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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Ludlow, Shropshire is in Shropshire.
See: Broad Street, Ludlow, Castle Square, Ludlow [Map], Ludford Bridge, Shropshire [Map], Ludlow Castle [Map], St Laurence's Church, Ludlow [Map].
In 1100 Osbern St John 2nd Baron Burford [aged 60] died at Ludlow, Shropshire [Map]. His son Hugh [aged 20] succeeded 3rd Baron Burford Feudal.
Around 1304 William Verdun was born to Theobald Verdun 2nd Lord Verdun [aged 25] and Maud Mortimer Lady Verdun [aged 18] at Ludlow, Shropshire [Map]. He a great x 4 grandson of King John of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.90%.
Around 1305 John Verdun was born to Theobald Verdun 2nd Lord Verdun [aged 26] and Maud Mortimer Lady Verdun [aged 19] at Ludlow, Shropshire [Map]. He a great x 4 grandson of King John of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.90%.
On 23rd September 1459 a Lancastrian army of James Tuchet 5th Baron Audley, 2nd Baron Tuchet [aged 61] and John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley [aged 58] fought with a Yorkist army commanded by Richard Neville Earl Salisbury [aged 59] at Blore Heath, Staffordshire [Map] whilst he, Salisbury, was travelling to Ludlow [Map] to join up with the main Yorkist army. Forewarned by scouts Salisbury arranged his troops into battle order the night before, arranging his wagons defensively, and digging trenches.
The Yorkist army included John Conyers [aged 48], Thomas Harrington [aged 59], James Harrington [aged 29], John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu [aged 28], William Stanley [aged 24], Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley [aged 26], John Savile, Walter Strickland [aged 48] and John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock [aged 59].
The Lancastrian army included brothers John Dutton, Thomas Dutton [aged 38] and Peter Dutton who were killed.
James Tuchet 5th Baron Audley, 2nd Baron Tuchet was killed, probably by Roger Kynaston of Myddle and Hordley. His son John [aged 33] succeeded 6th Baron Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, 3rd Baron Tuchet. Anne Echingham Baroness Audley Heighley [aged 39] by marriage Baroness Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire, Baroness Audley of Heighley in Staffordshire.
John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley and Edmund Sutton [aged 34] were captured. Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles [aged 53] fought.
William Troutbeck [aged 23], Richard Molyneux of Sefton and John Egerton [aged 55] were killed.
After the battle Margaret of Anjou Queen Consort England [aged 29] took refuge at Eccleshall Castle, Staffordshire [Map]. Thomas Harrington, John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu and Thomas Neville [aged 29] were captured at Acton Bridge, Tarporley [Map] and imprisoned at Chester Castle [Map] having been detached from the main Yorkist force.
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Chronicle of Gregory. October 1459. The mysrewle of the kyngys galentys at Ludlowe [Map], whenn they hadde drokyn i-nowe of wyne that was in tavernys and in othyr placys, they full ungoodely smote out the heddys of the pypys and hoggys hedys of wyne, that men wente wete-schode in wyne, and then they robbyd the towne, and bare a-waye beddynge, clothe, and othyr stuffe, and defoulyd many wymmen.
The History of King Richard the Third by Thomas More. As soon as the King [aged 40] was departed, that noble Prince [aged 12] his son drew toward London, who at the time of his father's death kept household at Ludlow, Shropshire [Map] in Wales. Such country, being far off from the law and recourse to justice, was begun to be far out of good will and had grown up wild with robbers and thieves walking at liberty uncorrected. And for this reason the Prince was, in the life of his father, sent thither, to the end that the authority of his presence should restrain evilly disposed persons from the boldness of their former outrages. To the governance and ordering of this young Prince, at his sending thither, was there appointed Sir Anthony Woodville, Lord Rivers [aged 43] and brother unto the Queen [aged 46], a right honorable man, as valiant of hand as politic in counsel. Adjoined were there unto him others of the same party, and, in effect, every one as he was nearest of kin unto the Queen was so planted next about the Prince.
On 23rd April 1483 King Edward V of England [aged 12] left Ludlow, Shropshire [Map] with his uncle Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 43].
