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: Noel
On 18th November 1745 Thomas Noel 2nd Viscount Wentworth was born to Edward Noel 1st Viscount Wentworth [aged 30].
In 1766 Angelica Kauffmann [aged 24] was persuaded by Baroness Wentworth [aged 13], wife of the Ambassador to Venice to accompany her to England. The identity of Baroness Wentworth is somewhat difficult. Probably Mary Henley Countess Ligonier daughter of Robert Henley 1st Earl Northington [aged 58] who subsequently married Thomas Noel 2nd Viscount Wentworth [aged 20] in 1788.
On 14th December 1773 Edward Ligonier 1st Earl Ligonier [aged 33] and [his future wife] Mary Henley Countess Ligonier [aged 20] were married. She the daughter of Robert Henley 1st Earl Northington and Jane Huband.
In 1774 [his illegitimate son] Thomas Noel was born illegitimately to Thomas Noel 2nd Viscount Wentworth [aged 28].
In September 1774 Thomas Noel 2nd Viscount Wentworth [aged 28] was elected MP Leicestershire. Within in a month he resigned his seat since he had become 2nd Viscount Wentworth following the death of his father.
On 31st October 1774 [his father] Edward Noel 1st Viscount Wentworth [aged 59] died. His son Thomas [aged 28] succeeded 2nd Viscount Wentworth, 10th Baron Wentworth. His son Thomas de jure 14th Baron Despencer, 7th Baronet Noel.
On 19th July 1776 Edward Ligonier 1st Earl Ligonier [aged 36] was created 1st Earl Ligonier. [his future wife] Mary Henley Countess Ligonier [aged 23] by marriage Countess Ligonier.
On 2nd February 1788 Thomas Noel 2nd Viscount Wentworth [aged 42] and Mary Henley Countess Ligonier [aged 35] were married. She the daughter of Robert Henley 1st Earl Northington and Jane Huband.
In 1814 [his wife] Mary Henley Countess Ligonier [aged 61] died.
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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On 2nd January 1815 George "Lord Byron" 6th Baron Byron [aged 26] and Anne Isabella Noel Baroness Byron 11th Baroness Wentworth [aged 22] were married at Seaham Hall, County Durham. The officiating clergyman was her cousin, the Reverend Thomas Noel [aged 41] of Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire, illegitimate son of her uncle, Viscount Wentworth [aged 69]. She by marriage Baroness Byron of Rochdale in Lancashire.
On 17th April 1815 Thomas Noel 2nd Viscount Wentworth [aged 69] died without legitmate issue. Viscount Wentworth, Baronet Noel extinct. Baron Wentworth, Baron Despencer abeyant. His sister Judith Noel [aged 64] inherited his estates at which time her husband Ralph Milbanke aka Noel 6th Baronet [aged 67] changed his name from Milbanke to Noel by Royal Licence.
Before 29th May 1815 Ralph Milbanke aka Noel 6th Baronet [aged 67] and [his sister] Judith Noel [aged 64] inherited the estates of her brother Thomas Noel 2nd Viscount Wentworth [deceased]. On 29th May 1815 he, Ralph, changed his surname from Milbanke to Noel.
Kings Wessex: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Bleddyn ap Cynfyn King Gwynedd King Powys
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 23 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 18 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 29 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 23 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Noel 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Varney Noel 1st Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Noel 2nd Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Noel 4th Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Lovelace 1st Baron Lovelace
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Lovelace 2nd Baron Lovelace
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Dodworth Baroness Lovelace
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Lovelace Lady Noel 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Cleveland 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Wentworth 7th Baroness Wentworth Baroness Lovelace 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Crofts Countess Cleveland 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Clobery Noel 5th Baronet 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Clobery of Winchester in Hampshire
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Clobery
Father: Edward Noel 1st Viscount Wentworth 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Thomas Noel 2nd Viscount Wentworth 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England