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: Biddulph
In 1612 Theophilus Biddulph 1st Baronet was born.
In 1654 [his son] Michael Biddulph 2nd Baronet was born to Theophilus Biddulph 1st Baronet (age 42). He married (1) 31st December 1673 Henrietta Maria Whitley and had issue (2) 7th March 1697 Elizabeth D'Oyly.
On 4th December 1660 [his son] Simon Biddulph was born to Theophilus Biddulph 1st Baronet (age 48).
John Evelyn's Diary. 27th December 1662. I visited Sir Theophilus Biddulph (age 50).
On 2nd November 1664 Theophilus Biddulph 1st Baronet (age 52) was created 1st Baronet Biddulph of Westcombe in Kent being named for his home Westcommbe Manor Greenwich.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 3rd September 1665. Church being done, my Lord Bruncker (age 45), Sir J. Minnes (age 66), and I up to the Vestry at the desire of the justices of the Peace, Sir Theo. Biddulph (age 53) and Sir W. Boreman (age 53) and Alderman Hooker (age 53), in order to the doing something for the keeping of the plague from growing; but Lord! to consider the madness of the people of the town, who will (because they are forbid) come in crowds along with the dead corps to see them buried; but we agreed on some orders for the prevention thereof.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 24th December 1665. Then to church, and placed myself in the Parson's pew under the pulpit, to hear Mrs. Chamberlain in the next pew sing, who is daughter to Sir James Bunch, of whom I have heard much, and indeed she sings very finely, and from church met with Sir W. Warren and he and I walked together talking about his and my businesses, getting of money as fairly as we can, and, having set him part of his way home, I walked to my Lord Bruncker (age 45), whom I heard was at Alderman Hooker's (age 53), hoping to see and salute Mrs. Lethulier (age 22), whom I did see in passing, but no opportunity of beginning acquaintance, but a very noble lady she is, however the silly alderman got her. Here we sat talking a great while, Sir The. Biddulph (age 53) and Mr. Vaughan (age 62), a son-in-law of Alderman Hooker's. Hence with my Lord Bruncker home and sat a little with him and so home to bed.
On 29th August 1666 [his son-in-law] John Napier 4th or 1st Baronet (age 30) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Biddulph were married.
On 31st December 1673 [his son] Michael Biddulph 2nd Baronet (age 19) and [his daughter-in-law] Henrietta Maria Whitley (age 20) were married at Westminster Abbey [Map].
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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In April 1683 Theophilus Biddulph 1st Baronet (age 71) died at Greenwich, Kent [Map]. On 14th April 1683 he was buried at Stow Church Lichfield. His son Michael (age 29) succeeded 2nd Baronet Biddulph of Westcombe in Kent.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Biddulph was born to Theophilus Biddulph 1st Baronet She married 29th August 1666 John Napier 4th or 1st Baronet, son of Robert Napier 2nd Baronet and Penelope Egerton Lady Napier, and had issue.
[his daughter] Susannah Bidduph was born to Theophilus Biddulph 1st Baronet She married before 24th January 1705 Edward Littleton, son of Edward Littleton 2nd Baronet and Mary Wrottesley Lady Littleton, and had issue.