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 George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer 1758-1834

Paternal Family Tree: Spencer

Maternal Family Tree: Anna Maria Mordaunt 1771

On 20th December 1755 [his father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer [aged 21] and [his mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 18] were married at Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map]. He the son of [his grandfather] John Spencer and [his grandmother] Georgiana Caroline Carteret [aged 39].

On 1st September 1758 George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer was born to [his father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer [aged 23] and [his mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 21].

On 3rd April 1761 [his father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer [aged 26] was created 1st Viscount Spencer, 1st Baron Spencer Althorp. [his mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 23] by marriage Viscountess Spencer, 1st Baroness Spencer Althorp.

On 1st November 1765 [his father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer [aged 30] was created 1st Earl Spencer, 1st Viscount Althorp. [his mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 28] by marriage Countess Spencer, 1st Viscountess Althorp.

Around 1774 Angelica Kauffmann [aged 32]. Portrait of siblings [his sister] Georgiana [aged 16], Henriette [aged 12] and George [aged 15] Spencer.

On 7th June 1774 [his brother-in-law] William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire [aged 26] and [his sister] Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire [aged 17] were married at St Mary's Church, Wimbledon. It was her 17th birthday. She by marriage Duchess Devonshire. She the daughter of [his father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer [aged 39] and [his mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 37]. He the son of William Cavendish 4th Duke Devonshire and Charlotte Elizabeth Boyle Marchioness Hartington. They were fourth cousins.

On 27th November 1780 [his brother-in-law] Frederick Ponsonby 3rd Earl Bessborough [aged 22] and [his sister] Henrietta Frances Spencer Countess Bessborough [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Countess Bessborough. She the daughter of [his father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer [aged 45] and [his mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 43]. He the son of William Ponsonby 2nd Earl Bessborough [aged 76] and Caroline Cavendish Countess Bessborough. They were fifth cousins.

On 6th March 1781 George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 22] and Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 19] were married. She the daughter of Charles Bingham 1st Earl Lucan [aged 45] and Margaret Smith Countess Lucan [aged 41]. He the son of John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer [aged 46] and Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 43].

In 1782 [his son] John Charles Spencer 3rd Earl Spencer was born to George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 23] and [his wife] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 20].

On 31st October 1783 [his father] John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer [aged 48] died at Bath, Somerset [Map]. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Great Brington, Northamptonshire. His son George [aged 25] succeeded 2nd Earl Spencer, 2nd Viscount Althorp, 2nd Viscount Spencer, 2nd Baron Spencer Althorp. [his wife] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 21] by marriage Countess Spencer.

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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On 29th July 1787 [his daughter] Sarah Spencer was born to George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 28] and [his wife] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 25]. She married March 1813 William Henry Lyttelton 3rd Baron Lyttelton, son of William Henry Lyttelton 1st Baron Lyttelton and Caroline Bristow Baroness Lyttelton, and had issue.

In 1789 [his son] Richard Spencer was born to George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 30] and [his wife] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 27]. He died aged two in 1791.

In 1791 [his son] Richard Spencer [aged 2] died.

In 1791 [his son] Robert Cavendish Spencer was born to George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 32] and [his wife] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 29].

In 1792 [his son] William Spencer was born to George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 33] and [his wife] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 30]. He died aged less than one years old.

In 1792 [his son] William Spencer died.

In 1793 [his daughter] Harriet Spencer was born to George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 34] and [his wife] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 31]. She died aged less than one years old.

In 1793 [his daughter] Harriet Spencer died.

In 1794 [his daughter] Georgiana Spencer was born to George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 35] and [his wife] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 32]. She married 14th April 1814 her fifth cousin once removed George Taylour aka Quin, son of Thomas Taylour 1st Marquess of Headfort and Mary Quin Marchioness of Headfort, and had issue.

On 26th May 1794 [his brother-in-law] Richard Bingham 2nd Earl Lucan [aged 29] and Elizabeth Belasyse Duchess Norfolk [aged 24] were married. She the daughter of Henry Belasyse 2nd Earl Fauconberg [aged 52] and Charlotte Lamb Countess Fauconberg. He the son of [his father-in-law] Charles Bingham 1st Earl Lucan [aged 58] and [his mother-in-law] Margaret Smith Countess Lucan [aged 54].

The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.

On 14th April 1798 [his son] Frederick Spencer 4th Earl Spencer was born to George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 39] and [his wife] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 36]. He married (1) 23rd February 1830 his second cousin Elizabeth Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer and had issue (2) 1851 Adelaide Horatia Seymour-Conway Countess Spencer and had issue.

In 1799 George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 40] was appointed 621st Knight of the Garter by King George III of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 60].

In 1799 [his son] George Spencer was born to George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 40] and [his wife] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 37].

