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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Paternal Family Tree: Keppel
Before 5th June 1702 [his father] Arnold Keppel 1st Earl Albermarle [aged 32] and [his mother] Geertruid Johanna Quirina Van Der Duyn Countess Albermarle were married. She by marriage Countess Albermarle.
On 5th June 1702 William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle was born to [his father] Arnold Keppel 1st Earl Albermarle [aged 32] and [his mother] Geertruid Johanna Quirina Van Der Duyn Countess Albermarle at Whitehall Palace [Map].
On 16th June 1702 William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle was baptised with Queen Anne of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 37] as godparent at St Martin in the Fields Church [Map].
On 30th May 1718 [his father] Arnold Keppel 1st Earl Albermarle [aged 48] died. His son William [aged 15] succeeded 2nd Earl Albermarle, 2nd Viscount Bury in Lancashire, 2nd Baron Ashford of Ashford in Kent.
On 21st February 1722 William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle [aged 19] and Anne Lennox Countess Albermarle [aged 18] were married at Caversham, Reading. She by marriage Countess Albermarle. She the daughter of Charles Lennox 1st Duke Richmond [aged 49] and Anne Brudenell Duchess Richmond [aged 51]. He the son of Arnold Keppel 1st Earl Albermarle and Geertruid Johanna Quirina Van Der Duyn Countess Albermarle.
On 27th May 1723 [his father-in-law] Charles Lennox 1st Duke Richmond [aged 50] died. His son [his brother-in-law] Charles [aged 22] succeeded 2nd Duke Richmond, 2nd Earl March, 2nd Baron Settrington. Sarah Cadogan Duchess Richmond [aged 17] by marriage Duchess Richmond.
On 8th April 1724 [his son] George Keppel 3rd Earl Albermarle was born to William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle [aged 21] and [his wife] Anne Lennox Countess Albermarle [aged 20]. He a great grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. He married 20th April 1770 Anne Miller Countess Albermarle, daughter of John Miller 4th Baronet, and had issue.
On 25th April 1725 [his son] Augustus Keppel 1st Viscount Keppel was born to William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle [aged 22] and [his wife] Anne Lennox Countess Albermarle [aged 21]. He a great grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 5th November 1727 [his son] William Keppel was born to William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle [aged 25] and [his wife] Anne Lennox Countess Albermarle [aged 24]. He a great grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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On 19th January 1728 [his son] Bishop Frederick Keppel was born to William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle [aged 25] and [his wife] Anne Lennox Countess Albermarle [aged 24]. He a great grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. He married 13th September 1758 Laura Walpole and had issue.
In 1734 [his daughter] Caroline Keppel was born to William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle [aged 31] and [his wife] Anne Lennox Countess Albermarle [aged 30]. She a great granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. She married Robert Adair of Stratford Place and had issue.
In 1739 [his daughter] Elizabeth Keppel was born to William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle [aged 36] and [his wife] Anne Lennox Countess Albermarle [aged 35]. She a great granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. She married 8th June 1764 her fifth cousin once removed Francis Russell, son of John Russell 4th Duke Bedford and Gertrude Leveson-Gower Duchess Bedford, and had issue.
In 1745 Thomas Hudson [aged 44]. Portrait of William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle [aged 42].
In 1749 King George II of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 65] created new Garter Knights as follows:
560th Johann Adolph Wettin Duke Saxe Weissenfels,
561st King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 10],
562nd Charles William Frederick "The Wild Margrave" Hohenzollern [aged 36],
563rd Thomas Osborne 4th Duke Leeds [aged 35],
564th John Russell 4th Duke Bedford [aged 38],
565th William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle [aged 46],
566th John Carteret 2nd Earl Granville [aged 58].
On 8th August 1750 [his brother-in-law] Charles Lennox 2nd Duke Richmond [aged 49] died. His son Charles [aged 15] succeeded 3rd Duke Richmond, 3rd Earl March, 3rd Baron Settrington.
On 22nd December 1754 William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle [aged 52] died. His son George [aged 30] succeeded 3rd Earl Albermarle, 3rd Viscount Bury in Lancashire, 3rd Baron Ashford of Ashford in Kent.
On 20th October 1789 [his former wife] Anne Lennox Countess Albermarle [aged 86] died in Admiralty House Whitehall Palace.
Letters of Horace Walpole. P. S. I am very sorry for your sake that the Prince and Princess(10) are leaving Florence; if ever I return thither, as I always flatter myself I shall, I should miss them extremely. Lord Albemarle goes ambassador to Paris.
Note 10. Craon.
GrandFather: Oswald Keppel 
William Anne Keppel 2nd Earl Albermarle
GrandFather: Adam Van Der Duyn
Mother: Geertruid Johanna Quirina Van Der Duyn Countess Albermarle