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.
Simon Pietersz Verelst is in Painters.
In 1644 Simon Pietersz Verelst was born to [his father] Pieter Hermansz Verelst (age 26) at The Hague.
In 1678 [his father] Pieter Hermansz Verelst (age 60) died.
Around 1678 Simon Pietersz Verelst (age 34). Portrait of Robert Kerr 1st Marquess Lothian (age 41).
Around 1680 Simon Pietersz Verelst (age 36). Portrait of Nell Gwyn (age 29).
Around 1680 Simon Pietersz Verelst (age 36). Portrait of Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland (age 60).
Around 1680 Simon Pietersz Verelst (age 36). Portrait of Mary of Modena Queen Consort England Scotland and Ireland (age 21).
Before 14th November 1687 Simon Pietersz Verelst (age 43). Portrait of Nell Gwyn (age 37).
Before 1710 Simon Pietersz Verelst (age 65). Portrait of Mary Savile Countess Isle Thanet.
Before 1710 Simon Pietersz Verelst (age 65). Portrait of Thomas Tufton 6th Earl of Thanet (age 65).
Thomas Tufton 6th Earl of Thanet: On 30th August 1644 he was born to John Tufton 2nd Earl of Thanet and Margaret Sackville Countess Isle Thanet. On 8th March 1684 Richard Tufton 5th Earl of Thanet died. His brother Thomas succeeded 6th Earl of Thanet, 6th Baron Tufton, 18th Baron de Clifford, 7th Baronet Tufton of Hothfield. On 14th August 1684 Thomas Tufton 6th Earl of Thanet and Catherine Cavendish Countess Isle Thanet were married. She by marriage Countess of Thanet. The difference in their ages was 20 years. She the daughter of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne and Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne. He the son of John Tufton 2nd Earl of Thanet and Margaret Sackville Countess Isle Thanet. They were fifth cousin once removed. On 30th July 1729 Thomas Tufton 6th Earl of Thanet died. Baron de Clifford abeyant. His nephew Sackville succeeded 7th Earl of Thanet, 7th Baron Tufton, 8th Baronet Tufton of Hothfield. Mary Savile Countess Isle Thanet by marriage Countess of Thanet.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Before 1710 Simon Pietersz Verelst (age 65). Portrait of Frances Wenman.
Frances Wenman: she was born to Thomas Wenman 2nd Viscount Wenman. In or before 1654 Richard Samwell of Upton and she were married. On 25th July 1677 Frances Wenman died.
Before 1710 Simon Pietersz Verelst (age 65) (attributed). Portrait of Penelope Wenman.
Penelope Wenman: In 1596 she was born to Richard Wenman 1st Viscount Wenman and Agnes Fermor. Before 1634 John Dynham and she were married. On 25th January 1664 Penelope Wenman died.
Before 1710 Simon Pietersz Verelst (age 65). Called Frances Hales Countess Fingall. Possibly Frances Hales Countess Fingall.
Frances Hales Countess Fingall: she was born to Edward Hales 3rd Baronet and Frances Windebank. Before 1695 John Bellew 2nd Baronet and she were married. After 7th September 1698 Peter Plunkett 4th Earl of Fingall and she were married. He the son of Luke Plunkett 3rd Earl of Fingall and Margaret Maccarthy Countess Fingall. On 6th August 1746 Frances Hales Countess Fingall died.
In 1710 Simon Pietersz Verelst (age 66) died.