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: Holstein-Gottorp
Maternal Family Tree: Countess Palatine Caroline of Zweibrücken 1721-1774
On 16th April 1841 [her father] Tsar Alexander II of Russia [aged 22] and [her mother] Maria Alexandrovna Hesse Darmstadt [aged 16] were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Louis Hesse Darmstadt II Grand Duke [aged 63] and [her grandmother] Princess Wilhelmine Baden. They were second cousin once removed.
On 17th October 1853 Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov was born to [her father] Tsar Alexander II of Russia [aged 35] and [her mother] Maria Alexandrovna Hesse Darmstadt [aged 29]. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.96%.
On 2nd March 1855 [her grandfather] Tsar Nicholas I of Russia [aged 58] died. His son [her father] Alexander [aged 36] succeeded II Tsar Russia. [her mother] Maria Alexandrovna Hesse Darmstadt [aged 30] by marriage Tsarina Russia.
On 24th May 1866 [her future husband] Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 21] was created 1st Duke Edinburgh.
Around 1871. Franz Xaver Winterhalter [aged 65]. Portrait of Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 17].
On 23rd January 1874 Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 29] and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 20] were married. He the son of Prince Albert Saxe Coburg Gotha and Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom [aged 54]. They were third cousin once removed.
On 23rd January 1874 Unknown Painter. The Wedding of [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 29] and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 20].
The Times. 2nd February 1874. THE MARRIAGE FESTIVITIES IN RUSSIA. ST. PETERSBURIG. Jan 31 Yesterday the [her husband] Duke [aged 29] and Duchess of Edinburgh [aged 20], the [her brother-in-law] Prince [aged 32] and Princess of Wales [aged 29], and Prince Arthur [aged 23] were present with all the Imperial family at the ball given by the Cesarewvitch. The Prince of Wales wore the uniform of the Norfolk Militia and Prince Arthur that of the Rifle Brigade. This evening a grand dinner, to which 400 guests are invited, will be given by the British Ambassador to the Crown Prince and Princess of Germany and Prince Arthur. Later on in the evening all the English Princes will go to the ball given at the Hall of the Nobles at 9:30.
On 24th May 1874 [her brother-in-law] Prince Arthur Windsor 1st Duke Connaught and Strathearn [aged 24] was created 1st Duke Connaught and Strathearn. Luise Margarete Hohenzollern Duchess Connaught [aged 13] by marriage Duchess Connaught and Strathearn.
On 15th October 1874 [her son] Alfred Windsor was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 30] and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 20] at Buckingham Palace [Map]. He a grandson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
On 29th October 1875 [her daughter] Marie Windsor was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 31] and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 22] at Eastwell Park, Kent. She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She married 10th January 1893 Ferdinand "The Unfier" Hohenzollern Sigmaringen and had issue.
On 25th November 1876 [her daughter] Victoria Melita Windsor was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 32] and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 23]. She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She married (1) 19th April 1894 her first cousin Ernest Louis Hesse Darmstadt Grand Duke, son of Prince Louis Hesse Darmstadt IV Grand Duke and Princess Alice Saxe Coburg Gotha, and had issue (2) 8th October 1905 her first cousin Cyril Vladimirovich Holstein Gottorp Romanov and had issue.
On 1st September 1878 [her daughter] Alexandra Windsor Princess was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 34] and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 24]. She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She married 20th April 1896 Ernst Hohenlohe Langenburg II Prince and had issue.
On 1st September 1878 [her son] Stillborn Windsor was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 34] and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 24]. He a grandson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
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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On 13th March 1879 [her brother-in-law] Prince Arthur Windsor 1st Duke Connaught and Strathearn [aged 28] and Luise Margarete Hohenzollern Duchess Connaught [aged 18] were married at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map]. He the son of Prince Albert Saxe Coburg Gotha and [her mother-in-law] Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom [aged 59]. They were third cousin once removed.
