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: Ivrea
Maternal Family Tree: Beatrice of Albon Duchess Burgundy 1161-1228
On 23rd January 1302 [his father] Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon [age 16] and [his mother] Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon [age 12] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Leon. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Denis I King Portugal [age 40] and [his grandmother] Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal [age 31]. He the son of Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon and Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were half first cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 13th August 1311 Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile was born to [his father] Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon [age 25] and [his mother] Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon [age 21]. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.60%.
On 7th September 1312 [his father] Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon [age 26] died. His son Alfonso [age 1] succeeded XI King Castile.
On 18th November 1313 [his mother] Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon [age 23] died.
In 1325 Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 13] and Constanza Manuel Queen Consort Castile [age 9] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. The marriage was annulled in 1327; there was no issue from the marriage. He the son of Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were second cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1325 the marriage of Eleanor of Woodstock Plantagenet [age 6] to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 13] was discussed but not pursued.
In 1328 Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 16] and Maria Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [age 15] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal [age 36] and Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal [age 35]. He the son of Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. They were double first cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1331 [his illegitimate son] Sancho Alfonso Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 19] and Eleanor Guzman.
In 1332 [his son] Ferdinand Ivrea was born to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 20] and [his wife] Maria Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [age 19]. Coefficient of inbreeding 14.45%. He died aged one in 1333.
In 1333 [his son] Ferdinand Ivrea [age 1] died.
In 1334 [his illegitimate son] Pedro Alfonso Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 22] and Eleanor Guzman.
On 13th January 1334 [his illegitimate son] Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 22] and Eleanor Guzman. He was one of twins.
On 13th January 1334 [his illegitimate son] Fadrique Alfonso Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 22] and Eleanor Guzman at Seville.
On 30th August 1334 [his son] Peter "Cruel" I King Castile was born to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 23] and [his wife] Maria Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [age 21]. Coefficient of inbreeding 14.45%. He married July 1353 his third cousin once removed Blanche Bourbon Queen Consort Castile, daughter of Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon and Isabella Valois Duchess Bourbon.
In 1336 [his illegitimate son] Fernando Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 24] and Eleanor Guzman.
In 1337 [his illegitimate son] Tello Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 25] and Eleanor Guzman.
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.
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In 1338 [his illegitimate son] Pedro Alfonso Ivrea [age 4] died.
On 24th August 1340 [his brother-in-law] Peter I King Portugal [age 20] and [his wife] Constanza Manuel Queen Consort Castile [age 24] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of [his uncle] Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal [age 49] and [his aunt] Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal [age 47]. They were second cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1341 [his illegitimate son] Juan Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 29] and Eleanor Guzman.
In 1342 [his illegitimate daughter] Juana Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 30] and Eleanor Guzman.
In 1343 [his illegitimate son] Sancho Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 31] and Eleanor Guzman.
In 1345 [his illegitimate son] Pedro Ivrea was born illegitimately to Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 33] and Eleanor Guzman.
On 15th November 1347 Peter IV King Aragon [age 28] and [his sister-in-law] Eleanor Burgundy Queen Consort Aragon [age 19] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. She the daughter of [his uncle] Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal [age 56] and [his aunt] Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal [age 54]. He the son of Alfonso IV King Aragon and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon. They were second cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 30th October 1348 [his sister-in-law] Eleanor Burgundy Queen Consort Aragon [age 20] died of plague. See Masearo, Condes de Barcelona, Volume 2, p. 274.
On 13th January 1349 [his wife] Constanza Manuel Queen Consort Castile [age 33] died.
In or before 1350 [his brother-in-law] Peter I King Portugal [age 29] and Inês Castro [age 24] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. There is some uncertainty as to whether they were married. He announced their marriage in 1357 after he succeeded, and after her death, thereby ensuring their children were legitimate. He the son of [his uncle] Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal [age 58] and [his aunt] Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal [age 56].
Around 1350 [his illegitimate son] Fernando Ivrea [age 14] died.
On 26th March 1350 Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile [age 38] died of plague. His son Peter [age 15] succeeded I King Castile.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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On 18th January 1357 [his former wife] Maria Burgundy Queen Consort Castile [age 44] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Godwinson: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 16 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 9 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 13 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand II King Leon 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso IX King Leon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Urraca Burgundy Queen Consort Leon 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso VIII King Castile
Great x 3 Grandmother: Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile 
Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Alfonso X King Castile X King Leon 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick "Barbarossa" Hohenstaufen I Holy Roman Emperor 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip King Germany
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice of Burgundy Holy Roman Empress
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elisabeth Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
GrandFather: Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso II King Aragon 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon
Great x 2 Grandfather: James I King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Marie Montpellier Queen Consort Aragon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Violante Barcelona Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Béla III of Hungary
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Andrew II of Hungary
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes of Antioch
Great x 2 Grandmother: Violant Árpád Queen Consort Aragon
Father: Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Afonso "Conqueror Founder Great" I King Portugal
Great x 3 Grandfather: Sancho "Populator" I King Portugal
Great x 4 Grandmother: Malfada Savoy Queen Consort Portugal
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso "Fat" II King Portugal
Great x 4 Grandfather: Raymond V Count Barcelona
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dulce Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal
Great x 1 Grandfather: Alfonso III King Portugal 
Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho III King Castile
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso VIII King Castile
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Ramirez Queen Consort Castile
Great x 2 Grandmother: Urraca Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England
GrandFather: Denis I King Portugal 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso IX King Leon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso X King Castile X King Leon 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip King Germany
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elisabeth Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Beatrice Queen Consort Portugal 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mayor Guillén de Guzmán
Mother: Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon
Great x 2 Grandfather: James I King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Marie Montpellier Queen Consort Aragon
Great x 1 Grandfather: Peter III King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Béla III of Hungary
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Andrew II of Hungary
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes of Antioch
Great x 2 Grandmother: Violant Árpád Queen Consort Aragon
GrandMother: Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Hohenstaufen VI Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 3 Grandfather: Frederick I King Jerusalem II Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 2 Grandfather: Manfred King Sicily
Great x 3 Grandmother: Bianca Lancia
Great x 1 Grandmother: Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Amedeo Savoy IV Count Savoy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy
Great x 2 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy Marchioness of Saluzzo 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh III Duke Burgundy 
2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Burgundy Countess Savoy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice of Albon Duchess Burgundy