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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Half Fourth Cousin Twice Removed is in Fourth Cousin.
In 1072 Philip I King of the Franks (age 19) and Bertha Gerulfing Queen Consort France (age 17) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Floris Gerulfing I Count Holland and Gertrude Billung Countess Holland (age 42). He the son of Henry I King of the Franks and Anne of Kiev Queen Consort Francia (age 42). They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
In or before 1130 Robert Newburgh (age 29) and Godehildis de Tosny (age 19) were married. He the son of Henry Beaumont 1st Earl Warwick and Marguerite Chateaudun Countess Warwick. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
In 1189 Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr Prince Deheubarth and Maud de Braose were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
Before 1217 Robert Quincy Earl Lincoln and Hawise Gernon 2nd Countess Lincoln (age 36) were married. She the daughter of Hugh de Kevelioc Gernon 5th Earl Chester and Bertrade Montfort Countess Chester. He the son of Saer Quincy 1st Earl Winchester (age 46) and Margaret Beaumont Countess Winchester. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
Before 1220 Walter Clifford 3rd Baron Clifford and Margred verch Llewellyn Baroness Clifford (age 17) were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. She a granddaughter of King John of England.
On 8th April 1269 Edmund "Crouchback" Plantagenet 1st Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Lancaster (age 24) and Aveline Forz 6th Countess Albemarle and Lancaster were married. She by marriage Countess Lancaster. She the daughter of William Forz 4th Earl Albemarle and Isabella Redvers 8th Countess Devon and Albemarle (age 31). He the son of King Henry III of England (age 61) and Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England (age 46). They were half fourth cousin twice removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
Around 1280 John Vesci and Isabella de Beaumont (age 20) were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.
In 1419 Thomas Harrington (age 19) and Elizabeth Dacre (age 11) were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 12th February 1424 King James I of Scotland (age 29) and Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland (age 20) were married at Southwark Cathedral [Map]. She by marriage Queen Consort Scotland. She the daughter of John Beaufort 1st Marquess Somerset and Dorset and Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence (age 39). He the son of King Robert III of Scotland and Annabella Drummond Queen Consort Scotland. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King John of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In or before 1462 Henry Bourchier and Elizabeth Scales Countess Rivers were married. He the son of Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex (age 57) and Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex (age 52). They were half fourth cousin twice removed. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Before 24th August 1494 Thomas West 9th Baron De La Warr 6th Baron West (age 19) and Elizabeth Bonville Baroness De La Warr and West (age 20) were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
In 1513 Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester (age 53) and Elizabeth West (age 26) were married. The date most likely incorrect since their daughter was born in 1497; unless of course the daughter's mother is mis-attributed. The after 1507 date is derived from the death of his first wife in Aug 1507. The difference in their ages was 27 years. He the illegitmate son of Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset and Joan Hill. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England.
In or before 1514 Edward Gorges (age 39) and Mary Poyntz (age 13) were married. The difference in their ages was 26 years. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
Before 1572 Randle Mainwaring (age 18) and Margaret Fitton (age 16) were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
In September 1603 Charles Howard 1st Earl Nottingham (age 67) and Margaret Stewart 1st Countess Nottingham (age 12) were married. She by marriage Countess Nottingham. The difference in their ages was 55 years. She the daughter of James "The Bonnie Earl" Stewart 2nd Earl of Moray and Elizabeth Stewart 2nd Countess Moray. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 3rd March 1605 George Manners 7th Earl of Rutland (age 25) and Frances Carey Countess Rutland (age 34) were married. He the son of John Manners 4th Earl of Rutland and Elizabeth Charlton Countess Rutland. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
On 28th February 1607 Grey Brydges 5th Baron Chandos (age 27) and Anne Stanley Countess Castlehaven (age 26) were married. She the daughter of Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby and Alice Spencer Countess Derby (age 57). They were half fourth cousin twice removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
In May 1614 Edward Rodney (age 23) and Frances Southwell were married at Somerset House [Map]. She the daughter of Robert Southwell and Elizabeth Howard Countess Carrick (age 50). They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
After 1627 John Digby and Catherine Howard were married. She the daughter of Henry Howard 15th or 22nd Earl of Arundel 5th Earl of Surrey 2nd Earl Norfolk (age 18) and Elizabeth Stewart Countess Arundel and Norfolk (age 17). They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
Before 30th July 1629 Thomas Leventhorpe 2nd Baronet (age 37) and Dorothy Alington Lady Leventhorpe (age 26) were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1635 Edward Cecil 1st Viscount Wimbledon (age 62) and Sophia Zouche (age 17) were married. The difference in their ages was 45 years. He the son of Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter and Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
On 21st May 1645 Heneage Finch 3rd Earl Winchilsea (age 17) and Diana Willoughby Countess Winchelsea were married. She by marriage Countess Winchilsea. He the son of Thomas Finch 2nd Earl Winchilsea and Cecily Wentworth Countess Winchelsea. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
On 16th November 1671 Philip Bourbon I Duke Orléans (age 31) and Elizabeth Charlotte Palatinate Simmern Duchess Orléans (age 19) were married. She by marriage Duchess Orléans. He the son of Louis XIII King France and Anne of Austria Spain Queen Consort France. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. She a great granddaughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland.
In or before 1697 Thomas Delves 4th Baronet (age 44) and Elizabeth Booth (age 23) were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years. She the daughter of Henry Booth 1st Earl Warrington and Mary Langham Countess Warrington. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
On 27th January 1759 Robert Brudenell (age 32) and Anne Bishopp (age 31) were married. He the son of George Brudenell 3rd Earl Cardigan and Elizabeth Bruce 3rd Countess Cardigan. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
In 1851 William Bagot 3rd Baron Bagot (age 39) and Lucia Caroline Elizabeth Agar-Ellis Baroness Bagot were married. They had two sons and five daughters. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
On 16th September 1868 Frederick Archibald Vaughan Campbell 3rd Earl Cawdor (age 21) and Edith Georgiana Turnor Countess Cawdor (age 24) were married. He the son of John Frederick Vaughan Campbell 2nd Earl Cawdor (age 51) and Sarah Mary Compton Cavendish Countess Cawdor (age 55). They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
On 5th August 1914 Edward Arthur Grosvenor (age 21) and Dorothy Margaret Browne (age 26) were married. She the daughter of Valentine Charles Browne 5th Earl of Kenmare (age 53) and Elizabeth Baring Countess Kenmare (age 47). He the son of Hugh Lupus Grosvenor 1st Duke Westminster and Katherine Cavendish Duchess Westminster (age 57). They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
On 24th March 1918 Archibald Montagu Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie 3rd Earl of Wharncliffe (age 25) and Maud Lillian Elfreda Mary Wentworth-Fitzwilliam (age 19) were married. She the daughter of William Charles de Meuron "Billy" Wentworth-Fitzwilliam 7th and 5th Earl Fitzwilliam (age 45) and Maud Frederica Elizabeth Dundas Countess Fitzwilliam (age 40). He the son of Francis Montagu Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie 2nd Earl of Wharncliffe (age 61) and Ellen Gallwey Countess of Wharncliffe (age 55). They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
John Stanley and Elizabeth Harrington were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Richard Cornwall and Joan Fitzalan were married. She the daughter of John Fitzalan 6th Earl of Arundel and Maud Verdun Countess Arundel. He the illegitmate son of Richard of Cornwall 1st Earl Cornwall and Joan Valletort. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. He a grandson of King John of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.