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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Corinthian Capitals is in Corinthian.
On 7th May 1592 Christopher Wray (age 68) died. He was buried in St Michael's Church, Glentworth [Map]. Monument to Sir Chistopher and his wife Anne Girlington. Elizabethan Period. Elephant and Castle Crest. Pink, white and blue-grey marble. Two recumbent effigies, Sir Christopher above and a little behind his wife, he in red robes, black cap and thick ruff; she in black robes, large ruff and hood. Four kneeling white marble daughters below. Ornate tomb recess above with flanking pink marble columns with white and gold Corinthian Capitals. Undersurface of Recess decorated with white and gold bay leaves. Plaque inscribed above with raised plaque above with Sir Christopher's son at prayer flanked by coats of arms and obelisks.
Anne Girlington: she was born to Nicholas Girlington. Christopher Wray and she were married. After 7th May 1592 Anne Girlington was buried at St Michael's Church, Glentworth [Map]. Before 18th October 1602 John Darcy 2nd Baron Darcy Aston and Anne Babington were married. She by marriage Baroness Darcy of Aston. They were sixth cousins.
On 14th January 1657 John Dutton (age 62) died. He was buried in Saint Mary Magdalene's Church, Sherborne [Map]. Sculpted by Thomas Burman (age 39). A shrouded upright effigy in white marble within a round-headed niche flanked by black marble columns with Corinthian Capitals and scrolled pediment with the Sherborne arms at the centre, above. Inscription plaques either side. Inscription to John Dutton below.
John Dutton: John Dutton and Anne King were married. She the daughter of Bishop John King. John Dutton and Elizabeth Bayntun were married. Before 5th October 1594 he was born to William Dutton. On 5th October 1594 John Dutton was baptised.
Thomas Burman: Around 1618 he was born. Around 1632 Thomas Burman was apprenticed to Edward Marshall. In the 1660s Thomas Burman employed six apprentices and assistants. On 17th March 1674 he died in the parish of St Martin in the Fields Church [Map]. He was buried at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden.
After 26th July 1723. Church of St Michael and All Angels, Edenham [Map]. Monument to Robert Bertie 1st Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (deceased) sculpted by Peter Scheemakers (age 32) and Henry Cheere 1st Baronet (age 20). A Classical Period with Corinthian Capitals supporting open dentilated pediment with garland, urns and putti. Before the Aedicule a rounded Pedestal supports a marble image of the deceased attired as a Roman General.
