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: Compton
In 1758 [his father] Spencer Compton 8th Earl of Northampton [aged 19] and [his mother] Jane Lawton Countess Northampton were married.
On 24th March 1760 Charles Compton 1st Marquess Northampton was born to [his father] Spencer Compton 8th Earl of Northampton [aged 21] and [his mother] Jane Lawton Countess Northampton.
On 18th October 1763 [his uncle] Charles Compton 7th Earl of Northampton [aged 26] died. His brother [his father] Spencer [aged 25] succeeded 8th Earl of Northampton. [his mother] Jane Lawton Countess Northampton by marriage Countess of Northampton.
On 26th November 1767 [his mother] Jane Lawton Countess Northampton died.
On 18th August 1787 Charles Compton 1st Marquess Northampton [aged 27] and Maria Smith Marchioness Northampton [aged 21] were married. He the son of Spencer Compton 8th Earl of Northampton [aged 49] and Jane Lawton Countess Northampton.
On 2nd January 1790 [his son] Spencer Compton 2nd Marquess Northampton was born to Charles Compton 1st Marquess Northampton [aged 29]. He married 24th June 1815 Margaret Douglas-Maclean-Clephane Marchioness Northampton and had issue.
On 7th April 1796 [his father] Spencer Compton 8th Earl of Northampton [aged 57] died. His son Charles [aged 36] succeeded 9th Earl of Northampton. [his wife] Maria Smith Marchioness Northampton [aged 30] by marriage Countess of Northampton.
In 1812 Charles Compton 1st Marquess Northampton [aged 51] was created 1st Marquess Northampton, 1st Earl Compton of Compton in Warwickshire, 1st Baron Wilmington of Wilmington in Sussex. [his wife] Maria Smith Marchioness Northampton [aged 46] by marriage Marchioness Northampton.
On 24th June 1815 Spencer Compton 2nd Marquess Northampton [aged 25] and Margaret Douglas-Maclean-Clephane Marchioness Northampton [aged 23] were married. He the son of Charles Compton 1st Marquess Northampton [aged 55].
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.
On 24th May 1828 Charles Compton 1st Marquess Northampton [aged 68] died. His son Spencer [aged 38] succeeded 2nd Marquess Northampton, 10th Earl of Northampton, 2nd Earl Compton of Compton in Warwickshire, 2nd Baron Wilmington of Wilmington in Sussex. Margaret Douglas-Maclean-Clephane Marchioness Northampton [aged 36] by marriage Marchioness Northampton.
On 14th March 1843 [his former wife] Maria Smith Marchioness Northampton [aged 77] died.
Floor tiles at Church of St Mary Magdalen, Castle Ashby [Map]: Here lies the bodies of [his mother] Jane the first wife of [his father] Spencer Compton 8th Earl of Northampton, Charles Compton 1st Marquess Northampton, Mary his wife also of Spencer Second Marquis of Northampton and Margaret his wife and also his grandchildren.
Jane Lawton Countess Northampton: In 1758 Spencer Compton 8th Earl of Northampton and she were married. On 18th October 1763 Charles Compton 7th Earl of Northampton died. His brother Spencer succeeded 8th Earl of Northampton. She by marriage Countess of Northampton. On 26th November 1767 she died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 20 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 28 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Compton 1st Earl of Northampton 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Spencer Compton 2nd Earl of Northampton 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Spencer Countess Northampton 
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Compton 3rd Earl of Northampton 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Beaumont 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Beaumont Countess of Northampton 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Compton 4th Earl of Northampton 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden
Great x 4 Grandmother: Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Noel Countess Northampton
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Wotton 2nd Baron Wotton 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Hester Wotton Viscountess Campden
GrandFather: Charles Compton 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Fox of Farley Wiltshire 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Stephen Fox
Great x 3 Grandmother: Christian Palfreyman
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jane Fox Countess Northampton
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Whittle of the City of London
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Whittle
Father: Spencer Compton 8th Earl of Northampton 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Lucy of Charlecote 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Lucy 1st Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: Kingsmill Lucy 2nd Baronet
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Chapman
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Chapman Lady Lucy
Great x 1 Grandfather: Berkeley Lucy 3rd Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Berkeley 1st Earl Berkeley 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stanhope Baroness Berkeley 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Theophila Berkeley 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Massingberd
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Massingberd Couness Berkeley
GrandMother: Mary Lucy 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Cotton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Cotton
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Cotton 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Hutchinson
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Hutchinson 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Sacheverell 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella Hutchinson 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stanhope 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Stanhope 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Trentham
Charles Compton 1st Marquess Northampton 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Mother: Jane Lawton Countess Northampton