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: Norman
On 28th July 1430 Elizabeth Fitzwalter Baroness Dinham 8th Baroness Fitzwalter was born to [her father] Walter Fitzwalter 7th Baron Fitzwalter (age 30).
On 25th November 1431 [her father] Walter Fitzwalter 7th Baron Fitzwalter (age 31) drowned at sea in a storm whilst returning from France.
Elizabeth Fitzwalter Baroness Dinham 8th Baroness Fitzwalter (age 2) succeeded 8th Baroness Fitzwalter. Note. Chronicle of Gregory 1432 states 24th November 1432 or, more specifically, "on Syn Kateryn ys eve" - St Katherine's feast day is 25 Nov.
Before 27th October 1444 John Radclyffe Baron Fitzwalter (age 18) and Elizabeth Fitzwalter Baroness Dinham 8th Baroness Fitzwalter (age 14) were married. He by marriage Baron Fitzwalter. They were third cousins.
In 1452 [her son] John Radclyffe 9th Baron Fitzwalter was born to [her husband] John Radclyffe Baron Fitzwalter (age 26) and Elizabeth Fitzwalter Baroness Dinham 8th Baroness Fitzwalter (age 21). He married before 1483 Margaret Whetehill and had issue.
In 1460 [her future husband] John Dynham 1st Baron Dynham (age 27) was appointed Lord Chancellor of Ireland.
On 28th March 1461 a skirmish occurred near Ferrybridge. Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury (age 32) fought. [her husband] John Radclyffe Baron Fitzwalter (age 35) was killed.
John "Butcher" Clifford 9th Baron Clifford (age 25) was killed at Dintingdale. His son Henry (age 7) succeeded 10th Baron de Clifford, 10th Lord Skipton.
William Neville 1st Earl Kent (age 56) fought for York.
In 1467 [her future husband] John Dynham 1st Baron Dynham (age 34) was created 1st Baron Dinham. Elizabeth Fitzwalter Baroness Dinham 8th Baroness Fitzwalter (age 36) by marriage Baroness Dinham.
Around 15th March 1467 John Dynham 1st Baron Dynham (age 34) and Elizabeth Fitzwalter Baroness Dinham 8th Baroness Fitzwalter (age 36) were married. They were sixth cousins.
Before 1483 [her son] John Radclyffe 9th Baron Fitzwalter (age 30) and [her daughter-in-law] Margaret Whetehill were married.
In 1483 [her husband] John Dynham 1st Baron Dynham (age 50) was appointed Lieutenant Calais.
Around 1485 [her husband] John Dynham 1st Baron Dynham (age 52) and Elizabeth Willoughby Baroness Dynham were married. She by marriage Baroness Dinham. They were half fifth cousin once removed.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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On 22nd August 1485 Elizabeth Fitzwalter Baroness Dinham 8th Baroness Fitzwalter (age 55) died. Her son [her son] John (age 33) succeeded 9th Baron Fitzwalter.
On 28th January 1501 [her former husband] John Dynham 1st Baron Dynham (age 68) died at Lambeth, Surrey [Map]. He was buried at Greyfriars Church Farringdon Within [Map]. Baron Dinham extinct.
Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Fitzwalter 1st Baron Fitzwalter 
Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Fitzwalter 2nd Baron Fitzwalter 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Ferrers Baroness Fitzwalter 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Fitzwalter 3rd Baron Fitzwalter 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas de Multon 1st Baron Multon 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan de Multon Baroness Fitzwalter
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Burgh Baroness Multon Egremont 
Great x 1 Grandfather: Walter Fitzwalter 4th Baron Fitzwalter 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 9th and 1st Baron Percy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Percy 10th and 2nd Baron Percy 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Fitzalan Baroness Percy 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Percy Baroness Fitzwalter 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Idonia Clifford Baroness Percy 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Clare Baroness Clifford Baroness Welles 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
GrandFather: Walter Fitzwalter 5th Baron Fitzwalter 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Mohun 1st Baron Dunster 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Mohun 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ada Tiptoft Baroness Dunster 
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Mohun 2nd Baron Mohun of Dunster 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Segrave 2nd Baron Segrave 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Christiana Segrave
Great x 1 Grandmother: Philippa Mohun Duchess York 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Bartholomew "The Elder" Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Badlesmere Baroness Burghesh 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Burghesh Baroness Dunster 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Theobald Verdun 2nd Lord Verdun 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Verdun Baroness Burghesh 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Mortimer Lady Verdun 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Father: Walter Fitzwalter 7th Baron Fitzwalter 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Elizabeth Fitzwalter Baroness Dinham 8th Baroness Fitzwalter 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England