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: Manners
Maternal Family Tree: Mary Morris Countess Dover 1565-1648
On 15th July 1658 [his father] John Manners 1st Duke Rutland (age 20) and Anne Pierrepont (age 27) were married. See Lord Ross Divorce. She the daughter of Henry Pierrepont 1st Marquess Dorchester (age 52) and Cecilia Bayning. He the son of [his grandfather] John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland (age 54) and [his grandmother] Frances Montagu Countess Rutland (age 44). They were second cousins.
On 10th November 1671 [his father] John Manners 1st Duke Rutland (age 33) and Diana Bruce were married. She the daughter of Robert Bruce 2nd Earl Elgin 1st Earl Ailesbury (age 45) and Diana Grey Countess Elgin and Ailesbury (age 41). He the son of [his grandfather] John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland (age 67) and [his grandmother] Frances Montagu Countess Rutland. They were third cousin once removed.
On 8th January 1673 [his father] John Manners 1st Duke Rutland (age 34) and [his mother] Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland (age 16) were married. He the son of [his grandfather] John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland (age 68) and [his grandmother] Frances Montagu Countess Rutland. They were half first cousin twice removed.
On 18th September 1676 John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland was born to [his father] John Manners 1st Duke Rutland (age 38) and [his mother] Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland (age 19).
In 1679 [his father] John Manners 1st Duke Rutland (age 40) was created 1st Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire.
On 29th September 1679 [his grandfather] John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland (age 75) died at Nether Haddon, Derbyshire [Map]. He was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map]. His son [his father] John (age 41) succeeded 9th Earl of Rutland. [his mother] Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland (age 22) by marriage Countess of Rutland.
In September 1692 [his brother-in-law] John Leveson-Gower 1st Baron Gower (age 17) and [his sister] Catherine Manners Baroness Gower (age 17) were married. She the daughter of [his father] John Manners 1st Duke Rutland (age 54) and [his mother] Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland (age 35).
Before 21st October 1696 John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 20) and Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland (age 20) were married. He the son of John Manners 1st Duke Rutland (age 58) and Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland (age 39). They were sixth cousins.
On 21st October 1696 [his son] John Manners 3rd Duke Rutland was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 20) and [his wife] Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland (age 20). He married before 1718 Bridget Sutton Duchess Rutland, daughter of Robert Sutton 2nd Baron Lexinton and Margaret Hungerford Baroness Lexington, and had issue.
On 13th November 1697 [his son] William Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 21) and [his wife] Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland (age 21).
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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On 7th September 1700 William Russell 1st Duke Bedford (age 84) died at Bedford House Covent Garden. His grandson [his brother-in-law] Wriothesley (age 19) succeeded 2nd Duke Bedford, 2nd Marquess Tavistock, 6th Earl Bedford, 6th Baron Russell of Cheneys, 4th Baron Russell of Thornhaugh, 2nd Baron Howland of Streatham.
In 1702 [his brother-in-law] Wriothesley Russell 2nd Duke Bedford (age 21) was appointed 511th Knight of the Garter by Queen Anne of England Scotland and Ireland (age 36).
In 1703 [his brother-in-law] John Leveson-Gower 1st Baron Gower (age 27) was created 1st Baron Gower. [his sister] Catherine Manners Baroness Gower (age 27) by marriage Baroness Gower.
On 29th March 1703 [his father] John Manners 1st Duke Rutland (age 64) was created 1st Duke Rutland, 1st Marquess Grandby. [his mother] Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland (age 46) by marriage Duchess Rutland.
Before 13th August 1703 [his brother-in-law] Wriothesley Russell 2nd Duke Bedford (age 22) and Elizabeth Howland Duchess Bedford (age 21) were married. She by marriage Duchess Bedford.
On 18th August 1707 William Cavendish 1st Duke Devonshire (age 67) died. His son William (age 35) succeeded 2nd Duke Devonshire, 5th Earl Devonshire, 5th Baron Cavendish Hardwick. [his sister-in-law] Rachel Russell Duchess Devonshire (age 33) by marriage Duchess Devonshire.
Before 1708 [his brother-in-law] Baptist Noel 3rd Earl Gainsborough (age 23) and [his sister] Dorothy Manners Countess Gainsborough (age 17) were married. She by marriage Countess Gainsborough. She the daughter of [his father] John Manners 1st Duke Rutland (age 69) and [his mother] Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland (age 50). They were first cousins.
In 1709 [his daughter] Elizabeth Manners Viscountess Galway was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 32) and [his wife] Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland (age 32). She married in or before 1725 John Monckton 1st Viscount Galway and had issue.
On 10th January 1711 [his father] John Manners 1st Duke Rutland (age 72) died at Belvoir Castle [Map]. His son John (age 34) succeeded 2nd Duke Rutland, 2nd Marquess Grandby, 10th Earl of Rutland, 2nd Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire. [his wife] Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland (age 34) by marriage Duchess Rutland.
On 26th May 1711 [his brother-in-law] Wriothesley Russell 2nd Duke Bedford (age 30) died. His son Wriothesley (age 3) succeeded 3rd Duke Bedford, 3rd Marquess Tavistock, 7th Earl Bedford, 7th Baron Russell of Cheneys, 5th Baron Russell of Thornhaugh, 3rd Baron Howland of Streatham.
On 30th October 1711 [his wife] Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland (age 35) died.
