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: Coventry
In 1578 Thomas Coventry 1st was born to Thomas Coventry.
In 1592 Thomas Coventry 1st (age 14) was educated at Balliol College, Oxford University.
In 1594 Thomas Coventry 1st (age 16) admitted at Inner Temple.
In or before 1606 Thomas Coventry 1st (age 27) and Sarah Sebright (age 22) were married.
In 1606 [his son] Thomas Coventry 2nd Baron Coventry was born to Thomas Coventry 1st (age 28) and [his wife] Sarah Sebright (age 23). He married 2nd April 1627 Mary Craven, daughter of William Craven and Elizabeth Whitmore, and had issue.
In or before 1610 Thomas Coventry 1st (age 31) and Elizabeth Aldersley Baroness Coventry (age 29) were married.
Around 1610 [his daughter] Mary Coventry Lady Thynne Kempsford was born to Thomas Coventry 1st (age 32) and [his wife] Elizabeth Aldersley Baroness Coventry (age 30). She married before 1640 Henry Thynne 1st Baronet and had issue.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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In 1612 [his daughter] Anne Coventry Baroness Savile was born to Thomas Coventry 1st (age 34) and [his wife] Elizabeth Aldersley Baroness Coventry (age 32). She married (1) 29th December 1629 William Savile 3rd Baronet and had issue (2) 1655 Thomas Chicheley of Wimpole.
In 1612 [his son] Francis Coventry was born to Thomas Coventry 1st (age 34) and [his wife] Elizabeth Aldersley Baroness Coventry (age 32). He married before 1680 Margaret Warterer.
In 1619 [his son] Henry Coventry was born to Thomas Coventry 1st (age 41) and [his wife] Elizabeth Aldersley Baroness Coventry (age 39).
In 1623 [his daughter] Dorothy Coventry Lady Pakington was born to Thomas Coventry 1st (age 45) and [his wife] Elizabeth Aldersley Baroness Coventry (age 43). She married before 1649 John Pakington 2nd Baronet, son of John Pakington 1st Baronet, and had issue.
In October 1624 John Pakington 1st Baronet (age 24) died. His son [his future son-in-law] John (age 3) succeeded 2nd Baronet Pakington. He bacame the ward of Thomas Coventry 1st (age 46) whose daughter [his daughter] Dorothy Coventry Lady Pakington (age 1) he subsequently married.
Around 1626 Cornelius Janssens aka Johnson (age 32). Portrait of Thomas Coventry 1st (age 48) as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. Charlecote Park.
On 2nd April 1627 [his son] Thomas Coventry 2nd Baron Coventry (age 21) and [his daughter-in-law] Mary Craven (age 25) were married.
Around 1628 [his son] William Coventry was born to Thomas Coventry 1st (age 50) and [his wife] Elizabeth Aldersley Baroness Coventry (age 48).
On 10th April 1628 Thomas Coventry 1st (age 50) was created 1st Baron Coventry. [his wife] Elizabeth Aldersley Baroness Coventry (age 48) by marriage Baroness Coventry.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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On 29th December 1629 [his son-in-law] William Savile 3rd Baronet (age 17) and [his daughter] Anne Coventry Baroness Savile (age 17) were married.
Complete Collection of State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason Volume 3. The Arraignment
[29th April 1631] The lord Coventry (age 53), Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, was appointed Lord High Steward for that day; who, having orders for the said Trial from his majesty, gave directions for the same.
The lords the peers took their places about 8 of the clock in the morning, and were seated on benches on each side of a large table, covered with green cloth; and below them were the Judges placed, and the king's learned counsel, and the officers of the court. And having disposed of themselves in their several places the Lord Steward about 9 of the clock entered the hall uncovered, with seven maces carried before him by seven Serjeants at Arms, and was attended upon by sir John Burroughs, garter principal king at arms, and Mr. James Maxwell; usher of tbe black rod.
Before 1636 [his son] John Coventry and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Coles were married.
On 25th February 1639 [his son-in-law] Anthony Ashley-Cooper 1st Earl Shaftesbury (age 17) and [his daughter] Margaret Coventry were married.
