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: Luxemburg
John Luxemburg II was appointed II Count Ligny.
Around 1387 [his father] John Luxemburg Count St Pol (age 17) and [his mother] Margaret Brienne (age 22) were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Guy of Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol and Ligny and [his grandmother] Mathilde Chatillon Countess Saint Pol.
In 1392 John Luxemburg II was born to [his father] John Luxemburg Count St Pol (age 22) and [his mother] Margaret Brienne (age 27).
In 1397 [his father] John Luxemburg Count St Pol (age 27) died.
On 8th May 1405 [his brother] Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol (age 15) and [his sister-in-law] Margherita Baux (age 11) were married. She the daughter of Francesco Baux 1st Duke Andria (age 75) and Sueva Orsini (age 45). They were sixth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John of England.
Before 26th October 1415 [his brother] Louis of Luxembourg was consecrated Bishop of Thérouanne.
On 23rd November 1418 John Luxemburg II (age 26) and Jeanne de Béthune Viscountess Béthune (age 21) were married.
In 1430 [his brother] Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol (age 40) was created I Count Saint Pol.
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 1430 John Luxemburg II (age 38) sold Joan of Arc to the English for 10,000 livres.
On 23rd May 1430 Joan of Arc (age 18) was captured during the Siege of Compiègne. John Luxemburg II (age 38) commanded the rear-guard. Philip "Good" Valois III Duke Burgundy (age 33) fought.
On 31st August 1433 [his brother] Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol (age 43) died of plague at Rambures, Somme. His son [his nephew] Louis (age 15) succeeded I Count Saint Pol.
In 1435 [his brother] Louis of Luxembourg fled to English held Rouen, France [Map] when the French recovered Paris. He was appointed Archbishop of Rouen. His niece [his niece] Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford (age 20) married the English regent John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford (age 45).
Around 1437 [his brother] Louis of Luxembourg travelled to England where he was appointed Bishop of Ely.
Around 1437 [his brother] Louis of Luxembourg travelled to England where he was appointed Bishop of Ely.
In 1439 [his brother] Louis of Luxembourg was appointed Cardinal by Pope Eugene IV (age 56) at the request of the English.
On 5th January 1441 John Luxemburg II (age 49) died at Guise, Aisne.
In 1450 [his former wife] Jeanne de Béthune Viscountess Béthune (age 53) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 7 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 15 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry "Great" Luxemburg V Count Luxemburg III Count Namur 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Waleran I of Luxemburg 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret of Bar Countess Luxemburg and Namur 4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Waleran II of Luxemburg 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jeanne Dame Beaurevoir
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Luxemburg Lord of Ligby 7 x Great Grand Son of
GrandFather: Guy of Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol and Ligny 8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Dampierre Count Flanders 
4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Guillaume Dampierre 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mathilde Bethune
Great x 2 Grandfather: Guy of Dampierre Richebourg 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Raoul II de Clermont 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alix Clermont 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alix Capet I Viscountess Châteaudun 
Great x 1 Grandmother: Alix Dampierre 7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Father: John Luxemburg Count St Pol 3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Chatillon I Count Blois V Count Saint Pol
Great x 3 Grandfather: Guy Chatillon III Count Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Avesnes 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Guy Chatillon IV Count Saint Pol 3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Reginar II Duke Brabant Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Matilda Reginar Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Swabia Duchess Brabant
Great x 1 Grandfather: Jean Chatillon Count Saint Pol Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John "The Red" Capet I Duke Brittany 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: John II Duke Brittany 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche "Navarre" Blois Duchess Brittany 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Marie Capet Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry III of England 
Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatrice Plantagenet Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England 
GrandMother: Mathilde Chatillon Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Enguerrand Ingleram Fiennes 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Fiennes
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Provence 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Jean Fiennes 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Beaumont 
2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche Beaumont 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jeanne Chateaudun
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jeanne Fiennes 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Dampierre II Count Flanders
Great x 3 Grandfather: Guy Dampierre Count Flanders 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret II Countess Flanders 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabelle Dampierre 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry "Great" Luxemburg V Count Luxemburg III Count Namur
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabelle Luxemburg Countess Flanders 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret of Bar Countess Luxemburg and Namur 4 x Great Grand Daughter of
John Luxemburg II Count Ligny 4 x Great Grand Son of
GrandFather: Louis Count of Enghien
Mother: Margaret Brienne