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: Feilding
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Armstrong 1544
In 1606 [her father] William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh (age 19) and [her mother] Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh (age 23) were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] George Villiers of Brokesby (age 62) and [her grandmother] Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham (age 36).
In 1613 Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton was born to William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh (age 26) and Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh (age 30).
On 16 Jun 1622 James Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton (age 15) and Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton (age 9) were married. She the daughter of William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh (age 35) and Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh (age 39). He the son of James Hamilton 2nd Marquess Hamilton (age 33) and Ann Cunningham Marchioness Hamilton (age 37).
On 02 Mar 1625 [her father-in-law] James Hamilton 2nd Marquess Hamilton (age 36) died at Whitehall Palace [Map]. His son [her husband] James (age 18) succeeded 3rd Marquess Hamilton, 2nd Earl Cambridge, 2nd Baron Innerdale. Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton (age 12) by marriage Marchioness Hamilton.
Around 1630 [her son] Charles Hamilton was born to [her husband] James Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton (age 23) and Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton (age 17).
Around 1630 John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford (age 18) and [her sister-in-law] Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford (age 18) were married. She the daughter of [her father-in-law] James Hamilton 2nd Marquess Hamilton and [her mother-in-law] Ann Cunningham Marchioness Hamilton (age 45).
In 1631 [her daughter] Henrietta Mary Hamilton was born to [her husband] James Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton (age 24) and Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton (age 18).
In 1632 [her daughter] Anne Hamilton 3rd Duchess Hamilton was born to [her husband] James Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton (age 25) and Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton (age 19) in Whitehall Palace [Map].
In 1632 [her daughter] Henrietta Mary Hamilton (age 1) died.
In 1633 [her daughter] Susannah Hamilton Countess Cassilis was born to [her husband] James Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton (age 26) and Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton (age 20).
On 08 May 1633 John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford (age 21) was created 1st Earl Lindsay. [her sister-in-law] Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford (age 21) by marriage Countess Lindsay.
In 1635 [her son] James Hamilton was born to [her husband] James Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton (age 28) and Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton (age 22).
In 1636 [her son] William Hamilton was born to [her husband] James Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton (age 29) and Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton (age 23).
In 1638 [her son] William Hamilton (age 2) died.
Before 10 May 1638 Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton (age 25) died.
On 12 Apr 1643 [her former husband] James Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton (age 36) was created 1st Duke Hamilton. Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton by marriage Duchess Hamilton.
On 09 Mar 1649 at the Old Palace Yard, Westminster Palace three Royalist Lords were beheaded ...
Arthur Capell 1st Baron Capell Hadham (age 41) was beheaded. His son Arthur (age 17) succeeded 2nd Baron Capell Hadham.
Henry Rich 1st Earl Holland (age 58) was beheaded. His son Robert (age 30) succeeded 2nd Earl Holland. Elizabeth Ingram Countess Holland (age 26) by marriage Countess Holland.
[her former husband] James Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton (age 42) was beheaded. His brother [her former brother-in-law] William (age 32) succeeded 2nd Duke Hamilton, 3rd Earl Cambridge by special remainder.
John Owen (age 49) had been sentenced to death but was subsequently pardoned.
1839. Henry Pierce Bone (age 59). Portrait of Mary Feilding Duchess Hamilton.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
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 14 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of King Philip IV of France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Feilding of Newnham Paddock
GrandFather: Basil Feilding of Newnham Paddock in Monk's Kirby in Warwickshire
Father: William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh
Great x 1 Grandfather: Walter Aston of Tixall in Staffordshire
GrandMother: Elizabeth Aston
Margaret aka Mary Feilding 1613-1638 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Villiers
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Villiers
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Villiers
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Villiers of Brooksby Leicestershire
GrandFather: George Villiers of Brokesby
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Clarke
Great x 1 Grandmother: Collette Clarke
Mother: Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beaumont 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Beaumont 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Darcy 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Beaumont 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: George Pauncefote
Great x 1 Grandfather: Anthony Beaumont 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bassett 
11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bassett 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Bassett 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandMother: Mary Beaumont 1st Countess Buckingham 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Armstrong
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Armstrong