On 14th November 1501 Arthur Prince of Wales [aged 15] and Catherine of Aragon [aged 15] were married at St Paul's Cathedral [Map] by Archbishop Henry Deane assisted by William Warham Bishop of London [aged 51] and a further eighteen bishops. She wore a white satin dress with a farthingale and over her head wore a veil of fine silk trimmed with gold and pearls. She would, eight years later, marry his younger brother King Henry VIII of England and Ireland [aged 10] - see Marriage and Coronation of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. She the daughter of Ferdinand II King Aragon [aged 49] and Isabella Queen Castile [aged 50]. He the son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland [aged 44] and Elizabeth York Queen Consort England [aged 35]. They were half third cousin once removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Prince Henry who escorted her up the aisle and gave her away.
Cecily York Viscountess Welles [aged 32] bore the train, Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset [aged 24] was Chief Answerer.
Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex [aged 18] and Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham [aged 23] attended.
Thomas Englefield was appointed Knight of the Bath.
Immediately after their marriage Arthur Prince of Wales and Catherine of Aragon resided at Tickenhill Manor, Bewdley [Map] for a month. Thereafter they travelled to Ludlow, Shropshire [Map].
Before 25th April 1502 Prince Arthur's [deceased] body was transported from Ludlow, Shropshire [Map] to Worcester Cathedral [Map] via the River Servern in a special wagon upholstered in black and drawn by six horses, also caparisoned in black.
Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1529. 15th July 1529. Cott. App. XXVII. 147. B. M. 5774. Catharine of Arragon.
14. Deposition of Thomas visc. Rocheford [aged 52], 15 July, at the Friars Minors.
Is 52 years of age. To the 1st and 2nd articles, knows that Henry VII. and Elizabeth considered and named Arthur and Henry as their lawful sons, and they were everywhere so considered. To the 3rd and 4th, was present at St. Paul's in Nov. 17 Henry VII. at the wedding of Arthur and Catharine; Henry VII. was present in the consistory place, and a great number of Englishmen and Spaniards in the church. Believes the marriage was lawful. Arthur was above 15 years of age; which he knew from the books in which the births of the children of the kings of England are entered, and from the report of nobles present at his baptism. Heard from Spaniards that Catharine was more than 16, and she has often told him the same herself. After the marriage they dwelled together as man and wife, to his knowledge, at the King's court and at Ludleye [Map]. Believes the marriage was consummated, from their age. Heard from many who were familiar with the Prince, that the day after his marriage he said he had been in the midst of Spain. Believes the 5th, 6th and 7th articles to be true. To the 8th cannot depose. To the 9th, the King and Queen cohabited till about two years ago, when he heard that the King was advised by his confessor to abstain from intercourse with the Queen, so as not to offend his conscience. Believes the 10th, 11th and 12th articles to be true. Has not been subjected to undue influence.
States in answer to a question, that it is customary for brides, especially noble ladies, to be veiled during the blessing of the bed.
On 17th October 1583 Mary Hakluyt [aged 65] died at Ludlow, Shropshire [Map].
On 9th April 1588 Edward Littleton [aged 39] and Mary Walter [aged 22] were married at Ludlow, Shropshire [Map].
On 28th November 1607 Alice Townshend died at Ludlow, Shropshire [Map].
In 1913 Samuel Herbert Valentine [aged 56] was appointed Mayor of Ludlow, Shropshire [Map] which office he held until 1917.
Edmund Walter was born at Ludlow, Shropshire [Map].
The River Teme rises around three miles south of Dolfor [Map] in Powys. For much of its upper course it forms the border between England and Wales. It passes through, or near, Felindre, Radnoshire [Map], Knighton, Radnorshire [Map], Leintwardine, Herefordshire [Map], Bromfield, Shropshire [Map], Ludlow, Shropshire [Map], Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire [Map], Stanford Bridge, Worcestershire [Map], Shelsey Beauchamp, Worcestershire [Map], Leigh, Worcestershire [Map] and Bransford, Worcestershire [Map] after which it joins the River Severn around 3 km south of Worcester, Worcestershire [Map].
The River Corve rises near Bourton [Map] after which is flows south-west past Brockton, Shropshire [Map], Shipton, Shropshire [Map], Hungerford, Shropshire [Map], Culmington, Shropshire [Map]and Stanton Lacy, Shropshire [Map] joining the River Teme at Ludlow, Shropshire [Map].
In 1769 William Owen was born to Jeremiah Owen at 13 Broad Street, Ludlow. He was baptised at Ludlow Parish Church - probably St Laurence's Church, Ludlow [Map]. He married 2nd December 1797 Lener Leaf.
Castle Square, Ludlow is also in Castles in Shropshire.
Before 1924. Louise Ingram Rayner [aged 91]. 'The Buttercross, Ludlow [Map]'.