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.
Died from a fall from a horse is in Accident.
On 18th July 1232 John "Tadody aka Fatherless" Braose 8th Baron Bramber [aged 35] died from a fall from a horse at Bramber. His son William [aged 8] succeeded 9th Baron Bramber Feudal.
In 1242 Enguerrand Coucy III Lord Coucy [aged 60] died from a fall from a horse onto his sword.
On 19th March 1286 King Alexander III of Scotland [aged 44] died from a fall from a horse at Kinghorn Ness while riding in the dark to visit the Queen [aged 22] at Kinghorn in Fife because it was her birthday the next day. His granddaughter Margaret [aged 2] succeeded I Queen Scotland.
On 12th October 1343 Reginald "Black" I Duke Guelders [aged 48] died from a fall from a horse at Arnhem [Map]. His son Reginald [aged 10] succeeded II Duke Guelders, III Count Guelders. His wife acted as Regent to her nine year old son until 1344. His brother Edward Duke Guelders [aged 7], however, also claimed the title and a war of succession commenced.
On 6th June 1530 Boniface IV Marquis of Montferrat [aged 17] died from a fall from a horse. He was unmarried. His uncle John [aged 42] succeeded Marquis Montferrat.
On 28th January 1571 Anne Bourchier 7th Baroness Bourchier [aged 54] died from a fall from a horse at Benington, Hertfordshire. Her first cousin twice removed Walter [aged 29] succeeded 8th Baron Bourchier. Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 27] by marriage Baroness Bourchier.
Before 21st September 1624 John Leigh [aged 55] died from a fall from a horse. His will was proved 21st September 1624.
On 16th June 1691 Hugh Bamfylde [aged 28] died from a fall from a horse predeceasing his father.
On 8th May 1704 John Cordell 3rd Baronet [aged 26] died from a fall from a horse without issue. Baronet Cordell of Long Melford extinct.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 2nd December 1716 James Scudamore 3rd Viscount Scudamore [aged 32] died from a fall from a horse. Viscount Scudamore extinct. Holme Lacy House, Herefordshire [Map] was inherited by his daughter Frances [aged 5].
On 12th May 1724 William Strickland 3rd Baronet [aged 59] died from a fall from a horse during a fox hunt. His son William [aged 38] succeeded 4th Baronet Strickland of Boynton in Yorkshire. Catherine Sambrooke Lady Strickland [aged 18] by marriage Lady Strickland of Boynton in Yorkshire.
On 24th October 1733 John Stapylton 3rd Baronet [aged 50] died from a fall from a horse on the way to attend a parliamentary adoption meeting at York, where he was to be adopted as the Tory candidate for the county at the impending general election. His son Miles [aged 25] succeeded 4th Baronet Stapylton Stapleton of Myton in Yorkshire.
On 22nd March 1767 Francis Russell [aged 27] died from a fall from a horse while out hunting.
On 23rd October 1775 Edward Weld [aged 34] died from a fall from a horse. He had failed to sign his will so his estate, including Stonyhurst, went to his brother Thomas [aged 25]. His widow Maria Anne Smythe aka "Mrs Fitzherbert" [aged 19] was left nothing.
On 2nd October 1791 George Gordon Lord Haddo [aged 27] died from a fall from a horse at Gight aka Formartine Castle.
On 3rd July 1813 Arthur Annesley Roberts aka Powell died from a fall from a horse.
The Hampshire Chronicle 05 July 1813: "At the parish of Wherwell, on Arthur Annesley Powell, Esq. of that place, whose horse ran away and threw him off; and his head pitching against a stone it caused such a concussion, that, though he survived the fall several hours, he was totally insensible. Verdict Accidental Death."
On 4th February 1816 Robert Hobart 4th Earl Buckinghamshire [aged 55] died from a fall from a horse. His nephew George [aged 26] succeeded 5th Earl Buckinghamshire, 5th Baron Hobart, 9th Baronet Hobart of Intwood in Norfolk. Monument at All Saints' Church, Nocton [Map] sculpted by John "The Younger" Bacon [aged 39].
George Hobart-Hampden 5th Earl of Buckinghamshire: On 1st May 1789 he was born to George Vere Hobart. On 1st February 1849 George Hobart-Hampden 5th Earl of Buckinghamshire died. His brother Augustus succeeded 6th Earl Buckinghamshire, 6th Baron Hobart, 10th Baronet Hobart of Intwood in Norfolk.
On 1st November 1833 Richard Charles Hamond [aged 21] died from a fall from a horse whilst an undergraduate at Merton College, Oxford University.
On 20th June 1843 James Wheeler Unwin [aged 29] died from a fall from a horse at Brimington Hall Chesterfield [Map]. Memorial at St Peter's Church, Ellastone.
James Wheeler Unwin: Around 1814 he was born to Reverend Edward Unwin.
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.
On 11th October 1843 Bishop James Bowstead [aged 42] died from a fall from a horse. Monument at Holy Trinity Church, Eccleshall [Map].
On 25th October 1865 Henry Stevenson Blackwood [aged 46] died from a fall from a horse after riding into a rope which had been stretched across the road.
On 12th March 1868 General Mildmay Fane [aged 73] died from a fall from a horse whilst hunting. He was unmarried.
Monument to General Mildmay Fane at St Nicholas' Church, Fulbeck. Inscription ... In memory of General Mildmay Fane 7th son of the Honble H. Fane of Fulbeck who served in the Peninsula at the Battle of Vittoria, Assault & Capture of San Sebastian and the Battle of the Nile, also in the Campaign of 1815 including the Battle of Quatre Bras in which he was wounded. Died March 12th 1868, aged 73. This tablet was erected by officers of the 54th Regiment who served under him as their commanding officer between 1828 and 1851 in token of their great esteem for his memory and of honour, respect and love with which they regarded him.
On 28th March 1868 James Brudenell 7th Earl Cardigan [aged 70] died from a fall from a horse. His second cousin George [aged 63] succeeded 8th Earl Cardigan, 8th Baron Brudenell of Stonton in Leicestershire. Baron Brudenell Deene in Northamptonshire extinct.
On 25th May 1915 Adeline Horsey Countess Cardigan [aged 90] died.
Both were buried in St Peter's Church, Deene [Map]; he on 9th April 1868. Monument to James Brudenell 7th Earl Cardigan 1797 1868 sculpted by Joseph Boehm [aged 33]. Recumbent effigies on Sarcophagus, bronze sea horses (Brudenell Crest) at the bottom corners.
On 31st March 1925 Adam Scott [aged 49] died from a fall from a horse at the United Border Hunt meeting at Kelso.
On 3rd October 1936 Coplestone John de Grey Warwick Bampfylde [aged 22] died from a fall from a horse shortly after representing his country as a member of the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games fencing team. The Bampfylde Memorial Garden in the churchyard of All Saints' Church, North Molton was created in his memory, being a walled and sunken lawned garden, in the centre of which stands his gravestone inscribed: In memory of Coplestone John de Grey Warwick Bampfylde, Royal Horse Guards, beloved only son of the 4th Baron Poltimore. Died 3 October 1936 in his 23rd year.
Frederick Johnstone 7th Baronet died from a fall from a horse. His son Frederick succeeded 7th Baronet Johnstone of Westerhall in Dumfries.