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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Count Perche is in Counts of France.
In 866 Ranulf II Duke Aquitaine [aged 16] succeeded Count Perche.
In 1044 Rotrou Chateaudun II Count Perche succeeded II Count Perche.
In 1080 Rotrou Chateaudun II Count Perche died. His son Geoffrey succeeded III Count Perche. Beatrix de Ramerupt Montdidier Countess Mortain and Perche by marriage Countess Perche.
In October 1100 Geoffrey Chateaudun II Count Mortain III Count Perche died. His son Routrou [aged 20] succeeded III Count Perche.
Before 1120 Routrou "The Great" Chateaudun III Count Perche [aged 39] and Matilda Fitzroy Countess Perche were married. She by marriage Countess Perche. She the illegitmate daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England [aged 51]. He the son of Geoffrey Chateaudun II Count Mortain III Count Perche and Beatrix de Ramerupt Montdidier Countess Mortain and Perche.
Before 1135 Routrou "The Great" Chateaudun III Count Perche [aged 54] and Hawise Salisbury Countess Dreux [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Countess Perche. The difference in their ages was 38 years. He the son of Geoffrey Chateaudun II Count Mortain III Count Perche and Beatrix de Ramerupt Montdidier Countess Mortain and Perche.
On 6th May 1144 Routrou "The Great" Chateaudun III Count Perche [aged 64] died. His son Routrou [aged 9] succeeded IV Count Perche.
Before 1189 Geoffrey Chateaudun III Count Perche and Matilda Countess Perche were married. She by marriage Countess Perche. He the son of Routrou Chateaudun IV Count Perche [aged 53] and Matilda Blois Countess Perche.
In 1189 Geoffrey Chateaudun III Count Perche and Matilda Welf Countess Perche [aged 17] were married at Rouen, France [Map]. She by marriage Countess Perche. She the daughter of Henry "Lion" Welf XII Duke Saxony III Duke Bavaria [aged 60] and Matilda Plantagenet Duchess Saxony [aged 32]. He the son of Routrou Chateaudun IV Count Perche [aged 54] and Matilda Blois Countess Perche. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 2 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England. She a granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1191 Geoffrey Chateaudun III Count Perche succeeded III Count Perche.
In 1202 Thomas Chateaudun I Count Perche [aged 7] succeeded I Count Perche.
On 20th May 1217 William Chateaudun Bishop Châlons sur Marne succeeded II Count Perche.
In 1419 Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury [aged 30] was created 1st Count Perche.
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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Routrou Chateaudun IV Count Perche and Matilda Blois Countess Perche were married. She by marriage Countess Perche. She the daughter of Theobald Blois II Count Champagne IV Count Blois and Matilda Carinthia Countess Champagne and Blois. He the son of Routrou "The Great" Chateaudun III Count Perche and Hawise Salisbury Countess Dreux.
Thomas Beaufort Count Perche was appointed Count Perche.
Geoffrey Chateaudun I Count Perche was created I Count Perche.
Hugh Chateaudun I Count Perche succeeded I Count Perche, III Viscount Châteaudun.
Thomas Chateaudun I Count Perche and Hélisende Rethel Countess Perche were married. She by marriage Countess Perche. She the daughter of Hugh Rethel II Count Rethel. He the son of Geoffrey Chateaudun III Count Perche and Matilda Welf Countess Perche. They were fifth cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
Hugh Chateaudun I Count Perche and Adela Countess Perche were married. She by marriage Countess Perche, Viscountess Châteaudun. He the son of Geoffrey Chateaudun I Count Perche and Helvise Corbon Viscountess Châteaudun.
Rotrou Chateaudun II Count Perche and Adeliza de Bellême Countess Perche were married. She by marriage Countess Perche, Viscountess Châteaudun. He the son of Geoffrey Chateaudun I Count Perche and Helvise Corbon Viscountess Châteaudun.