All About History Books on Amazon

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.

Created Marchionesses of England

Created Marchionesses of England is in Marquessates of England.

On 1st September 1532 Anne Boleyn [aged 31] was created 1st Marchioness Pembroke with Henry VIII [aged 41] performing the investiture at Windsor Castle [Map]. The Letter of Creation [Harley 303.1; see image] using the Latin 'marchionisse Penbrochie' i.e. "Marchioness of Pembroke". It isn't clear whether the Letter of Creation is a single page we note the absence of any description of whether the title is to descend to her heir's, male, legitimate, otherwise. We also note the first letter contains Anne's emblem of a 'falcon on a stump' although Anne's falcon was white age may have affected the colour of the Letter.

Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde [aged 55], Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 48], Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 59], Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland [aged 37], Jean Dinteville, Archbishop Edward Lee [aged 50], Bishop John Stokesley [aged 57] were present.

Bishop Stephen Gardiner [aged 49] read the Patent of Creation.

Mary Howard Duchess Richmond and Somerset [aged 13] carried Anne's train replacing her mother Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk [aged 35] who had been banished from Court. Anne and Mary were cousins.

Charles Wriothesley [aged 24] attended.

Jean Dinteville: he was appointed Ambassador to England. Around 1532 Jean Dinteville posed for Holbein's painting The Ambassadors.

Archbishop Edward Lee: Around 1482 he was born to Richard Lee of Lee Magna. In 1531 he was appointed Archbishop of York. On 13th September 1544 he died.

Charles Wriothesley: On 8th May 1508 he was born to Thomas Wriothesley. After 24th November 1534 he was appointed Windsor Herald of Arms in Ordinary. On 25th January 1562 he died.

Click to read more ...