On 3rd June 1880 [her mother] Maria Alexandrovna Hesse Darmstadt [aged 55] died.
On 18th July 1880 [her father] Tsar Alexander II of Russia [aged 62] and Catherine Dolgoroky were married. She by marriage Tsarina Russia.
On 13th March 1881 [her father] Tsar Alexander II of Russia [aged 62] was assassinated. He died at the Winter's Palace, St Petersburg. His son [her brother] Alexander [aged 36] succeeded III Tsar Russia. Dagmar aka Maria Feodrovna Glücksburg [aged 33] by marriage Tsarina Russia.
As he was known to do every Sunday for many years, the emperor went to the Mikhailovsky Manège for the military roll call. A young member of the Narodnaya Volya ("People's Will") movement, Nikolai Rysakov, threw a bomb which explosion Alexander survived. A second young member of the Narodnaya Volya, Ignacy Hryniewiecki, threw a second bomb killing the Tsar.
On 24th May 1881 [her brother-in-law] Leopold Saxe Coburg Gotha 1st Duke Albany [aged 28] was created 1st Duke Albany.
On 27th April 1882 [her brother-in-law] Leopold Saxe Coburg Gotha 1st Duke Albany [aged 29] and Helena Waldeck Duchess Albany were married at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Albany. He the son of Prince Albert Saxe Coburg Gotha and [her mother-in-law] Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom [aged 62].
On 28th March 1884 [her brother-in-law] Leopold Saxe Coburg Gotha 1st Duke Albany [aged 30] died at the Villa Nevada, Cannes.
On 20th April 1884 [her daughter] Beatrice Windsor Duchess Galliera was born to [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 39] and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 30] at Eastwell Park, Kent. She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She married 15th July 1909 Alfonso Orléans Galliera Duke Galliera and had issue.
On 9th March 1888 William I King Prussia [aged 90] died. His son Frederick [aged 56] succeeded III Emperor aka Kaiser, III King Prussia. [her sister-in-law] Victoria Empress Germany Queen Consort Prussia [aged 47] by marriage Empress aka Kaiser, Queen Prussia.
On 6th February 1889 [her son] Alfred Windsor [aged 14] died.
On 12th December 1890 Joseph Boehm [aged 56] died suddenly at his home 76 Fulham Road. [her sister-in-law] Princess Louise Caroline Alberta Windsor Duchess Argyll [aged 42], his pupil, was either present, leading to speculation in the press about their relationship, or found his body shortly after his death. His son Edgar [aged 21] succeeded 2nd Baronet Boehm of Wetherby Gardens in Kensington.
On 10th January 1893 [her son-in-law] Ferdinand "The Unfier" Hohenzollern Sigmaringen [aged 27] and Marie Windsor [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 48] and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 39].
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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On 19th April 1894 [her son-in-law] Ernest Louis Hesse Darmstadt Grand Duke [aged 25] and Victoria Melita Windsor [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 49] and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 40]. He the son of Prince Louis Hesse Darmstadt IV Grand Duke and Princess Alice Saxe Coburg Gotha. They were first cousins. He a grandson of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
On 20th April 1896 [her son-in-law] Ernst Hohenlohe Langenburg II Prince [aged 32] and Alexandra Windsor Princess [aged 17] were married at Ehrenburg Palace. She the daughter of Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 51] and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 42].
On 24th April 1900 George Douglas Campbell 8th Duke Argyll [aged 76] died. His son John [aged 54] succeeded 9th Duke Argyll, 6th Baron Hamilton of Hameldon in Leicestershire. [her sister-in-law] Princess Louise Caroline Alberta Windsor Duchess Argyll [aged 52] by marriage Duchess Argyll.
On 30th July 1900 [her husband] Prince Alfred Windsor [aged 55] died. Duke Edinburgh extinct.
In 1901 [her son-in-law] Ernest Louis Hesse Darmstadt Grand Duke [aged 32] and [her daughter] Victoria Melita Windsor [aged 24] were divorced.
