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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Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 1102. And the Archbishop Anselm held a synod of clergy; and there they established many canons that belong to Christianity. And many, both French and English, were there deprived of their staves and dignity, which they either obtained with injustice, or enjoyed with dishonour. And in this same year, in the week of the feast of Pentecost, there came thieves, some from Auvergne133, some from France, and some from Flanders, and broke into the minster of Peterborough, and therein seized much property in gold and in silver; namely, roods, and chalices, and candlesticks.
Note 133. "Auvergne" at that time was an independent province, and formed no part of France. About the middle of the fourteenth century we find Jane, Countess of Auvergne and Boulogne, and Queen of France, assisting in the dedication of the church of the Carmelites at Paris, together with [her aunt] Queen Jeanne d'Evreux, third wife and widow of Charles IV., Blanche of Navarre, widow of Philip VI., and [her future step-daughter] Jeanne de France, Queen of Navarre.-Felib. "Histoire de Paris", vol. I, p. 356.
On 8th May 1326 Joan Auvergne Queen Consort France was born to [her father] William Auvergne XII Count Auvergne II Count Boulogne and [her mother] Margaret Évreux Countess Auvergne and Boulogne.
In 1332 [her father] William Auvergne XII Count Auvergne II Count Boulogne died.
On 28th July 1332 [her future husband] King John "The Good" II of France and Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of King John I of Bohemia and Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia. He the son of [her future father-in-law] King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France and Joan "Lame" Burgundy Queen Consort France.
Before 1344 Philip Burgundy I Count Auvergne and Joan Auvergne Queen Consort France were married. He by marriage I Count Auvergne. She the daughter of William Auvergne XII Count Auvergne II Count Boulogne and Margaret Évreux Countess Auvergne and Boulogne. He the son of Odo IV Duke Burgundy and Joan Capet Duchess Burgundy.
In 1344 [her daughter] Joan Burgundy was born to [her husband] Philip Burgundy I Count Auvergne and Joan Auvergne Queen Consort France.
Around 1345 [her daughter] Margaret Burgundy died.
In 1345 [her daughter] Margaret Burgundy was born to [her husband] Philip Burgundy I Count Auvergne and Joan Auvergne Queen Consort France. She died aged less than one years old.
In 1346 [her son] Philip I Duke Burgundy was born to [her husband] Philip Burgundy I Count Auvergne and Joan Auvergne Queen Consort France. He married before 21st November 1361 Margaret Dampierre Duchess Burgundy, daughter of Louis of Male III Count Nevers II Count Flanders and Margaret of Brabant Countess Nevers and Flanders.
On 10th August 1346 [her husband] Philip Burgundy I Count Auvergne died.
In 1350 [her mother] Margaret Évreux Countess Auvergne and Boulogne died.
On 19th February 1350 King John "The Good" II of France and Joan Auvergne Queen Consort France were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of William Auvergne XII Count Auvergne II Count Boulogne and Margaret Évreux Countess Auvergne and Boulogne. He the son of King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France and Joan "Lame" Burgundy Queen Consort France.
On 8th April 1350 [her step-son] King Charles V of France and Joanna Bourbon Queen Consort France were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon and Isabella Valois Duchess Bourbon. He the son of [her husband] King John "The Good" II of France and Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France.
On 22nd August 1350 [her father-in-law] King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France died. [her husband] King John "The Good" II of France succeeded II King France: Capet Valois.
On 12th February 1352 Charles "Bad" II King Navarre and [her step-daughter] Joan Valois Queen Consort Navarre were married at Chateau du Vivie, Coutevroult. She by marriage Queen Consort Navarre. She the daughter of [her husband] King John "The Good" II of France and Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France. He the son of [her uncle] Philip "Noble" III King Navarre and Joan Capet II Queen Navarre.
In 1354 Robert of Bar 1st Duke of Bar was created 1st Duke Bar. [her step-daughter] Marie Valois Duchess Bar by marriage Duchess Bar.
On 19th September 1356 the army of Edward "Black Prince" defeated the French and Scottish army led by [her husband] King John "The Good" II of France at the Battle of Poitiers
King John "The Good" II of France was captured by three captains including Ivon aka John Fane.
The the English army included: Bernard Brocas, Thomas Felton, James Audley, Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick, Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh, Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham, Edward Despencer 1st Baron Despencer, Baron Burghesh, Ralph Ferrers, William Scrope, William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury, Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh, Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk, William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk, John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford, John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby, Thomas Arderne, Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos, Richard Pembridge, Jean Grailly, Robert de Fouleshurst and John Sully
John Savile of Shelley and Golcar probably fought having received letters of protection to travel overseas.
Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon protected the baggage train.
The French and Scottish army included: King John "The Good" II of France, [her step-son] Philip "Bold" Valois II Duke Burgundy, Jean Bourbon I Count La Marche, Archibald "Grim" Douglas 3rd Earl Douglas, John "Sans Terre" Artois 1st Count of Eu; all captured.
Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon and William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas fought.
Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon was killed. Louis Bourbon II Duke Bourbon succeeded II Duke Bourbon.
Gauthier VI Comte de Brienne was killed.
In 1360 [her step-son] Louis Valois Anjou I Duke Anjou and Marie Chatillon Duchess Anjou were married. She by marriage Duchess Anjou. She the daughter of Charles of Blois Duke Brittany and Joan "Lame" Capet Countess Penthièvre. He the son of [her husband] King John "The Good" II of France and Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France.
In 1360 [her step-son] Louis Valois Anjou I Duke Anjou was created I Duke Anjou.
In 1360 [her step-son] John Valois 1st Duke Berry was created 1st Duke Berry and 1st Duke Auvergne.
On 11th September 1360 [her daughter] Joan Burgundy died.
On 29th September 1360 Joan Auvergne Queen Consort France died. [her son] Philip I Duke Burgundy succeeded Count Auvergne and Count Boulogne.
On 8th April 1364 [her former husband] King John "The Good" II of France died at Savoy Palace of an unknown illness. He was buried at the Basilica of St Denis. [her former step-son] King Charles V of France succeeded V King France: Capet Valois.
Before 1332 [her father] William Auvergne XII Count Auvergne II Count Boulogne and [her mother] Margaret Évreux Countess Auvergne and Boulogne were married. She by marriage Countess Auvergne, Countess Boulogne. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Louis I Count Évreux and [her grandmother] Margaret Artois Countess Évreux. He the son of Robert VII Auvergne XII Count Auvergne.