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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
William Orpen is in Painters.
Before 27th November 1878 [his father] Arthur Herbert Orpen (age 48) and [his mother] Anne Caulfield were married.
On 27th November 1878 William Orpen was born to [his father] Arthur Herbert Orpen (age 48) and [his mother] Anne Caulfield at Stillorgan, Dublin.
1900. William Orpen (age 21). "The Mirror". Model Emily Scoble from the Slade School of Art tto whom the artist was briefly engaged. She ended their relationship in 1901.
1901. William Orpen (age 22). Self-Portrait. "The family of George Swinton" including George Swinton (age 41) and Elizabeth Ebsworth.
George Swinton: On 10th May 1859 he was born to Archibald Campbell Swinton and Georgiana Caroline Sitwell. In 1895 George Swinton and Elizabeth Ebsworth were married. On 17th January 1937 George Swinton died.
Elizabeth Ebsworth: she was born to E H Ebsworth of Gattonside.
After 1901 William Orpen (age 22) and Grace Knewstub were married.
1905. William Orpen (age 26). "The Mirror".
1907. William Orpen (age 28). Self-Portrait. "Self-portrait with glasses".
Around 1907. William Orpen (age 28). Portrait of Grace Gifford (age 18).
Grace Gifford: On 4th March 1888 she was born. On 3rd May 1916 Joseph Plunkett and she were married in the chapel of Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, a few hours before he was executed. Guards John Smith and John Lockerby were the only two witnesses. On 4th May 1916 Joseph Plunkett was executed for his part in the Easter Rising. His wife, Grace Gifford, who hed had married hours before, was woken at two am and taken back to the jail where they had their final meeting. On 13th December 1955 she died.
Around 1908 to 1912. William Orpen (age 29). "[his wife] Grace reading at Howth Bay". Model the artist's wife Grace Knewstub.
Grace Knewstub: After 1901 William Orpen and she were married.
1913. William Orpen (age 34). Self-Portrait. "Sowing New Seed".
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
1913. William Orpen (age 34). Self-Portrait. "Sowing New Seed".
1915. William Orpen (age 36). Portrait of Myra Idina Sackville Countess of Erroll (age 21).
1917. William Orpen (age 38). Portrait of Lady Marriott, Maud "Momo" Kahn (age 20).
Maud "Momo" Kahn: In 1897 she was born. In 1920 John Charles Oakes Marriott and she were married. In 1960 she died.
1917. William Orpen (age 38). Portrait of Yvonne Aubicq.
1917. William Orpen (age 38). "The Refugee". Model Yvonne Aubicq.
1917. William Orpen (age 38). Self-Portrait.
1918. William Orpen (age 39). "Zonnebeke".
1918. William Orpen (age 39). "Dead Germans in a Trench".
1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of Edgar Gascoyne-Cecil 1st Viscount Cecil (age 54).
1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of Charles Sackville-West 4th Baron Sackville (age 48).
Charles Sackville-West 4th Baron Sackville: On 10th August 1870 he was born to William Sackville-West and Georgina Dodwell. On 28th January 1928 Lionel Sackville-West 3rd Baron Sackville died. His brother Charles succeeded 4th Baron Sackville of Knole in Kent. On 8th May 1962 Charles Sackville-West 4th Baron Sackville died. His son Edward succeeded 5th Baron Sackville of Knole in Kent.
1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of George Allardice 1st Baron Riddell (age 53).
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
1919. William Orpen (age 40). Portrait of Edward George Villiers Stanley 17th Earl of Derby (age 53).
In 1926 [his father] Arthur Herbert Orpen (age 96) died.
1928. William Orpen (age 49). Portrait of Ernest Benn 2nd Baronet (age 52).
Ernest Benn 2nd Baronet: On 25th June 1875 he was born. On 17th January 1954 he died.
1929. William Orpen (age 50). Portrait of Reginald Brabazon 12th Earl of Meath (age 87).
Reginald Brabazon 12th Earl of Meath: On 31st July 1841 he was born to William Brabazon 11th Earl of Meath and Harriot Brooke Countess Meath. In 1868 Reginald Brabazon 12th Earl of Meath and Mary Jane Maitland Countess Meath were married. She the daughter of Thomas Maitland 11th Earl Lauderdale and Amelia Young. He the son of William Brabazon 11th Earl of Meath and Harriot Brooke Countess Meath. On 26th May 1887 William Brabazon 11th Earl of Meath died. His son Reginald succeeded 12th Earl Meath, 13th Baron Ardee, 3rd Baron Chaworth of Eaton Hall in Herefordshire. Mary Jane Maitland Countess Meath by marriage Countess Meath. On 11th October 1929 Reginald Brabazon 12th Earl of Meath died. He was buried at Delgany Church, County Wicklow. His son Reginald succeeded 13th Earl Meath, 14th Baron Ardee, 4th Baron Chaworth of Eaton Hall in Herefordshire.
On 29th September 1931 William Orpen (age 52) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 21 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 27 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 22 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 25 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 21 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 23 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Father: Arthur Herbert Orpen
William Orpen 15 x Great Grand Son of
GrandFather: Bishop Charles Caulfield
Mother: Anne Caulfield 14 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry St George 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: George St George 10 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard St George 1st Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Bligh 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizzabeth Bligh
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Bligh St George 2nd Baronet 12 x Great Grand Son of
GrandMother: Grace St George 13 x Great Grand Daughter of