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: Stanley
Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Bettershorne 1353-1427
Edward Stanley and Lucy Percy were married. She the daughter of Thomas Percy 7th Earl of Northumberland and Anne Somerset Countess Northumberland. They were fourth cousins.
After 1451. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. The Stanley Monument to, on top, [his father] Thomas Stanley and [his mother] Margaret Vernon, below, their son Edward Stanley. The monument was originally beside the high altar.
The two epitaphs at each end of the monument are believed to have been written by William Shakespeare:
Ask who lyes heare but do not weep He is not dead he doth but sleep This stoney register is for his bones His fame is more perpetual than these stones And his own goodness with himself being gone Shall lyve when earthlie monument is none
Not monumental stone preserve our Fame Nor sky aspyring pyramids our name The memory of Him for whom this stands Shall outlive marble and defacers hands When all to tyme's consumption shall be geaven Standley for whom this stands shall be in Heaven
Thomas Stanley: he was born to Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby and Dorothy Howard Countess Derby. In or before 1563 Thomas Stanley and Margaret Vernon were married. He the son of Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby and Dorothy Howard Countess Derby. They were third cousin once removed. In 1576 Thomas Stanley died.
Margaret Vernon: In 1540 she was born to George Vernon "King of the Peak" and Margaret Tailboys. In 1610 Margaret Vernon died.
In or before 1563 [his father] Thomas Stanley and [his mother] Margaret Vernon (age 22) were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby (age 53) and [his grandmother] Dorothy Howard Countess Derby (age 51). They were third cousin once removed.
Around 1563 Edward Stanley was born to [his father] Thomas Stanley and [his mother] Margaret Vernon (age 23).
In 1576 [his father] Thomas Stanley died.
In 1600 [his daughter] Venetia Stanley was born to Edward Stanley (age 37) and Lucy Percy at Tong Castle, Shropshire [Map]. She married 1625 Kenelm Digby and had issue.
In 1610 [his mother] Margaret Vernon (age 70) died.
In 1613 Edward Stanley (age 50) sold Tong Castle, Shropshire [Map] to Thomas Harries aka Harris 1st Baronet (age 63).
In 1613 Thomas Harries aka Harris 1st Baronet (age 63) purchased Tong Castle, Shropshire [Map] from Edward Stanley (age 50).
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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In 1625 [his son-in-law] Kenelm Digby (age 22) and [his daughter] Venetia Stanley (age 25) were married.
In 1632 Edward Stanley (age 69) died.
[his daughter] Frances Stanley Lady Fortescue was born to Edward Stanley and Lucy Percy. She married her second cousin John Fortescue 1st Baronet and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 12 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 15 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 19 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley 1st Baron Stanley 
10 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Goushill Baroness Stanley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Stanley 9th Baron Strange Knockin 5th Baron Mohun Dunster 3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Neville Baroness Stanley 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley 2nd Earl of Derby 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Strange 3rd Baron Dunster 7th Baron Strange Knockin 
7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Strange 8th Baron Strange Knockin 4th Baron Mohun Dunster 8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cobham Baroness Strange and Mohun 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Strange 9th Baroness Strange of Knockin 5th Baroness Dunster 7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jacquetta Woodville Baroness Strange and Mohun 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of
GrandFather: Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Leonard Hastings 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Camoys 8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings Baron Botreaux, Hungerford and Moleyns 3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 2 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Hastings Countess Derby 4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Hungerford 3rd Baron Hungerford 1st Baron Moleyns 
6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Hungerford 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Moleyns Baroness Hungerford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Hungerford Baroness Hastings, 4th Baroness Hungerford, 5th Baroness Botreaux and 2nd Baroness Moleyns 4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Percy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Father: Thomas Stanley 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Howard 
3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Howard 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Tendring
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk 
2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Mowbray Baroness Grey Ruthyn 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk 
5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Moleyns
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Moleyns 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Beaumont 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Moleyns 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
GrandMother: Dorothy Howard Countess Derby 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick Tilney 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Tilney
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh Tilney
Great x 1 Grandmother: Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk
Edward Stanley 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Vernon aka Pembridge 
10 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Vernon 11 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Benedicta Ludlow
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Vernon 12 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Vernon 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John "Old Talbot" Talbot 1st Earl of Shrewsbury 
3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Talbot 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Neville 6th Baroness Furnivall 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Talbot 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: James "White Earl" Butler 4th Earl Ormonde 
3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Butler Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beauchamp Countess Ormonde 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of
GrandFather: George Vernon "King of the Peak" 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Dymoke 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Dymoke
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Dymoke 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles 
4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Welles 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan or Cecily Waterton
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin 7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Mother: Margaret Vernon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Tailboys 6th Baron Kyme 
11 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme 12 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Stafford Baroness Kyme 
11 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Tailboys 8th Baron Kyme 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville 
7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bonville Baroness Kyme 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Grey 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Tailboys 9th Baron Kyme 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Heron
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Heron of Ford Castle Northumberland
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Heron Baroness Kyme
GrandMother: Margaret Tailboys 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Gascoigne XII 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Gascoigne XIII 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Clarell Lady of the Garter
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Gascoigne 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Neville 2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Neville 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Gascoigne Baroness Kyme 4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Neville Countess Northumberland Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Percy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Poynings 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Poynings Countess Northumberland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Berkeley Countess Arundel 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of