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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A True Account of the Horrid Conspiracy is in Stewart Books.
Upon the whole Process he was found guilty of High Treason. But in stead of Drawing, Hanging and Quartering, the usual and legal Penalty of that Crime,the Execution was by his Majesties Clemency changed into that of Beheading. Though it is well known,this very Prerogative of the Kings having it in his Power to alter the Punishment of High Treason, had been vehemently disputed by the Party, and particularly by the Lord Russel himself in the Lord Stafford's Case.
The said Lord Russel (age 43) at the time of his Death, which was the 21st of that Month [21st July 1683], deliver'd a Paper to the Sheriffs, and left other Copies of it with his Friends, whereby it was immediately dispers'd amongst the People, the general drift of it being to make odious Insinuations against the Government, invidious Reflections on the Ministers of his Majesties Justice and undue Extenuations of his own Fault.
But the whole Evidence against Walcot being elear and positive Testimony, and what he pleaded for himself being only his own single Affirmation and Negation, without any support of Witnesses,the Jury immediately brought him in Guilty of High Treason. According to which Sentence he was Executed on the 20th of the said Month [20th June 1683]. At the time of his Execution he again acknowledg'd what he had told the King, and writ to the Secretary of State, 'That the Business was laid very deep he said, An Act of Indulgence would do well, because the King had a great many Men to take Judgment of: He persisted, he was to have had no hand in his Majesties Death, though he confess'd it was proposed when he was present: He declared he did not know that this Conspiracy was older than the August or September before: but so old he own'd it was.'
Then was he [Thomas Armstrong (age 51)] order'd to be Executed June the 20th [1684]. At the place of Execution he likewife deliver'd the Sheriffs a Paper, wherein he continued to Object against the legal Course of the Proceedings upon him, complaining, 'That with an unordinary roughness he had been condemned and made a President, though HoIIoway, being also Outlaw'd, had his Tryal offer'd him a little before.'
As to the new Evidence against him, which the Kings Atturney mention'd at theKings-Bench, he only answer'd it by a bold and flat denial, affirming upon his Death, He never had any Design against the Kngs Life, nor the Life of any Man both which may be easily allowed to be equally true.