On 8th October 1905 [her son-in-law] Cyril Vladimirovich Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 28] and Victoria Melita Windsor [aged 28] were married. She the daughter of Prince Alfred Windsor and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 51]. They were first cousins. She a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
On 15th July 1909 [her son-in-law] Alfonso Orléans Galliera Duke Galliera [aged 22] and Beatrice Windsor Duchess Galliera [aged 25] were married at Coburg. She by marriage Duchess Galliera. She the daughter of Prince Alfred Windsor and Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 55].
On 24th October 1920 Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov [aged 67] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 28 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Kings Scotland: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 30 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick IV Duke of Holstein Gottorp 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Frederick Duke of Holstein Gottorp 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hedvig Sophia of Sweden 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter III of Russia 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Paul Emperor of Russia 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Tsar Nicholas I of Russia 6 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick Charles Duke of Württemberg-Winnental 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Alexander Duke of Württemberg 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleonore Juliane Hohenzollern 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Frederick Eugene Duke Württemberg 15 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Empress Sophie Dorothea of Russia 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Hohenzollern 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Friedrich Wilhelm Hohenzollern 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Friederike Sophie Dorothea Hohenzollern 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick William "Soldier King" I King Prussia 2 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Sophia Dorothea Hohenzollern 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sophia Dorothea Hanover Queen Consort Prussia 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Father: Tsar Alexander II of Russia 7 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick William "Soldier King" I King Prussia 2 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandfather: Augustus William Hohenzollern 3 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sophia Dorothea Hanover Queen Consort Prussia 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 2 Grandfather: Frederick William II King Prussia 4 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 1 Grandfather: Frederick William III King Prussia 5 x Great Grand Son of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis VIII of Hesse-Darmstadt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis IX of Hesse-Darmstadt 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Queen Frederica Louisa of Prussia 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Count Palatine Christian III of Zweibrücken
Great x 3 Grandmother: Countess Palatine Caroline of Zweibrücken
GrandMother: Charlotte Hohenzollern 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Duke Adolphus Frederick II of Mecklenburg-Strelitz 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Louis Frederick Duke of Mecklenburg 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Christiane Emilie of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
Great x 2 Grandfather: Grand Duke Charles II of Mecklenburg Strelitz 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ernest Frederick Duke of Saxe-Hildburghausen 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Princess Elisabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Countess Sophia Albertine of Erbach-Erbach
Great x 1 Grandmother: Queen Louise of Prussia 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis VIII of Hesse-Darmstadt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Prince George William of Hesse-Darmstadt 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Princess Friederike of Hesse-Darmstadt 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Countess Maria Louise Albertine of Leiningen-Dagsburg-Falkenburg
Maria Holstein Gottorp Romanov 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Landgrave Ernest Louis of Hesse-Darmstadt 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis VIII of Hesse-Darmstadt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis IX of Hesse-Darmstadt 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Louis I Grand Duke of Hesse 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Count Palatine Christian III of Zweibrücken
Great x 2 Grandmother: Countess Palatine Caroline of Zweibrücken
GrandFather: Louis Hesse Darmstadt II Grand Duke 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Mother: Maria Alexandrovna Hesse Darmstadt 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Grand Duke Charles Frederick of Baden
Great x 1 Grandfather: Prince Charles Louis of Baden 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Landgrave Ernest Louis of Hesse-Darmstadt 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis VIII of Hesse-Darmstadt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Caroline Louise of Hesse-Darmstadt 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandMother: Princess Wilhelmine Baden 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Landgrave Ernest Louis of Hesse-Darmstadt 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis VIII of Hesse-Darmstadt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Landgrave Louis IX of Hesse-Darmstadt 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Princess Amalie of Hesse-Darmstadt 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Count Palatine Christian III of Zweibrücken
Great x 2 Grandmother: Countess Palatine Caroline of Zweibrücken