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.
Paternal Family Tree: Herbert
Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Merbury
24th July 1469 Battle of Edgecote Moor aka Danes Moor aka Banbury
Before 5th March 1451 [his father] William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 28] and [his mother] Anne Devereux [aged 21] were married.
On 5th March 1451 William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon was born to [his father] William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 28] and [his mother] Anne Devereux [aged 21].
In 1461 [his father] William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 38] was created 1st Baron Herbert of Raglan.
On 1st September 1466 a double wedding ceremony was held whereby two siblings, children of William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke [aged 43] married:
William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 15] and Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon [aged 10] were married. See Woodville Marriages. She the daughter of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 51]. He the son of William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke and Anne Devereux [aged 36].
Thomas Talbot 2nd Viscount Lisle [aged 17] and Margaret Herbert Viscountess Lisle were married. She the daughter of William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke and Anne Devereux. They were half fifth cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward I of England.
On 27th May 1468 [his father] William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 45] was created 1st Earl Pembroke.
On 24th July 1469 the Yorkist army suffered a defeat against a Lancastrian army led by Robin of Redesdale at the Battle of Edgecote Moor. The Yorkist army was commanded by Humphrey Stafford 1st Earl Devon [aged 30] and [his father] William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 46].
[his uncle] Thomas Vaughan [aged 69], John Wogan, Henry Neville [aged 32], John Conyers [aged 36], and brothers John Dudley [aged 42] and Oliver Dudley were killed.
Humphrey Stafford 1st Earl Devon, John Conyers [aged 58] and William Parr [aged 35] fought.
[his father-in-law] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 64] and [his brother-in-law] John Woodville [aged 24] were captured.
On 27th July 1469 [his father] William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 46] was executed following his capture at the Battle of Edgecote Moor. His son William [aged 18] succeeded 2nd Earl Pembroke, 2nd Baron Herbert of Raglan. [his wife] Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon [aged 13] by marriage Countess Pembroke.
English Historical Literature in the Fifteenth Century Appendix 13. On the 21st day of the same month of May [1471], King Edward [aged 29] returned to the City of London in noble triumph, having Margaret [aged 41], formerly queen, led before his army in a chariot. He rode through the middle of the city, with banners and standards unfurled, as though on a campaign or expedition undertaken against the aforementioned Kentish rebels. In his company at that time were: His brothers, the Dukes of Clarence [aged 21] and [his future father-in-law] Gloucester [aged 18]; the Dukes of Norfolk [aged 46], Suffolk [aged 28], and Buckingham [aged 16]; the Earls of [his future brother-in-law] Northumberland [aged 22], Shrewsbury [aged 22], Rivers [aged 31], Essex [aged 67], Wiltshire [aged 43], and Pembroke [aged 20]. Among the barons and lords: Audley [aged 45], Stanley [aged 36], Grey of Ruthin [aged 17], the son and heir of the Earl of Kent [aged 54], Grey of Codnor [aged 36], Berners [aged 55], Cromwell1, Dacre2, Hastings [aged 59], Howard [aged 28]3, Dynham [aged 38], Cobham [aged 23], Mautravers [aged 21], the son and heir of Arundel [aged 53], Bourchier, Dudley [aged 70], Scrope [aged 33], and Ferrers [aged 16], along with many other nobles, knights, and esquires, and a greater number of mounted men than had ever been seen before.
Eodem mensis Maii die xxj rediit Rex Edwardus ad ciuitatem London, cum nobili triumpho, faciens secum adduci dictam Margaretam, olim reginam, in curru precedente exercitui. Et equitauit per medium ciuitatis, vexillis et standardis displicatis, tanquam in itinere et expedicione capta aduersus prefatos Kentenses, In cuius comitiva tune fuerunt duces de Clarence et Gloucester ipsius fratres; item duces de Northfolke et Southfolk, et de Bukyngham; item comites de Northumberland, de Shrovesbury, de Ryuers, de Essex, de Wyltshyre, de Pembroke; Barones, domini de Audeley, de Stanley, de Grey Ruthyn, films et heres de Comitis Cancie, de Grey Cotenor, de Barreners, de Cromwell, de Dacres, de Hastynges, de Howard, de Dynham, de Cobham, de Mautravers, filius et heres de Arundell, de Bourgcher, de Dudley, de Scrope, de Ferrers, cum aliis nobilibus, militibus et armigeris, ac multitudine equitum maiore quam ante sit visa.
