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: Carolingian
Around 794 [his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks (age 16) and [his mother] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine (age 16) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aquitaine. He the son of [his grandfather] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor (age 51) and [his grandmother] Hildegard Vinzgouw Queen Franks Queen Lombardy Holy Roman Empress.
In 797 Pepin I was born to [his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks (age 19) and [his mother] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine (age 19).
In 813 [his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks (age 35) succeeded I King of the Franks. Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks (age 16) by marriage Queen Consort Franks.
On 28th January 814 [his grandfather] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor (age 71) died. His son [his father] Louis (age 36) succeeded King of the Franks.
In 815 [his brother] Lothair Holy Roman Emperor (age 20) succeeded King Bavaria.
In 817 [his brother] Lothair Holy Roman Emperor (age 22) succeeded Holy Roman Emperor.
On 3rd October 818 [his mother] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine (age 40) died.
In 821 [his brother] Lothair Holy Roman Emperor (age 26) and [his sister-in-law] Ermengarde Tours Queen Consort Bavaria Queen Consort Middle Francia were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Bavaria. Holy Roman Emperor. He the son of [his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks (age 43) and [his mother] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine.
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 822 Pepin I (age 25) and Ingeltrude Madrie Queen Consort Aquitaine were married. He the son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks (age 44) and Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine.
In 823 [his son] Pepin II King Aquitaine was born to Pepin I (age 26) and [his wife] Ingeltrude Madrie Queen Consort Aquitaine.
Around 825 [his son] Charles Carolingian Archbishop of Mainz was born to Pepin I (age 28) and [his wife] Ingeltrude Madrie Queen Consort Aquitaine.
In or before 828 [his brother] Louis "German" II King East Francia (age 23) and [his sister-in-law] Hemma Welf Queen Consort East Francia (age 24) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort East Francia. He the son of [his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks (age 49) and [his mother] Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine.
On 13th December 838 Pepin I (age 41) died. His son Pepin (age 15) succeeded II King Aquitaine.
On 20th June 840 [his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks (age 62) died. His son Pepin succeeded I King Aquitaine. [his wife] Ingeltrude Madrie Queen Consort Aquitaine by marriage Queen Consort Aquitaine.
[his father] Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks and Judith Welf Queen Consort Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aquitaine. He the son of [his grandfather] Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor and [his grandmother] Hildegard Vinzgouw Queen Franks Queen Lombardy Holy Roman Empress.
Kings Franks: Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks
Great x 2 Grandfather: Sigramnus Count of Hesbaye
Great x 1 Grandfather: Sigram of Hesbaye
Great x 3 Grandfather: Lambert Count of Hesbaye
Great x 2 Grandmother: Landrada of Hesbaye
GrandFather: Ingerman Count of Hesbaye
Mother: Ermengarde Hesbaye Queen Consort Aquitaine