On 1st January 1713 John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 36) and Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland (age 28) were married. She by marriage Duchess Rutland. He the son of John Manners 1st Duke Rutland and Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland (age 56).
After 1st January 1713 [his son] Sherard Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 36) and [his wife] Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland (age 28).
In 1714 John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 37) was appointed 526th Knight of the Garter by King George I (age 53).
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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On 19th October 1714 [his brother-in-law] Bennet Sherard 1st Earl Harborough (age 39) was created 1st Baron Sherard of Harborough.
In 1715 [his brother-in-law] Bennet Sherard 1st Earl Harborough (age 40) was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Rutland.
Around 1717 [his daughter] Lucy Manners Duchess Montrose was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 40) and [his wife] Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland (age 32). She married 28th October 1742 William Graham 2nd Duke Montrose, son of James Graham 1st Duke Montrose, and had issue.
Before 1718 John Manners 3rd Duke Rutland (age 21) and Bridget Sutton Duchess Rutland (age 18) were married. He the son of John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 41) and Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland.
On 31st October 1718 [his brother-in-law] Bennet Sherard 1st Earl Harborough (age 43) was created 1st Viscount Sherard.
On 8th May 1719 [his brother-in-law] Bennet Sherard 1st Earl Harborough (age 44) was created 1st Earl Harborough.
In 1720 [his son] James Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 43) and [his wife] Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland (age 35).
Around 1721 [his son] Robert Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 44) and [his wife] Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland (age 36). He married 1st January 1756 Mary Digges and had issue.
In 1721 Charles Jervas (age 46). Portrait of John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 44) in his Garter Robes.
On 22nd February 1721 John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland (age 44) died. His son John (age 24) succeeded 3rd Duke Rutland, 3rd Marquess Grandby, 11th Earl of Rutland, 3rd Baron Manners of Haddon in Derbyshire. Bridget Sutton Duchess Rutland (age 21) by marriage Duchess Rutland.
In 1751 [his former wife] Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland (age 66) died.
[his son] Charles Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland.
[his daughter] Rachel Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland.
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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[his daughter] Caroline Manners Lady Harpur and Burdett was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland. She married (1) 2nd October 1734 her half fifth cousin Henry Harpur 5th Baronet, son of John Harpur 4th Baronet and Catherine Crew Lady Harpur, and had issue (2) 17th July 1753 her half sixth cousin Robert Burdett 4th Baronet (3) 17th July 1753 Caroline Burdett.
[his daughter] Catherine Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland. She married 29th October 1726 her fourth cousin Henry Pelham, son of Thomas Pelham 1st Baron Pelham of Laughton and Grace Holles, and had issue.
[his son] Wriothesley Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland.
[his son] George Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland.
[his son] Thomas Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland.
[his son] Edward Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland.
[his son] Henry Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Lucy Sherard Duchess Rutland.
[his daughter] Frances Manners was born to John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland and Catherine Russell Duchess Rutland. She married Richard Arundell, son of John Arundell 2nd Baron Arundel of Trerice and Barbara Slingsby Countess Pembroke and Montgomery.
Kings Wessex: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 25 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
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 Grandfather: John Manners 5 x Great Grand Son 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
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Manners 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Vernon 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Vernon "King of the Peak" 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Dymoke aka Mistress Coffin 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Vernon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Tailboys 9th Baron Kyme 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Tailboys 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Gascoigne Baroness Kyme 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Pierrepont 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Pierrepont 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Empson
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Pierrepont 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Thwaites
Great x 3 Grandmother: Winifred Thwaites
Great x 1 Grandmother: Grace Pierrepont 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cavendish 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cavendish 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Smith
Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Cavendish 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Hardwick 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Bess of Hardwick Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Leeke 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Father: John Manners 1st Duke Rutland 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Dudley 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Roper of Well Hall 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Helen Roper
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Alexander Harrington 
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Harrington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Moton
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Sidney 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Lucy Sidney
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Pakenham
GrandMother: Frances Montagu Countess Rutland 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton
Great x 1 Grandmother: Frances Cotton 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Shirley 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Francis Shirley 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Shirley 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Giffard 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Giffard
John Manners 2nd Duke Rutland 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Noel 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Andrew Noel
Great x 2 Grandfather: Andrew Noel
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Hopton
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hopton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Noel 2nd Viscount Campden
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Alexander Harrington
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Harrington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Moton
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mabel Harrington
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Sidney
Great x 3 Grandmother: Lucy Sidney
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Pakenham
GrandFather: Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Hicks
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Hicks
Great x 2 Grandfather: Baptist Hicks 1st Viscount Campden
Great x 1 Grandmother: Juliana Hicks Viscountess Campden
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard May
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth May Viscountess Campden
Mother: Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Bertie Baron Willoughby 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Peregrine Bertie 13th Baron Willoughby 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Willoughby Duchess Suffolk 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Bertie 1st Earl Lindsey 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John de Vere 16th Earl of Oxford 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Vere Baroness Willoughby of Eresby 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Golding Countess of Oxford
Great x 1 Grandfather: Montagu Bertie 2nd Earl Lindsey 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Montagu Countess Lindsey 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Jeffrey of Chiddington Sussex
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Jeffrey
GrandMother: Elizabeth Bertie Viscountess Campden 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Cockayne 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cockayne
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Cockayne
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Medcalf
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Medcalf
Great x 1 Grandmother: Martha Cockayne Countess Holderness
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Morris
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Morris Countess Dover