Note 1. Unclear as to who this refers to since Ralph Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell died in 1456.
Note 2. Unclear as to who this refers to since Thomas Dacre 6th Baron Dacre Gilsland died in 1458, Ralph Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland died in 1461 and Humphrey Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 47] was created Baron Dacre in either 1473 or 1482.
Note 3. We take this to refer to Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk, son of John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk, referring to his subsiduary title.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
Around 1476 [his daughter] Elizabeth Herbert 3rd Baroness Herbert Raglan was born to William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 24] and [his wife] Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon [aged 20]. She married 2nd June 1492 her half sixth cousin Charles Somerset 1st Earl of Worcester, son of Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset and Joan Hill, and had issue.
Before 14th January 1478 [his brother-in-law] Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland [aged 29] and [his sister] Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland [aged 20] were married. She the daughter of [his father] William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke and [his mother] Anne Devereux [aged 48]. He the son of Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland and Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland [aged 56]. They were sixth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England.
In November 1478 [his brother-in-law] Bishop Lionel Woodville [aged 31] was appointed Dean of Exeter which he held until 1482.
In 1479 William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 27] was compelled to relinquish the Earldom of Pembroke by King Edward IV [aged 36] who gave it to his son.
Edward Prince of Wales [aged 8] was created 1st Earl Pembroke.
In compensation William was created 1st Earl Huntingdon. [his wife] Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon [aged 23] by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
Before October 1480 [his brother-in-law] Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 40] and Mary Fitzlewis Countess Rivers [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Rivers. The difference in their ages was 25 years. He the son of [his father-in-law] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers and [his mother-in-law] Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Around 1481 [his wife] Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon [aged 25] died.
On 17th April 1483 the coffin of Edward IV [deceased] was carried to Westminster Abbey [Map] by Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle [aged 21], John Savage [aged 39], Thomas Wortley [aged 50], Thomas Molyneux [aged 38], probably John Welles 1st Viscount Welles [aged 33] who had married Edward's daughter Cecily), John Cheney 1st Baron Cheyne [aged 41], Walter Hungerford [aged 19], Guy Wolston [aged 50], John Sapcote [aged 35], Thomas Tyrrell [aged 30], John Risley, Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 15], John Norreys, Louis de Bretelles and John Comyn 4th Lord Baddenoch.
Those in the procession included:
Thomas St Leger [aged 43], widow of Edward's sister Anne.
William Parr [aged 49].
William Stonor [aged 33].
Henry Ferrers [aged 40].
James Radclyffe [aged 43].
George Browne [aged 43].
Gilbert Debenham [aged 51].
John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk [aged 58] walked in front of the coffin with Edward's personal arms.
John Marlow Abbot Bermondsey followed by:
Bishop Thomas Kempe [aged 93].
Bishop John Hales [aged 83] (Bishop of Chester?).
Bishop Robert Stillington [aged 63].
Bishop William Dudley [aged 58].
Cardinal John Morton [aged 63] (as Bishop of Ely).
Bishop Edmund Tuchet [aged 40] (as Bishop of Rochester).
Bishop Peter Courtenay, and.
[his former brother-in-law] Bishop Lionel Woodville [aged 36].
Archbishop Thomas Rotherham [aged 59] brought up the rear.
Cardinal Thomas Bourchier [aged 65], then Archbishop of Canterbury, took no part due to infirmity.
John de la Pole Earl Lincoln 1st [aged 21]; the King's nephew,.
William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings [aged 52].
Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset [aged 28].
William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 32] (some sources say Earl of Huntingindon?).
William Berkeley 1st Marquess Berkeley [aged 57].
Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby [aged 48].
Richard Fiennes Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 68].
John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley [aged 82].
George Neville 4th and 2nd Baron Abergavenny [aged 43].
John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet [aged 57].
[his uncle] Walter Devereux Baron Ferrers of Chartley [aged 51].