Before 1640 [his son-in-law] Henry Thynne 1st Baronet (age 24) and [his daughter] Mary Coventry Lady Thynne Kempsford (age 29) were married.
On 14th January 1640 Thomas Coventry 1st (age 62) died. His son Thomas (age 34) succeeded 2nd Baron Coventry.
On 25th May 1653 [his former wife] Elizabeth Aldersley Baroness Coventry (age 73) died.
Before 5th August 1661 Cornelius Janssens aka Johnson (age 67). Portrait of Thomas Coventry 1st .
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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Samuel Pepys' Diary. 27th June 1666. Up, and to my office awhile, and then down the river a little way to see vessels ready for the carrying down of 400 land soldiers to the fleete. Then back to the office for my papers, and so to St. James's, where we did our usual attendance on the Duke (age 32). Having done with him, we all of us down to [his son] Sir W. Coventry's (age 38) chamber (where I saw his father my Lord Coventry's picture hung up, done by Stone, who then brought it home. It is a good picture, drawn in his judge's robes, and the great seale by him. And while it was hanging up, "This", says Sir W. Coventry, merrily, "is the use we make of our fathers",) to discourse about the proposition of serving us with hempe, delivered in by my Lord Brouncker (age 46) as from an unknown person, though I know it to be Captain Cocke's (age 49). My Lord and Sir William Coventry had some earnest words about it, the one promoting it for his private ends, being, as Cocke tells me himself, to have £500 if the bargain goes on, and I am to have as much, and the other opposing it for the unseasonableness of it, not knowing at all whose the proposition is, which seems the more ingenious of the two. I sat by and said nothing, being no great friend to the proposition, though Cocke intends me a convenience by it. But what I observed most from the discourse was this of Sir W. Coventry, that he do look upon ourselves in a desperate condition. The issue of all standing upon this one point, that by the next fight, if we beat, the Dutch will certainly be content to take eggs for their money (that was his expression); or if we be beaten, we must be contented to make peace, and glad if we can have it without paying too dear for it. And withall we do rely wholly upon the Parliament's giving us more money the next sitting, or else we are undone.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 26th August 1666. Thence to discourse of the times; and he tells me he believes both my Lord Arlington (age 48) and [his son] Sir W. Coventry (age 38), as well as my Lord Sandwich (age 41) and Sir G. Carteret (age 56), have reason to fear, and are afeard of this Parliament now coming on. He tells me that Bristoll's (age 53) faction is getting ground apace against my Chancellor (age 57). He told me that my old Lord Coventry was a cunning, crafty man, and did make as many bad decrees in Chancery as any man; and that in one case, that occasioned many years' dispute, at last when the King (age 36) come in, it was hoped by the party grieved, to get my Chancellor to reverse a decree of his. Sir W. Coventry took the opportunity of the business between the Duke of Yorke (age 32) and the Duchesse (age 29), and said to my Chancellor, that he had rather be drawn up Holborne to be hanged, than live to see his father pissed upon (in these very terms) and any decree of his reversed. And so the Chancellor did not think fit to do it, but it still stands, to the undoing of one Norton, a printer, about his right to the printing of the Bible, and Grammar, &c.
In 1697 [his grandson] Thomas Coventry 1st Earl Coventry (age 68) was created 1st Earl Coventry with a special remainder to issue of [his brother] Walter Coventry brother to the 1st Baron Coventry. [his granddaughter-in-law] Elizabeth Grimes Countess Coventry (age 27) by marriage Countess Coventry.
[his daughter] Margaret Coventry was born to Thomas Coventry 1st and Elizabeth Aldersley Baroness Coventry. She married 25th February 1639 Anthony Ashley-Cooper 1st Earl Shaftesbury, son of John Cooper 1st Baronet and Anne Ashley Lady Cooper.
[his son] John Coventry was born to Thomas Coventry 1st and Elizabeth Aldersley Baroness Coventry. He married before 1636 Elizabeth Coles and had issue.