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 Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard 1653-1723

Paternal Family Tree: Vane

Maternal Family Tree: Theodosia Noel 1585

On 1st July 1640 [his father] Henry Vane "The Younger" (age 27) and [his mother] Frances Wray (age 23) were married.

On 21st May 1653 Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard was born to [his father] Henry Vane "The Younger" (age 40) and [his mother] Frances Wray (age 36).

Trial and Execution of Henry Vane "The Younger"

On 14th June 1662 [his father] Henry Vane "The Younger" (age 49) was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map] for treason against King Charles II (age 32). He had been sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered, however, King Charles II commuted the sentence to beheading.

In 1675 Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard (age 21) was appointed MP County Durham.

On 9th May 1676 Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard (age 22) and Elizabeth Holles Baroness Barnard were married. She the daughter of Gilbert Holles 3rd Earl de Clare (age 43) and Grace Pierrepont Countess de Clare (age 43). They were half fifth cousin once removed.

On or after 9th May 1676 [his son] Henry Vane was born to Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard (age 22) and [his wife] Elizabeth Holles Baroness Barnard. He died the same year.

In 1678 [his son] Gilbert Vane 2nd Baron Barnard was born to Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard (age 24) and [his wife] Elizabeth Holles Baroness Barnard. He married before 1705 Mary Randyll Baroness Barnard and had issue.

On 18th December 1679 [his mother] Frances Wray (age 62) died. She was buried at Shipbourne, Kent.

On 17th February 1682 [his son] William Vane 1st Viscount Vane was born to Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard (age 28) and [his wife] Elizabeth Holles Baroness Barnard.

In 1688 Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard (age 34) was appointed Privy Council.

In 1689 Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard (age 35) was appointed MP Boroughbridge.

In 1698 Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard (age 44) was created 1st Baron Barnard. [his wife] Elizabeth Holles Baroness Barnard by marriage Baroness Barnard.

Before 1705 [his son] Gilbert Vane 2nd Baron Barnard (age 26) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Randyll Baroness Barnard were married. She by marriage Baroness Barnard.

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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On 28th October 1723 Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard (age 70) died at Shipbourne, Kent. His son Gilbert (age 45) succeeded 2nd Baron Barnard.

Ancestors of Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard 1653-1723

Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Fane of Hildenborough in Tunbridge

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Vane of Hadlow in Kent

GrandFather: Henry Vane "The Elder" 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Roger Twysden

Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Twyden 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Wyatt

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Wyatt 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Brooke 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Wyatt 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Haute

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Haute

Great x 4 Grandmother: Maria Guildford

Father: Henry Vane "The Younger" 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Darcy

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Darcy

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Darcy 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Mundy

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Mundy 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Juliana Browne 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Darcy 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

GrandMother: Frances Darcy 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Jacopo Guicciardini

Great x 2 Grandfather: Vincenzo Guicciardini

Great x 1 Grandmother: Camilla Guicciardini

Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Wray

Great x 2 Grandfather: Christopher Wray

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Jackson

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Jackson

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Wray 1st Baronet

Great x 3 Grandfather: Nicholas Girlington

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Girlington

GrandFather: Christopher Wray 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Drury 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Drury 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Sothill

Great x 2 Grandfather: William Drury 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Rich 1st Baron Rich

Great x 3 Grandmother: Audrey Rich

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Jenks Baroness Rich

Great x 1 Grandmother: Frances Drury Lady Glentworth 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Stafford 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Fogge

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stafford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 1st Baron Stafford 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Stafford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ursula Pole 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Mother: Frances Wray 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Cecil

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Heckington

Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter

Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Cheke

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Cheke

Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Cecil 1st Viscount Wimbledon 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Neville 3rd Baron Latimer 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Neville 4th Baron Latimer of Snape 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy de Vere 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Lucy Somerset Baroness Latimer Snape 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

GrandMother: Albinia Cecil 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Andrew Noel

Great x 1 Grandmother: Theodosia Noel

Biography of Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard 1653-1723

Royal Ancestors of Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard 1653-1723

Ancestors of Christopher Vane 1st Baron Barnard 1653-1723