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: Wessex
Cwichelm King of Wessex was born to [his father] King Cynegils of Wessex.
In 611 [his father] King Cynegils of Wessex succeeded King Wessex.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 614. This year [his father] Cynegils and Cwichelm fought at Bampton, and slew two thousand and forty-six of the Welsh.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 626. This year came Eamer from Cwichelm, king of the West-Saxons, with a design to assassinate King Edwin [aged 40]; but he killed Lilla his thane, and Forthere, and wounded the king. The same night a daughter was born to Edwin, whose name was Eanfleda. Then promised the king to Paulinus, that he would devote his daughter to God, if he would procure at the hand of God, that he might destroy his enemy, who had sent the assassin to him. He then advanced against the West-Saxons with an army, felled on the spot five kings, and slew many of their men. This year Eanfleda, the daughter of King Edwin, was baptized, on the holy eve of Pentecost. And the king within twelve months was baptized, at Easter, with all his people. Easter was then on the twelfth of April. This was done at York [Map], where he had ordered a church to be built of timber, which was hallowed in the name of St. Peter. There the king gave the bishopric to Paulinus; and there he afterwards ordered a larger church to be built of stone. This year Penda began to reign; and reigned thirty winters. He had seen fifty winters when he began to reign. Penda was the son of Wybba, Wybba of Creoda, Creoda of Cynewald-, Cynewald of Cnebba-, Cnebba of Icel, Icel of Eomer, Eomer of Angelthew, Angelthew of Offa, Offa of Wearmund, Wearmund of Whitley, Whitley of Woden.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 628. This year [his father] Cynegils and Cwichelm fought with Penda at Cirencester, Gloucestershire [Map], and afterwards entered into a treaty there.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 636. This year King Cwichelm was baptized at Dorchester [Map], and died the same year. Bishop Felix also preached to the East-Angles the belief of Christ.
In 636 Bishop Birinus of Dorchester baptised [his father] King Cynegils' son Cwichelm King of Wessex.
In 636 Cwichelm King of Wessex was killed at Scutchamer Knob, Oxfordshire [Map].
[his son] Cuthred King of Wessex was born to Cwichelm King of Wessex.
Kings Wessex: Son of King Cynegils of Wessex
Great x 3 Grandfather: Cerdic King Wessex
Great x 2 Grandfather: Cynric King Wessex
Great x 1 Grandfather: Cutha Wessex
GrandFather: Ceol King Wessex
Father: King Cynegils of Wessex