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: Pierrepoint
Maternal Family Tree: Eleanor Gifford 1575
Gertrude Pierrepont Marchioness Halifax was born to [her father] William Pierrepont of Thoresby and [her mother] Elizabeth Harries aka Harris.
On 8th June 1628 [her father] William Pierrepont of Thoresby (age 20) and [her mother] Elizabeth Harries aka Harris (age 31) were married at St Martin's Church, Ludgate. He the son of [her grandfather] Robert Pierrepont 1st Earl Kingston (age 43) and [her grandmother] Gertrude Talbot Baroness Pierrepont Holme Pierrepoint (age 47).
On 24th January 1644 William Savile 3rd Baronet (age 32) died. His son [her future husband] George (age 10) succeeded 4th Baronet Savile of Thornhill.
Around 1650. Studio of Peter Lely (age 31). Portrait of Gertrude Pierrepont Marchioness Halifax.
In 1652 [her brother-in-law] Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne (age 21) and [her sister] Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 21) were married. He the son of William Cavendish 1st Duke Newcastle upon Tyne (age 59) and Elizabeth Bassett Countess Newcastle upon Tyne. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward IV of England.
On 9th June 1655 [her brother-in-law] Gilbert Holles 3rd Earl de Clare (age 22) and [her sister] Grace Pierrepont Countess de Clare (age 22) were married at St Giles' in the Fields Church [Map]. He the son of John Holles 2nd Earl de Clare (age 59) and Elizabeth Vere Countess Clare.
In 1656 [her future husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 22) and Dorothy Spencer Lady Savile (age 16) were married. She by marriage Lady Savile of Thornhill. She the daughter of Henry Spencer 1st Earl of Sunderland and Dorothy Sidney Countess Sunderland (age 38). They were half sixth cousins.
On 1st July 1657 [her mother] Elizabeth Harries aka Harris (age 60) died. She was buried at St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map].
On 2nd January 1666 John Holles 2nd Earl de Clare (age 70) died. His son [her brother-in-law] Gilbert (age 32) succeeded 3rd Earl Clare, 3rd Baron Haughton. [her sister] Grace Pierrepont Countess de Clare (age 33) by marriage Countess Clare
In 1672 George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 38) and Gertrude Pierrepont Marchioness Halifax were married. She by marriage Lady Savile of Thornhill. They were third cousins.
On 25th December 1676 William Cavendish 1st Duke Newcastle upon Tyne (age 84) died at Welbeck Abbey, Nottinghamshire [Map]. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son [her brother-in-law] Henry (age 46) succeeded 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne, 2nd Earl Newcastle upon Tyne, 10th Baron Ogle.[her sister] Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 46) by marriage Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne.
Around 1677 [her daughter] Elizabeth Savile was born to [her husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 43) and Gertrude Pierrepont Marchioness Halifax. She married 1692 her fifth cousin once removed Philip Stanhope 3rd Earl Chesterfield, son of Philip Stanhope 2nd Earl Chesterfield and Elizabeth Dormer Countess Chesterfield, and had issue.
On 31st December 1677 [her husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 44) was created 1st Viscount Halifax, 1st Baron Savile of Elland. Gertrude Pierrepont Marchioness Halifax by marriage Viscountess Halifax.
On 17th July 1678 [her father] William Pierrepont of Thoresby (age 70) died.
In 1679 [her husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 45) was created 1st Earl Halifax. Gertrude Pierrepont Marchioness Halifax by marriage Countess Halifax.
In 1680 [her brother] Gervase Pierrepont 1st Baron Pierrepont (age 31) and [her sister-in-law] Lucy Pelham Baroness Pierrepont Hanslape Buckingham were married.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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In 1682 [her husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 48) was created 1st Marquess Halifax. Gertrude Pierrepont Marchioness Halifax by marriage Marchioness Halifax.
On 10th August 1682 John Vaughan 3rd Earl Carbery (age 43) and [her step-daughter] Anne Savile Countess Carbery (age 19) were married. The difference in their ages was 23 years. She the daughter of [her husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 48) and Dorothy Spencer Lady Savile. He the son of Richard Vaughan 2nd Earl Carbery (age 82) and Frances Altham Countess Carbery.
Before 11th April 1684 [her step-son] Henry Savile (age 23) and Esther de la Tour de Gouvernet (age 18) were married. He the son of [her husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 50) and Dorothy Spencer Lady Savile.
In 1686 Richard Vaughan 2nd Earl Carbery (age 86) died. His son John (age 46) succeeded 3rd Earl Carbery. [her step-daughter] Anne Savile Countess Carbery (age 23) by marriage Countess Carbery.
In 1687 [her step-son] Henry Savile (age 26) died. His will written 07 Oct 1687...
