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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Biography of Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr Prince Deheubarth -1201

Paternal Family Tree: Aberffraw

Maternal Family Tree: Angharad Queen Consort Gwynedd 1065-1162

Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr was appointed Prince Deheubarth.

Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr was born to [his father] Rhys ap Gruffydd "The Lord Rhys" Dinefwr and [his mother] Gwenllian ferch Madog Mathrafal. Coefficient of inbreeding 6.94%.

Around 1155 [his father] Rhys ap Gruffydd "The Lord Rhys" Dinefwr (age 23) and [his mother] Gwenllian ferch Madog Mathrafal were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Madog ap Maredudd Mathrafal Prince Powys and [his grandmother] Susanna Aberffraw (age 18). He the son of [his grandfather] Gruffudd ap Rhys King Deheubarth and [his grandmother] Gwenllian Aberffraw Queen Consort Deheubarth. They were first cousins.

The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 2. We slept that night in the monastery of St. Dogmael [Map], where, as well as on the next day at Aberteivi [Map], we were handsomely entertained by [his father] prince Rhys (age 55). On the Cemmeis side of the river, not far from the bridge, the people of the neighbourhood being assembled together, and Rhys and his two sons, [his brother] Malgon (age 17) and Gruffydd, being present, the word of the Lord was persuasively preached both by the archbishop and the archdeacon, and many were induced to take the cross; one of whom was an only son, and the sole comfort of his mother, far advanced in years, who, steadfastly gazing on him, as if inspired by the Deity, uttered these words:- "O, most beloved Lord Jesus Christ, I return thee hearty thanks for having conferred on me the blessing of bringing forth a son, whom thou mayest think worthy of thy service." Another woman at Aberteivi, of a very different way of thinking, held her husband fast by his cloak and girdle, and publicly and audaciously prevented him from going to the archbishop to take the cross; but, three nights afterwards, she heard a terrible voice, saying, "Thou hast taken away my servant from me, therefore what thou most lovest shall be taken away from thee." On her relating this vision to her husband, they were struck with mutual terror and amazement; and on falling asleep again, she unhappily overlaid her little boy, whom, with more affection than prudence, she had taken to bed with her. The husband, relating to the bishop of the diocese both the vision and its fatal prediction, took the cross, which his wife spontaneously sewed on her husband's arm.

In 1189 Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr and Maud de Braose were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.

In 1190 Robert Beaumont 3rd Earl of Leicester died. His son Robert succeeded 4th Earl of Leicester. [his sister-in-law] Loretta de Braose Countess Leicester (age 5) by marriage Countess of Leicester.

Around 1196 Robert Beaumont 4th Earl of Leicester and [his sister-in-law] Loretta de Braose Countess Leicester (age 11) were married. She by marriage Countess of Leicester. He the son of Robert Beaumont 3rd Earl of Leicester and Petronilla Grandesmil Countess Leicester (age 61).

In 1197 Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr was released.

In 1197 Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr was imprisoned at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map].

On 28th April 1197 [his father] Rhys ap Gruffydd "The Lord Rhys" Dinefwr (age 65) died. He was buried at St David's Cathedral, Pembrokeshire [Map].

In 1199 Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr was captured by Gwenwynwyn ap Owain Mathrafal Prince Powys Wenwynwyn (age 22) at Cilgerran Castle [Map].

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.

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In 1200 [his brother-in-law] Bishop Giles de Braose 7th Baron Braose 5th Baron Bramber was appointed Bishop of Hereford.

On 25th July 1201 Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr died. He was buried at Strata Florida Abbey [Map].

On 29th December 1210 [his former wife] Maud de Braose died.

[his daughter] Lleucu verch Gruffydd was born to Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr and Maud de Braose. She married before 1210 Geoffrey Camville of Llanstephan and had issue.

[his son] Rhys Dinefwr was born to Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr and Maud de Braose.

[his son] Owain Dinefwr was born to Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr and Maud de Braose.