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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Biography of Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona 1079-1126

Paternal Family Tree: Jimenez

In 1069 [her father] Alfonso "Brave" VI King Leon VI King Castile (age 28) and Agnes Poitiers Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Castile (age 10) were married. She the daughter of Guy William Poitiers VIII Duke Aquitaine (age 44) and Mateoda Duchess Aquitaine. He the son of [her grandfather] Ferdinand "Great" I King Leon and [her grandmother] Sancha Astur Leonese.

In 1079 [her father] Alfonso "Brave" VI King Leon VI King Castile (age 38) and [her mother] Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile and Leon (age 33) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile, Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Robert I Duke Burgundy and [her grandmother] Helie Samur Duchess Burgundy. He the son of [her grandfather] Ferdinand "Great" I King Leon and [her grandmother] Sancha Astur Leonese.

In April 1079 Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona was born to [her father] Alfonso "Brave" VI King Leon VI King Castile (age 38) and [her mother] Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile and Leon (age 33).

In 1093 [her mother] Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile and Leon (age 47) died.

Around 1100 [her daughter] Sancha Raimúndez Ivrea was born to Raymond Ivrea (age 30) and Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona (age 20).

Before 1103 [her brother-in-law] Raymond Rouerge IV Count Toulouse (age 61) and [her illegitimate half-sister] Elvira Alfónsez Jiménez Queen Consort Sicily (age 23) were married. She by marriage Countess Toulouse. The difference in their ages was 38 years. She the illegitmate daughter of [her father] Alfonso "Brave" VI King Leon VI King Castile (age 61) and Jimena Munoz. He the son of Pons Rouerge Margrave Provence and Almodis La Marche Margrave Provence.

In 1104 Peter I King Aragon I King Pamplona (age 36) died. His half brother [her future husband] Alfonso (age 31) succeeded I King Aragon, I King Pamplona.

On 1st March 1105 [her son] Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon was born to Raymond Ivrea (age 35) and Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona (age 25). He married (1) November 1128 his third cousin once removed Berenguela Barcelona Queen Consort Castile and Leon, daughter of Raymond III Count Barcelona and Douce Gevaudan Countess Barcelona, and had issue (2) 1152 Richeza Unknown Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon and had issue.

In 1109 Alfonso I King Aragon I King Pamplona (age 36) and Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona (age 29) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon, Queen Consort Pamplona. She the daughter of Alfonso "Brave" VI King Leon VI King Castile (age 68) and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile and Leon. He the son of Sancho Ramírez I King Aragon V King Pamplona and Felicia Montdidier Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona (age 49). They were half second cousins.

On 1st July 1109 [her father] Alfonso "Brave" VI King Leon VI King Castile (age 68) died. His daughter Urracca (age 30) succeeded Queen Leon, Queen Castile and Queen Galicia.

In 1112 Alfonso I King Aragon I King Pamplona (age 39) and Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona (age 32) were divorced.

In 1117 [her brother-in-law] Roger II King Sicily (age 21) and [her illegitimate half-sister] Elvira Alfónsez Jiménez Queen Consort Sicily (age 37) were married. She the illegitmate daughter of [her father] Alfonso "Brave" VI King Leon VI King Castile and Jimena Munoz.

Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'

This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.

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On 8th March 1126 Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona (age 46) died.

In 1134 [her former husband] Alfonso I King Aragon I King Pamplona (age 61) died. His brother [her former brother-in-law] Ramiro (age 47) succeeded I King Aragon.

Raymond Ivrea and Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona were married. She the daughter of Alfonso "Brave" VI King Leon VI King Castile and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile and Leon. He the son of William I Count Burgundy and Ettiennette Countess Burgundy. They were fourth cousin once removed.

Royal Ancestors of Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona 1079-1126

Kings Franks: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 2 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 6 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Royal Descendants of Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona 1079-1126
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon [1]

Ancestors of Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona 1079-1126

Great x 4 Grandfather: García I King Pamplona

Great x 3 Grandfather: Sancho II King Pamplona

Great x 4 Grandmother: Andregoto Aznárez

Great x 2 Grandfather: García Sánchez "Tremulous" II King Pamplona

Great x 4 Grandfather: Fernán González Count Castile

Great x 3 Grandmother: Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sancha Sánchez

Great x 1 Grandfather: Sancho "Great" III King Pamplona

Great x 3 Grandfather: Fernando Bermúdez

Great x 2 Grandmother: Jimena Fernández Bermúdez Queen Consort Pamplona

GrandFather: Ferdinand "Great" I King Leon

Great x 2 Grandfather: Sancho García

Great x 1 Grandmother: Muniadona García Queen Consort Pamplona

Father: Alfonso "Brave" VI King Leon VI King Castile

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ramiro II King Leon

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Ordoño III of Leon

Great x 2 Grandfather: Bermudo "Gouty" II King Galicia II King Leon

Great x 4 Grandfather: Fernán González Count Castile

Great x 3 Grandmother: Urraca González Queen Consort Leon Queen Consort Pamplona

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sancha Sánchez

Great x 1 Grandfather: Alfonso "Noble" V King Leon

Great x 3 Grandfather: García Fernández of Castile

Great x 2 Grandmother: Elviro Garcia Queen Galicia

GrandMother: Sancha Astur Leonese

Great x 2 Grandfather: Menendo González

Great x 1 Grandmother: Elvira González Queen Consort Leon

Urracca "Reckless" Jiménez Queen Consort Aragon and Pamplona

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert I King West Francia

Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh "Great" Capet Count Paris

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Vermandois

Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh I King of the Franks

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry "Fowler" I King East Francia

Great x 3 Grandmother: Hedwig Saxon Ottonian

Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks

Great x 2 Grandmother: Adelaide Poitiers Queen Consort France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Rollo Duke Normandy

Great x 3 Grandmother: Gerloc aka Adela Normandy Duchess Aquitaine

Great x 4 Grandmother: Poppa Unknown Duchess Normandy

GrandFather: Robert I Duke Burgundy

Great x 1 Grandmother: Constance Arles Queen Consort France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Fulk "Red" Ingelger 1st Count Anjou

Great x 3 Grandfather: Fulk "Good" Ingelger 2nd Count Anjou

Great x 4 Grandmother: Roscille Loches Countess Anjou

Great x 2 Grandmother: Adelaide Blanche Ingelger Queen Consort West Francia

Great x 4 Grandfather: Ratburnus I Viscount of Vienne

Great x 3 Grandmother: Gerberge Unknown Viscountess Anjou

Mother: Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile and Leon

GrandMother: Helie Samur Duchess Burgundy