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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Gerulfing to Grosvenor is in Armorials.
Palatinate Simmern Arms. Quartered 1&4
Hohenstaufen Arms 2&3
Wittelsbach Arms.
Wittelsbach Arms. Lozenges argent and azure. Source.
Giffard Arms. Gules Three lions passant guardant or in pale or.
After 1262. St Mary's Church, Boyton [Map]. Monument to Alexander Giffard. Believed to represent Alexander Giffard; possibly his father Hugh Giffard. Early Medieval Period effigy. Alexander fought on the Seventh Crusade and may possibly have died at the Battle of Mansoura in 1250. The effigy notable for the Otter at his feet, biting his sword, and for the
Giffard Arms on the shield with a label five points indicating the son, possibly grandson, of the current owner of the arms. The Otter may actually be a badly carved lion! Right Leg over Left.
Hugh Giffard: Around 1195 he was born to Walter Giffard at Warminster, Wiltshire [Map]. Before 18th March 1217 Hugh Giffard and Sibyl Cormeilles were married. Around 1246 Hugh Giffard died at Warminster, Wiltshire [Map].





Godolphin Arms. Gules, an eagle with two heads, displayed between three fleur de lys, two and one, argent.
On 10th November 1626 John Sydenham V (age 58) died. Monument at St Andrew's Church, Brympton d'Evercy [Map].
A Corinthian column at each corner supports the fine canopy, and the whole is adorned withmany coats of arms, which,commencing on the north side, illustrate, as it were, the pedigree of the family. On either side the canopy is surmounted by the arms ofSir John Sydenham, on the north impaling those of his first wife, and on the south the arms of his second;each coat is flanked by a small shield supported by a ram. Bound the edge of the canopy are thirteen shields, on which are impaled the arms brought inby various atches. On each side of the tomb itself are three large shields:those on the north side bearing the arms of Sydenham, impaling those of Audley Arm, Bruges, and
Godolphin Arms, with their various quarterings;on the south are the arms of John Sydenham (age 37), who erected the monument, his sister impaled with those of her husband Edward Paston, and another coat in which the sinister side is not filled in. Probably it was meant to await the marriage of Sir Ralph Sydenham (age 36), a younger brother of the founder. At the west end base is the large quartered coat of Sir John Sydenham, impaling the arms of Buckland with its nine quarterings. At the head of the tomb, surmounted by the helmet, crest, and lambrequin, is the-Sydenham coat of twelve quarterings, beneath which is the following inscription:
My foundir Sydenham, match'd with Hobye's Heyr (age 27).
Badde me inform thee (gentle Passenger).
That what hee hath donne in mcc is onlie meant.
To memorize his father and s discent.
Without vayne glorye but he doth intreat.
That if thou comst his legende to repeate.
Thou speak him truly as he was and than - Report itso, hee dyed an honest mane.
10 November 1626.
The main armorial as follows: 1 Sydenham Arms 2 Kitsford Arms 3 Dalingrige Arms 4
Hussey Arms 5
Stourton Arms 6 Langland Arms 7 Beaufre Arms 8 Furneux Arms 9
Godolphin Arms 10 Balune Arms 11
Killigrew Arms 12 Trenouth Arms. Source.
John Sydenham V: In 1568 he was born to John Sydenham IV "The Elder" and Grace Godolphin.
John Sydenham: In 1589 he was born to John Sydenham V. In or before 1627 John Sydenham and Alice Hoby were married. In 1627 John Sydenham died.
Ralph Sydenham: In or after 1590 he was born to John Sydenham V. In 1671 Ralph Sydenham died.



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Gorges Arms. Lozengy or and azure, a chevron gules. Source.
Duke Montrose Arms. Quarterly, 1&4
Graham Arms 2&3 Argent three roses gules barbed and seeded proper (Montrose).
Granville Arms. Gules three clarions or. Source.
Greene Arms. Azure, three bucks or. Source.
Gresham Arms. Argent, a chevron ermine between three mullets pierced sable.
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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Gresley Arms. Vairy ermine and gules. Source.
Greville Arms. Sable a cross in a border Engrailed or with five roundels sable on the cross. Source.
1580. St Laurence's Church, Ludlow [Map]. Monument to Ambrosia Sidney. Her father's (age 51) arms top middle as follows: Sidney, Clunford, Barrington, Mercy,
Mandeville Arms differenced with an escarbuncle, Chetwyn, Belhouse (the lions should be shown between three black cross-croslets), and
Brandon Arms (the lion's crown should be per pale gules and Argent).
Bottom Left her father's arms impaled with 1
Dudley Arms 2 Unknown 3
Grey Arms 4
Talbot Arms 5
Beauchamp Arms 6 Neuborg Arms 7 Unknown 8 Unknown.
Bottom Right. As impaled Bottom Left; possibly some form of Duke of Northumberland.
The Sidney motto "quo fata vacant" ie "where destiny falls".
On the right are the arms of her uncle and godfather Ambrose Dudley, 3rd Earl of Warwick (age 50), from whom she derived her name.
On the left the arms of her mother, Mary Sidney née Dudley (age 50)
Ambrosia Sidney: Around 1565 she was born to Henry Sidney and Mary Dudley. She was named after her uncle Ambrose Dudley 3rd Earl Warwick. On 22nd February 1574 Ambrosia Sidney died at Ludlow Castle [Map] where her father Henry Sidney was President of the Council of the Marches in Wales.
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Grimston Earl Verulam Arms. 1 & 4: Grimston 2: Luckyn (Sable, a fess dancetée between two leopard's faces or) 3: Forrester. Source.
Grosvenor Arms. Azure a garb or. Source.