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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Biography of William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys Vyne 1545-1623

Paternal Family Tree: Sandys

In or before 1545 [his father] Henry Sandes (age 24) and [his mother] Elizabeth Windsor were married. They were sixth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.

In 1545 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys Vyne was born to [his father] Henry Sandes (age 25) and [his mother] Elizabeth Windsor.

Around 1555 [his father] Henry Sandes (age 35) died.

In 1560 [his grandfather] Thomas Sandys 2nd Baron Sandys of the Vyne (age 63) died. In 1560 His grandson William (age 15) succeeded 3rd Baron Sandys of The Vyne in Hampshire.

In or before 1565 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys Vyne (age 19) and Katharine Brydges Baroness Sandys (age 9) were married. They were fifth cousin once removed.

Around 1565 [his daughter] Elizabeth Sandes was born to William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys Vyne (age 20) and [his wife] Katharine Brydges Baroness Sandys (age 10). She married before 15th March 1608 Edwin Sandes and had issue.

In 1569 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys Vyne (age 24) was visited by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 35) at The Vyne, Sherbourne St John [Map].

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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In 1572 [his mother] Elizabeth Windsor died.

Before 28th November 1572 [his step-father] Ralph Scrope (age 54) and [his mother] Elizabeth Windsor were married.

After 1597 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys Vyne (age 52) and Christian Annesley (age 22) were married. The difference in their ages was 30 years.

Before 8th December 1597 [his wife] Katharine Brydges Baroness Sandys (age 42) died.

In 1605 [his wife] Christian Annesley (age 30) died.

After 1605 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys Vyne (age 60) and Anne Baker were married. They were fourth cousins.

Before 15th March 1608 [his son-in-law] Edwin Sandes (age 44) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Sandes (age 43) were married.

On 29th September 1623 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys Vyne (age 78) died. His son William succeeded 4th Baron Sandys of The Vyne in Hampshire.

[his son] William Sandys 4th Baron Sandys of the Vyne was born to William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys Vyne and Katharine Brydges Baroness Sandys. He married before 1629 Alathea Panton Baroness Sandys.