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: Paulett
Around 1457 Amyas Paulett was born to [his father] William Paulett (age 52).
In or before 1480 Amyas Paulett (age 22) and Margaret Paulet (age 17) were married. They were second cousin once removed.
Around 1480 [his wife] Margaret Paulet (age 18) died.
In or after 1480 Amyas Paulett (age 23) and Laura Kellaway (age 17) were married.
In October 1488 [his father] William Paulett (age 83) died.
Polydore Vergil [1470-1555]. Around 20th September 1497. Learning of his enemies' departure, Henry (age 40) headed straight for Taunton, Somerset [Map]. Duke Edward of Buckingham (age 19) arrived there, a young man endowed with great spirit and virtue of character, and he was followed by a host of right noble knights with armour and all the other things requisite for warfare. In that number were Giles Briggs, Alexander Baynham, Maurice Berkeley, Robert Tames, John Guise, Robert Point, Henry Vernon, John Mortimer, Thomas Tremayle, Edward Sutton, Amyas Powlet (age 40), John Bicknell, John Sapcot, Hugh Luterell, John Wadham and his son Nicholas, John Speck, Richard Beauchamp of St. Amand, Francis Cheney, Rogerd Tokett, Thomas Long, Nicholas Lattimer, John d'Urbeville, William Storton, Roger Newberg, William Martin, Thomas Lind, Henry Rogers, Walter Hungerford, John Semery, Edward Carell, Maurice Borroughs, William Norris, John Langford, Richard Corbett, Thomas Blount, Richard Lacon, Thomas Cornwallis, and many other excellent soldiers. Meanwhile, when the king had come up, either to avoid delaying the fight or fearing the fortune of war, he sent ahead Robert Lord Broke, Richard Thomas, and Giles Daubney (age 46) to begin the battle, while he followed after, so that, when he saw the battle begin, he could either come to the aid of his men or launch a simultaneous attack on the enemy rear. But the king's plan was unnecessary. For Peter (age 23) was so far from standing his ground, that after he learned the enemy were in arms, he furtively slipped away in the night and quickly fled to the asylum at Beaulieu Abbey [Map]. Whether he did this out of cowardice (with which he was well supplied), or because he suspected trickery, is not known, but it is well enough agreed that it was a good thing for the king that he was not compelled to come to blows with the Cornishmen, whose strength was so enhanced by despair that they had all determined on conquering or dying to the last man in that battle.
Polydore Vergil [1470-1555]. [After 4th October 1497]. A rumor came to Flanders that Peter (age 23) had achieved nothing, but rather was in chains, and this brought Princess Margaret (age 51) many tears, for she had spent many fearful nights waiting news of his doings. Having done these things with success, Henry (age 40), not unaware that the greatest enticement to wrongdoing is the hope of impunity, quickly held an inquisition so that he might henceforth keep his subjects loyal more easily. He discovered that there were many men, both in Devonshire and Someret, who had helped the Cornishmen with their money and provisions when they were undertaking this war, and afterwards when they were routed and fleeing homeward. And he decided to mulct these people of as much as they could pay, in proportion to the gravity of their offence. He assigned this responsibility to Sir Amyas Powlet (age 40), who soon thereafter was given Robert Scherburn (age 44), Dean of St. Paul's, as a colleague. They first swept like a gale through the fortunes of virtual the inhabitants of both counties, so that no man implicated in that capital affair could evade his deserved punishment. But they dealt more mildly with many men who had committed their misdeeds out of fear or compulsion, rather than free will.
In or before 1509 [his son] Hugh Paulett was born to Amyas Paulett (age 51) and [his wife] Laura Kellaway (age 45) at Hinton St George, Somerset. He married (1) 1528 Philippa Pollard and had issue (2) after 29th January 1559 Elizabeth Blount.
Around 1528 [his son] Hugh Paulett (age 19) and [his daughter-in-law] Philippa Pollard were married.
On 25th June 1538 Amyas Paulett (age 81) died.
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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In 1576 Nicholas Hilliard (age 29) travelled to France where he stayed with the English Ambassdor to France Amyas Paulett.
Around 1577 Nicholas Hilliard (age 30) painted a portrait of Amyas Paulett.
On 1st February 1587 Queen Elizabeth I (age 53) signed the Death Warrant of Mary Queen of Scot's (age 44) (her first cousin once-removed). Elizabeth gave orders of Mary's jailor Amyas Paulett to complete the task.
8th February 1587. Robert Beale (age 46) was an eye-witness to the Execution of Mary Queen of Scots. Those indicated include 1 George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 59), 2 Henry Grey 6th Earl Kent (age 46), 3 Amyas Paulett. The drawing appears to show three events rather than a moment in time: her being led into the Hall, her being disrobed and being beheaded.
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Paulett
GrandFather: Thomas Paulett
Father: William Paulett