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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Barnstaple, Devon is in Devon.
In October 1553 Robert Carey (age 38) was elected MP Barnstaple.
In 1559 John Chichester was elected MP Barnstaple.
In 1563 Arthur Bassett (age 22) was elected MP Barnstaple.
In 1571 Peter Wentworth (age 42) was elected MP Barnstaple.
In 1584 John Peryan of Exeter (age 43) was elected MP Barnstaple.
In 1661 John Chichester 1st Baronet (age 37) was elected MP Barnstaple which seat he held until 1667.
In 1689 Arthur Chichester 3rd Baronet (age 29) was elected MP Barnstaple which seat he held until 1690.
John Evelyn's Diary. 12th October 1690. The French General, with Tyrconnel (age 60) and their forces, gone back to France, beaten out by King William. Cork [Map] delivered on discretion. The Duke of Grafton (deceased) was there mortally wounded and dies. Very great storms of wind. The 8th of this month Lord Spencer (age 49) wrote me word from Althorpe [Map], that there happened an earthquake the day before in the morning, which, though short, sensibly shook the house. The "Gazette" acquainted us that the like happened at the same time, half-past seven, at Barnstaple, Devon, Holyhead, Anglesey, and Dublin [Map]. We were not sensible of it here.
In 1713 Arthur Chichester 3rd Baronet (age 53) was elected MP Barnstaple which seat he held until 1718.
In 1734 John Chichester 4th Baronet (age 45) was elected MP Barnstaple which seat he held until 1740.
In 1740 John Francis Bassett (age 26) was elected MP Barnstaple.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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On 16th September 1791 Anne Palk Lady Wrey (deceased) was buried at St Peter's Church, Tawstock [Map]. Sacred to the Memory of ANNE The Lady of Sir BOURCHIER WREY (age 34) Baronet, and Daughter of Sir ROBERT PALK (age 73) Baronet, of Haldon House in this County who died the 5th day of September 1791, Aged 27 Years, leaving three infant children. Her Heart was pure and her manners unaffected. Her constant study was to know her Duty, and her greatest pleasure to discharge it, An affectionate Wife, a tender Parent, gentle, friendly, and benevolent. Taken from the World in the Prime of Years by a severe and lingering illness. She submitted to the will of Heaven with patient Resignation. Learn from her example that Virtue Is the loveliest ornament of Beauty!
Sculpted by W Youngs, Barum.
Anne Palk Lady Wrey: Around 1764 she was born to Robert Palk 1st Baronet and Anne van Sittart Lady Palk at Madras aka Chennai, India. On 14th March 1786 Bourchier Wrey 7th Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Wrey of Trebitch in Cornwall. On 5th September 1791 Anne Palk Lady Wrey died.
Barnstaple Priory is also in Priories in England.
Letters and Papers. 22 April. R. O. 708. Lord Lisle to Hussey.
I have written to Master Wyndsor to send over my rent by my brother Aylmer, or, if he will not come, to deliver it to you, as you will see by his letter enclosed. Calais, 22 April.
Has also written to Mr. Page to request the King not to let young Whetyll have any room in Calais while Lisle is there; and Lisle will hereafter appoint no spear without sending him over immediately to the King, to be replaced by another if his Grace like him not. I hope you have received my last with the copy of Mr. Palmer's letter, which I trust will pacify the King. States that he has appointed no more spears than in his Letter No. 707, of which the third was given to Wynybank. Sends a bill for receipt of £60 of Sir Edward Seymour, of which £16 are to be paid to Mr. Wyllson, the parson of St. Martin's. The rest is for the King. Is to ask Mr. Norrys to move the King to give Lisle the Priory of Maudylis of Barstabyll [Map], paying the King £20 for a New Year's gift. Thinks it will not be long out of the King's hands.
Pp. 2. Add.: To my friend John Husse, at the sign of the Red Lion, in Southwark. Endd.: The copy of John Husse letter and Sir Richard Page, knight, the 22d day of April.
On 26th October 1408 John Blount (age 31) and Alice Bere were married at Bratton Fleming Barnstaple, Devon.
John Evelyn's Diary. 16th May 1684. I received £600 of Sr Charles Bickerstaff for the fee-farm of Pilton in Devon.
Church of St Mary the Virgin, Pilton is also in Churches in Devon.
On 24th April 1627 Robert Chichester (age 49) died. He was buried in Church of St Mary the Virgin, Pilton [Map].
In 1815 John Lethbridge 1st Baronet (age 69) died. His son Thomas (age 36) succeeded 2nd Baronet Lethbridge of Westaway House in Devon and Winkley Court in Somerset. He was buried at Church of St Mary the Virgin, Pilton [Map] where there is a ledger stone inscribed as follows:
Here lyeth ye body of Phillip Bowchier, Gent., buried ye 3d day of Agust 1687 aged 64 years. Here also layeth the body of Agnes late wife of Phillip Bowchier, Gent., who departed this life ye 25th day of Nobr 1698 aged 66. Here lyes also buryed the body of Thomas Lethbridge, Gent., son of Thomas Lethbridge of Clement's Inne, Gent., a younger son of Christopher Lethbridge of Westaway, Esq., by Margaret his wife daughter of the above named Philip Bowchier. Obt 10th Augst 1744 aetatis 20"