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: Cavendish
Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Milbanke Viscountess Melbourne 1751-1818
In 1917 [his father] Edward William Spencer Cavendish 10th Duke Devonshire [age 21] and [his mother] Mary Alice Gascoyne-Cecil Duchess Devonshire [age 21] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] James Gascoyne-Cecil 4th Marquess Salisbury [age 55] and [his grandmother] Cicely Anne Gore Marchioness Salisbury [age 49]. He the son of Victor Christian William Cavendish 9th Duke Devonshire [age 48] and Evelyn Emily Mary Petty-Fitzmaurice Duchess Devonshire [age 46].
On 2nd January 1920 Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire was born to [his father] Edward William Spencer Cavendish 10th Duke Devonshire [age 24] and [his mother] Mary Alice Gascoyne-Cecil Duchess Devonshire [age 24].
On 6th May 1938 [his grandfather] Victor Christian William Cavendish 9th Duke Devonshire [age 69] died at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire [Map]. He was buried at Cavendish Plot, St Peter's Church, Edensor [Map]. His son [his father] Edward [age 43] succeeded 10th Duke Devonshire, 13th Earl Devonshire, 5th Earl Burlington, 13th Baron Cavendish Hardwick. [his mother] Mary Alice Gascoyne-Cecil Duchess Devonshire [age 42] by marriage Duchess Devonshire. On 2nd April 1960 [his grandmother] Evelyn Emily Mary Petty-Fitzmaurice Duchess Devonshire [age 67] died. Both the Duke and Duchess were buried in the Cavendish Plot, St Peter's Church, Edensor [Map].
Evelyn Emily Mary Petty-Fitzmaurice Duchess Devonshire: On 27th August 1870 she was born to Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice 5th Marquess Lansdowne. On 30th July 1892 Victor Christian William Cavendish 9th Duke Devonshire and she were married. She by marriage Duchess Devonshire. She the daughter of Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice 5th Marquess Lansdowne. They were fifth cousins.
On 19th April 1941 Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire [age 21] and Deborah Mitford [age 21] were married. He the son of Edward William Spencer Cavendish 10th Duke Devonshire [age 45] and Mary Alice Gascoyne-Cecil Duchess Devonshire [age 45].
At the commencement of their honeymoon Deborah 'stopped the car when starting on her honeymoon and registered at a small Labour Exchange for National Service,' as per The Sketch.
In 1942 [his father] Edward William Spencer Cavendish 10th Duke Devonshire [age 46] was appointed 892nd Knight of the Garter by King George VI of the United Kingdom [age 46].
On 26th March 1943 [his daughter] Emma Cavendish was born to Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire [age 23] and [his wife] Deborah Vivien Mitford Duchess Devonshire [age 22] She married 3rd September 1963 Tobias Tennant, son of Christopher Tennant 2nd Baron Glenconner, and had issue.
On 27th April 1944 [his son] Peregrine Cavendish 12th Duke of Devonshire was born to Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire [age 24] and [his wife] Deborah Vivien Mitford Duchess Devonshire [age 24] at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire [Map]. He was educated at Eton College, Exeter College, Oxford, where he read history, and at the Royal Agricultural College (now the Royal Agricultural University), Cirencester. He married 28th June 1967 Amanda Carmen Heywood-Lonsdale Duchess of Devonshire and had issue.
On 6th May 1944 William Cavendish [age 26] and Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy [age 24] were married at Chelsea Register Office. She the daughter of Joseph Patrick Kennedy [age 55] and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald [age 53]. He the son of Edward William Spencer Cavendish 10th Duke Devonshire [age 49] and Mary Alice Gascoyne-Cecil Duchess Devonshire [age 48].
The Duke of Devonshire and the bride's eldest brother Joseph P. Kennedy Jr [age 28], a lieutenant in the United States Navy, signed the marriage register. The Duke of Rutland [age 24] served as best man.
The photos, from left to right, Mary, Duchess of Devonshire, the groom William, Marquess of Hartington, the bride Kathleen Kennedy, Joseph Kennedy, Edward, 10th Duke of Devonshire.
Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy: On 20th February 1920 she was born to Joseph Patrick Kennedy and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald at Brookline Massachusetts. On 13th May 1948 Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy and William Henry Lawrence Peter Wentworth-Fitzwilliam 8th and 6th Earl Fitzwilliam died in a plane crash at the Plateau du Coiron, Saint-Bauzile during the course of their journey from Paris [Map] to the French Riviera for a vacation aboard a de Havilland DH.104 Dove.. His first cousin once removed Eric succeeded 9th Earl Fitzwilliam, 7th Earl Fitzwilliam, 11th Baron Fitzwilliam of Liffer in Donegal. His wealth, estimated at 45 million pounds, including half of the Wentworth Woodhouse estate, the Coolattin estate in County Wicklow, Ireland, and a large part of the Fitzwilliam art collection went to his daughter Ann Juliet Dorothea Maud Wentworth-Fitzwilliam Marchioness Bristol.
Joseph Patrick Kennedy: On 25th July 1915 he was born to Joseph Patrick Kennedy and Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald. On 12th August 1944 Joseph Patrick Kennedy was killed at Blythburgh, Suffolk when his plane exploded over the English Channel during a top-secret mission.
On 9th September 1944 [his brother] William Cavendish [age 26] was killed in action by a sniper whilst leading a company trying to capture the town of Heppen in Belgium. He was buried at the Leopoldsburg War Cemetery.
On 26th November 1950 [his father] Edward William Spencer Cavendish 10th Duke Devonshire [age 55] died. His son Andrew [age 30] succeeded 11th Duke Devonshire, 14th Earl Devonshire, 6th Earl Burlington, 14th Baron Cavendish Hardwick. [his wife] Deborah Vivien Mitford Duchess Devonshire [age 30] by marriage Duchess Devonshire. On 24th December 1988 [his mother] Mary Alice Gascoyne-Cecil Duchess Devonshire [age 55] died. Both the Duke and Duchess were buried in the Cavendish Plot, St Peter's Church, Edensor [Map].
On 18th March 1957 [his daughter] Sophia Cavendish was born to Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire [age 37] and [his wife] Deborah Vivien Mitford Duchess Devonshire [age 36] She married (1) 19th July 1988 her third cousin Alastair Morrison 3rd Baron Margadale, son of James Morrison 2nd Baron Margadale.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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On 3rd September 1963 [his son-in-law] Tobias Tennant [age 22] and Emma Cavendish [age 20] were married. She the daughter of Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire [age 43] and Deborah Vivien Mitford Duchess Devonshire [age 43].
On 28th June 1967 Peregrine Cavendish 12th Duke of Devonshire [age 23] and Amanda Carmen Heywood-Lonsdale Duchess of Devonshire [age 23] were married. He the son of Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire [age 47] and Deborah Vivien Mitford Duchess Devonshire [age 47].
On 19th July 1988 [his son-in-law] Alastair Morrison 3rd Baron Margadale [age 30] and Sophia Cavendish [age 31] were married. She the daughter of Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire [age 68] and Deborah Vivien Mitford Duchess Devonshire [age 68]. They were third cousins.
Before 2nd September 1999 [his son-in-law] Alastair Morrison 3rd Baron Margadale [age 41] and [his daughter] Sophia Cavendish [age 42] were divorced.
2000. The steps to the St Peter's Church, Edensor [Map] were re-built and repaired to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Dukedom of Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire [age 79].
On 3rd May 2004 Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire [age 84] died. His son Peregrine [age 60] succeeded 12th Duke Devonshire, 15th Earl Devonshire, 15th Baron Cavendish Hardwick, 7th Earl Burlington. Amanda Carmen Heywood-Lonsdale Duchess of Devonshire [age 60] by marriage Duchess Devonshire.
After 3rd May 2004. Cavendish Plot, St Peter's Church, Edensor [Map]. Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire [deceased] and [his former wife] Deborah Vivien Mitford Duchess Devonshire [age 84].