Edward Grey 1st Viscount Lisle [aged 51].
Henry Lovell 9th Baron Marshal 8th Baron Morley [aged 7].
Richard Woodville 3rd Earl Rivers [aged 30].
John Brooke 7th Baron Cobham [aged 35].
Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby [aged 50].
John Bourchier 6th Baron Ferrers of Groby [aged 45].
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
Close Rolls Edward IV Edward V Richard III 1476-1485. On 5th November 1483 [his future father-in-law] King Richard III of England [aged 31]. Bridport, Dorset [Map]. Commission of array in Wales to the king's kinsman William, Earl of Huntingdon [aged 32], and James Tyrrell [aged 28], knight, for the resistance of the rebels. By K. by word of mouth.
The like to James Tyrell, knight.
In 1484 William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 32] and Katherine York Countess Huntingdon [aged 13] were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. She the illegitmate daughter of King Richard III of England [aged 31]. He the son of William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke and Anne Devereux [aged 54]. They were sixth cousins.
On 9th April 1484 [his brother-in-law] Edward York Prince of Wales [aged 10] died at Middleham Castle [Map] leaving his father [his father-in-law] King Richard III of England [aged 31] without an heir. Duke of Cornwall, Earl Salisbury, Earl Chester extinct.
Before 1485 [his brother-in-law] George Grey 2nd Earl Kent [aged 30] and [his sister] Katherine Herbert Countess Kent [aged 20] were married. She the daughter of [his father] William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke and [his mother] Anne Devereux [aged 54]. He the son of Edmund Grey 1st Earl Kent [aged 68] and Katherine Percy. They were sixth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England.
Patent Rolls. 8th March 1485. Westminster. Grant to the king's kinsman, William, Earl of Huntingdon [aged 34], and Catharine [aged 14] his wife of an annuity of 152l. 10s. 10d. from the issues of the king's possessions in the counties of Caermarden and Cardigan and of the king's lordship of Haverford West in South Wales until they shall have of the king's grant to themselves and the heirs of their bodies, lordships, manors, lauds and other possessions to the same value. By p.s.
On 27th July 1485 [his sister] Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland [aged 27] died.
After 1486 [his mother] Anne Devereux [deceased] died.
Before November 1487 [his wife] Katherine York Countess Huntingdon [aged 16] died.
On 25th November 1487 Elizabeth of York [aged 21] was crowned Queen Consort England at Westminster Abbey [Map].
Giles Daubeney 1st Baron Daubeney [aged 36], Edward Stafford 2nd Earl Wiltshire [aged 17], Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby [aged 34], Giles Daubeney 1st Baron Daubeney, [his former brother-in-law] Richard Woodville 3rd Earl Rivers [aged 34], William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 36] and Thomas Fitzalan 10th or 17th Earl of Arundel [aged 37], who carried the Rod and Dove, attended as did Cecily York Viscountess Welles [aged 18].
On 22nd May 1490 Edmund Grey 1st Earl Kent [aged 73] died. His son [his brother-in-law] George [aged 36] succeeded 2nd Earl Kent, 5th Baron Grey of Ruthyn. [his sister] Katherine Herbert Countess Kent [aged 26] by marriage Countess Kent.
On 16th July 1491 William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 40] died. Earl Huntingdon extinct. His daughter Elizabeth [aged 15] succeeded 3rd Baroness Herbert of Raglan.
Kings Wessex: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 10 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 16 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 11 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King John of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 20 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 15 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 19 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
GrandFather: William ap Thomas "Blue Knight of Gwent" Herbert 
Father: William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hywel Brecon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hywel Fychan Brecon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Llewellyn Brecon
Great x 1 Grandfather: Dafydd Gam Brecon
GrandMother: Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam "Star of Abergavenny" Brecon
William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Stephen Devereux 
3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter "Elder" Devereux 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandFather: Walter Devereux 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Crophull
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Crophull 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Theobald Verdun 2nd Lord Verdun 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Verdun Baroness Hussey 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Mortimer Lady Verdun 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Agnes Crophull 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Mother: Anne Devereux 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
GrandMother: Elizabeth Merbury