's Diary. 24th May 1705. I dined at Lambeth [Map] with the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. King [aged 55], a sharp and ready man in politics, as well as very learned.
On 24th January 1737 Archbishop William Wake [aged 79] died at Lambeth Palace [Map].
On 3rd December 1738 Bishop Joseph Butler [aged 46] was consecrated Bishop of Bristol at Lambeth Palace [Map].
On 4th October 1747 Bishop John Thomas [aged 51] was consecrated Bishop of Peterborough at Lambeth Palace [Map].
On 1st October 1769 Bishop Shute Barrington [aged 35] was consecrated as Bishop of Llandaff at Lambeth Palace [Map] by Archbishop Frederick Cornwallis [aged 56].
On 21st August 1777 Charles Townshend 1st Baron Bayning [aged 47] and Annabella Smith-Powlett [aged 23] were married at Lambeth Palace [Map]. The difference in their ages was 24 years. They were first cousin once removed.
On 18th January 1805 Archbishop John Moore [aged 74] died at Lambeth Palace [Map]. He was buried at St Mary at Lambeth Church, Surrey [Map].
On 18th July 1807 Henry Pelham-Clinton 4th Duke Newcastle-under-Lyne [aged 22] and Georgiana Elizabeth Mundy Duchess Newcastle under Lyne [aged 18] were married in Lambeth Palace [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Newcastle under Lyme. He the son of Thomas Pelham-Clinton 3rd Duke Newcastle-under-Lyne and Anna Maria Stanhope Countess Lincoln.
On 21st April 1828 Archbishop Charles Manners-Sutton [aged 73] died at Lambeth Palace [Map].
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 4th August 1839 Bishop Aubrey Spencer [aged 44] was consecrated as Bishop Newfoundland at Lambeth Palace [Map].
On 1st December 1861 Bishop Charles Caulfield [aged 57] was consecrated Bishop of Nassau and the Bahamas at Lambeth Palace [Map].
Time Team Series 2 Episode 4: The Archbishop's Back Garden was filmed between 8th July 1994 and 10th July 1994. It was originally shown on 29th January 1995.
Location: Lambeth Palace [Map], London.
Tony Robinson [aged 48], Presenter
Mick Aston [aged 48], Bristol University Landscape Archaeologist
Carenza Lewis [aged 31], Field Archaeologist
Phil Harding [aged 45], Wessex Archaeological Trust Field Archaeologist
Robin Bush [aged 51], Archivist
Victor Ambrus [aged 59], Historical Illustrator
John Gator, Chris Gaffney, Geophysics
Jane Sidell, Museum of London Archaeologist
Stewart Ainsworth [aged 43], Landscape Archaeologist
Harvey Sheldon, Authority on Roman London
Gustav Milne, Institue of Archaeology
Hedley Swain, Field Archaeologist
London Fire Brigade Boat
Sources: Excavations of Bernard Davis in the 1930s, Cassius Dio Book 60 Sections 20 and 21, 1562 Map of London showing Horseferry Stairs and Stangate Stairs, Registers of the Archbishops of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace Library, 1746 Map of Lambeth Palace Gardens, John Rokes 18th Century Map of London
Techniques: Core Samples, Excavation, a string with a brick to determine rievr depth
Outcomes: Piece of a Mortarium, Reconstructed Roman Road, Garden features in the Palace, Roman River Level was lower by a couple of feet, Causeway on lower side of Westminster Bridge, Peer walked across 1950s1, location of Stangate Stairs.
Note 1. The New York Times 26th March 2002. Lord Noel-Buxton waded about half-way across the river and had to swim the rest.