On 29th March 1799 [his father-in-law] Charles Bingham 1st Earl Lucan [aged 63] died. His son [his brother-in-law] Richard [aged 34] succeeded 2nd Earl Lucan of Castlebar in Mayo, 2nd Baron Lucan of Castlebar in Mayo, 8th Baronet Bingham of Castlebar in County Mayo. Elizabeth Belasyse Duchess Norfolk [aged 29] by marriage Countess Lucan of Castlebar in Mayo.

Around 1800 John Singleton Copley [aged 61]. Portrait of George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 41].

On 30th March 1806 Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire [aged 48] died at Devonshire House [Map]. She was buried at Derby Cathedral [Map]. Her husband William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire [aged 58], her mother Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 68], her sister Henrietta Frances Spencer Countess Bessborough [aged 44] and her eight months pregnant daughter Georgiana Cavendish Countess Carlisle [aged 22] were present, as was Elizabeth Christiana Hervey Duchess Devonshire [aged 48], her husband's mistress and future wife.

In March 1813 [his son-in-law] William Henry Lyttelton 3rd Baron Lyttelton [aged 30] and Sarah Spencer [aged 25] were married. She the daughter of George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 54] and Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 51].

On 18th March 1814 [his mother] Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 76] died.

On 14th April 1814 [his son-in-law] George Taylour aka Quin [aged 22] and Georgiana Spencer [aged 20] were married. She the daughter of George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 55] and Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 52]. He the son of Thomas Taylour 1st Marquess of Headfort [aged 56] and Mary Quin Marchioness of Headfort. They were fifth cousin once removed.

On 11th November 1821 [his sister] Henrietta Frances Spencer Countess Bessborough [aged 60] died.

Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans

Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.

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In 1823 [his daughter] Georgiana Spencer [aged 29] died.

In 1830 [his son] Robert Cavendish Spencer [aged 39] died.

On 23rd February 1830 Frederick Spencer 4th Earl Spencer [aged 31] and Elizabeth Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 30] were married. He the son of George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 71] and Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 68]. They were second cousins.

In 1831 [his wife] Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer [aged 69] died.

In 1833 Henry William Pickersgill [aged 50]. Portrait of George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 74].

In 1834 George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer [aged 75] died. His son John [aged 52] succeeded 3rd Earl Spencer, 3rd Viscount Althorp, 3rd Viscount Spencer, 3rd Baron Spencer Althorp.

Royal Ancestors of George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer 1758-1834

Kings Wessex: Great x 21 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 10 Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Kings Scotland: Great x 20 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 13 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer 1758-1834
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Diana Spencer Princess Wales [1]

Ancestors of George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer 1758-1834

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Spencer 2nd Baron Spencer 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Spencer 1st Earl of Sunderland 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Penelope Wriothesley Baroness Spencer Wormleighton 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Spencer 2nd Earl of Sunderland 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Sidney 2nd Earl of Leicester 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Percy Countess Leicester 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Spencer 3rd Earl of Sunderland 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Digby 1st Earl Bristol 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: George Digby 2nd Earl Bristol 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Walcott

Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Digby Countess Sunderland 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Russell Countess Bristol 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

GrandFather: John Spencer 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Winston Churchill

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Drake

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Drake 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Helen Boteler 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Churchill Countess Sunderland 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Jennings

Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Jennings

Great x 2 Grandmother: Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough

Great x 4 Grandfather: Gifford Thornhurst 1st Baronet

Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Thornhurst

Great x 4 Grandmother: Susanna Temple

Father: John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: George Carteret 1st Baronet 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Carteret 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: George Carteret 1st Baron Carteret 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 1st Earl Sandwich 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jemima Montagu 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Jemima Crew Countess Sandwich 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: John Carteret 2nd Earl Granville 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Bevil Grenville

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Granville 1st Earl Bath

Great x 4 Grandmother: Grace Smith

Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Granville Baroness Gower

Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Wyche

Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Wyche

GrandMother: Georgiana Caroline Carteret 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Worsley 2nd Baronet 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Worsley 3rd Baronet 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Worsley 4th Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: James Herbert 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Herbert Countess Gainsborough 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Frances Worsley Countess Granville 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Thynne 1st Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Thynne 1st Viscount Weymouth 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Coventry Lady Thynne Kempsford

Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Thynne 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: Heneage Finch 3rd Earl Winchilsea 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Finch Viscountess Weymouth 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Seymour Countess Winchelsea 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Poyntz 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Poyntz 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Newdigate Poyntz 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Poyntz 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

GrandFather: Stephen Poyntz 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Mother: Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Mordaunt 4th Baron Mordaunt

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Mordaunt 1st Earl Peterborough 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Compton Baroness Mordaunt 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Mordaunt 1st Viscount Mordaunt 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Howard 3rd Baron Howard of Effingham 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard Countess Peterborough 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne St John Lady Effingham 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Lewis Mordaunt 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Carey 1st Earl Monmouth 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Carey 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Trevannion Countess Monmouth

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Carey Viscountess Mordaunt 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Smith

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Smith

GrandMother: Anna Maria Mordaunt 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England