On 24th September 2014 [his former wife] Deborah Vivien Mitford Duchess Devonshire [age 94] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 21 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 22 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 25 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edward IV of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 31 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Augustus Henry Cavendish 1st Earl Burlington 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cavendish 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Compton Countess Burlington 
12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Cavendish 7th Duke Devonshire 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Louisa O'Callaghan
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Cavendish 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick Howard 5th Earl Carlisle 
11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Howard 6th Earl Carlisle 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Caroline Leveson-Gower Countess Carlisle 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 2 Grandmother: Blanche Georgiana Howard 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Georgiana Cavendish Countess Carlisle 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire 
10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
GrandFather: Victor Christian William Cavendish 9th Duke Devonshire 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Lascelles 1st Earl Harewood 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Lascelles 2nd Earl Harewood
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Chaloner Baroness Harewood
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Lascelles
Great x 3 Grandmother: Henrietta Sebright Countess Harewood
Great x 1 Grandmother: Emma Elizabeth Lascelles 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick Howard 5th Earl Carlisle 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Howard 6th Earl Carlisle 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Caroline Leveson-Gower Countess Carlisle 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 2 Grandmother: Caroline Georgiana Howard 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cavendish 5th Duke Devonshire 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Georgiana Cavendish Countess Carlisle 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Georgiana Spencer Duchess Devonshire 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Father: Edward William Spencer Cavendish 10th Duke Devonshire 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Petty 1st Marquess Lansdowne
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice 3rd Marquess Lansdowne 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Louisa Fitzpatrick Marchioness Lansdowne 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Thomas Petty-Fitzmaurice 4th Marquess Lansdowne 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Thomas Fox-Strangways 2nd Earl of Ilchester 
12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Louisa Emma Fox-Strangways Marchioness of Lansdowne 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Theresa O'Grady Countess of Ilchester
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice 5th Marquess Lansdowne 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Joseph Comte de Flahaut
Great x 2 Grandmother: Emily Jane de Flahaut Marchioness Lansdowne 20 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith 18 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Mercer Elphinstone Countess Flahaut and 2nd Baroness Keith 19 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Mercer
GrandMother: Evelyn Emily Mary Petty-Fitzmaurice Duchess Devonshire 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Andrew Cavendish 11th Duke Devonshire 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Cecil 6th Earl of Salisbury 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward IV of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Cecil 1st Marquess Salisbury 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward IV of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Keet Countess of Salisbury
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Brownlow William Gascoyne-Cecil 2nd Marquess Salisbury 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Wills Hill 1st Marquess Downshire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Amelia Hill Marchioness Salisbury 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaretta Fitzgerald 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Gascoyne-Cecil 3rd Marquess Salisbury 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Bamber Gascoigne "The Elder"
Great x 3 Grandfather: Bamber "The Younger" Gascoyne
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Green
Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Mary Gascoyne Marchioness Salisbury
Great x 4 Grandfather: Chase Price
Great x 3 Grandmother: Sarah Bridget Frances Price
Great x 4 Grandmother: Susan Evelyn
GrandFather: James Gascoyne-Cecil 4th Marquess Salisbury 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward IV of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Georgina Alderson Marchioness of Salisbury
Mother: Mary Alice Gascoyne-Cecil Duchess Devonshire 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Arthur Saunders Gore 2nd Earl Arran 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William John Gore 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Annesley 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Philip Gore 4th Earl Arran 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Hales 4th Baronet 18 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Caroline Hales 19 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Arthur Saunders Gore 5th Earl Arran 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Francis Patrick Napier
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Marianne Napier Countess Arran
GrandMother: Cicely Anne Gore Marchioness Salisbury 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Jocelyn 2nd Earl Roden 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Jocelyn 3rd Earl Roden 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Jocelyn 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Stapleton 12th Baron Despencer 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maria Frances Catherine Stapleton Countess Roden 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Eliot Baroness Despencer
Great x 1 Grandmother: Edith Jocelyn 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Nassau Clavering-Cowper 3rd Earl Cowper 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter Nassau Clavering-Cowper 5th Earl Cowper 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hannah Anna Gore 3rd Countess Cowper
Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Elizabeth Cowper 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Penistone Lamb 1st Viscount Melbourne
Great x 3 Grandmother: Emily Lamb Countess Cowper 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Milbanke Viscountess Melbourne 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England