Wheras my [her husband] father (age 50), the Lord Marquess of Halifax, by indenture 11 Apr., 36 Chas. II, did settle the reversion of a certain fee farm rent of £550 out of the manors of Bradbury and Hilton, co. Durham, after the death of the now Queen Dowager (age 45), unto himself, and after his decease unto me and my heirs. I give unto my dear wife Hester, Lady Eland (age 18), and her heirs, all such rent of £550, and other rents issuing out of the said manors. I make my wife sole executrix, and give her all my money, plate, jewels, furniture, and personal estate whatsoever. In presence of Carbery (age 44), Tho. Tenison (age 47), Wm. Smythe, Edward Browne. Proved 8 June, 1688, by Hester Savile.
On 24th November 1687 [her step-son] William Savile 2nd Marquess Halifax (age 22) and Elizabeth Grimston were married. He the son of [her husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 54) and Dorothy Spencer Lady Savile.
In January 1690 [her step-daughter] Anne Savile Countess Carbery (age 27) died in childbirth. She was buried at St Andrew's Church, Holborn [Map].
In 1692 [her son-in-law] Philip Stanhope 3rd Earl Chesterfield (age 18) and [her daughter] Elizabeth Savile (age 15) were married. She the daughter of [her husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 58) and Gertrude Pierrepont Marchioness Halifax. He the son of Philip Stanhope 2nd Earl Chesterfield (age 58) and Elizabeth Dormer Countess Chesterfield. They were fifth cousin once removed.
On 2nd April 1695 [her step-son] William Savile 2nd Marquess Halifax (age 30) and Mary Finch Duchess Roxburghe (age 18) were married. She by marriage Marchioness Halifax. She the daughter of Daniel Finch 2nd Earl Nottingham 7th Earl Winchilsea (age 47) and Essex Rich Countess Nottingham. He the son of [her husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 61) and Dorothy Spencer Lady Savile. They were fourth cousins.
On 5th April 1695 [her husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax (age 61) died apparently as a consequence of eating undercooked chicken. He was buried in the north aisle of the King Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son [her step-son] William (age 30) succeeded 2nd Marquess Halifax, 2nd Earl Halifax, 2nd Viscount Halifax, 2nd Baron Savile of Elland, 5th Baronet Savile of Thornhill. Mary Finch Duchess Roxburghe (age 18) by marriage Marchioness Halifax.
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.
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On 23rd September 1695 [her sister] Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 65) died.
In 1702 [her brother] Gervase Pierrepont 1st Baron Pierrepont (age 53) was created 1st Baron Pierrepont of Ardglass in Antrim in the Peerage of Ireland. [her sister-in-law] Lucy Pelham Baroness Pierrepont Hanslape Buckingham by marriage Lucy Pelham Baroness Pierrepont Hanslape Buckingham.
In July 1702 [her sister] Grace Pierrepont Countess de Clare (age 69) died.
In 1708 [her daughter] Elizabeth Savile (age 31) died. She was buried with her parentrrs in Westminster Abbey [Map].
In 1714 [her brother] Gervase Pierrepont 1st Baron Pierrepont (age 65) was created 1st Baron Pierrepont of Hanslope in Buckinghamshire. [her sister-in-law] Lucy Pelham Baroness Pierrepont Hanslape Buckingham by marriage Baroness Pierrepont of Hanslope in Buckinghamshire.
On 22nd May 1715 [her brother] Gervase Pierrepont 1st Baron Pierrepont (age 66) died. Baron Pierrepont of Ardglass in Antrim, Baron Pierrepont of Hanslope in Buckinghamshire extinct.
On 1st October 1727 Gertrude Pierrepont Marchioness Halifax died. She was buried with her husband [her former husband] George Savile 1st Marquess Halifax in the North Aisle of the King Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey [Map].
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 25 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Pierrepont 
7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Pierrepont 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Pierrepont 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Empson
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Empson
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Pierrepont 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Thwaites
Great x 2 Grandmother: Winifred Thwaites
GrandFather: Robert Pierrepont 1st Earl Kingston 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cavendish 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Cavendish 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Scudamore 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Cavendish 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Carrington Smith
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Smith
Great x 1 Grandmother: Frances Cavendish 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Harwick
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Hardwick 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Pinchbeck 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Bess of Hardwick Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Leeke of Hasland 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Leeke 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Vaux 
Father: William Pierrepont of Thoresby 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Hastings Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Dacre 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Greystoke 6th Baroness Greystoke Baroness Dacre of Gilsland 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Talbot 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Manners 11th Baron Ros Helmsley 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne St Leger Baroness Ros of Helmsley 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Paston 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Bridget Heydon 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
GrandMother: Gertrude Talbot Baroness Pierrepont Holme Pierrepoint 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Rayner
Gertrude Pierrepont Marchioness Halifax 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Harries of Cruckton in Shropshire
GrandFather: Thomas Harries aka Harris 1st Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Prowde of Sutton
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Prowde
Mother: Elizabeth Harries aka Harris
Great x 1 Grandfather: Roger Gifford
GrandMother: Eleanor Gifford