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: Hastings
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Pakenham 1485-1544
Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield was born to [her father] Francis Hastings and [her mother] Sarah Harrington.
Before 24th April 1586 [her father] Francis Hastings (age 26) and [her mother] Sarah Harrington (age 21) were married. He the son of [her grandfather] George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon (age 46) and [her grandmother] Dorothy Port Countess Huntingdon.
On 17th December 1595 [her father] Francis Hastings (age 35) died.
On 15th January 1601 [her brother] Henry Hastings 5th Earl Huntingdon (age 14) and [her sister-in-law] Elizabeth Stanley Countess Huntingdon (age 13) were married. She the daughter of Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby and Alice Spencer Countess Derby (age 51). They were fourth cousins. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
In 1604 Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 20) and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield were married. They were half second cousins.
On 30th December 1604 [her grandfather] George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon (age 64) died. His grandson [her brother] Henry (age 18) succeeded 5th Earl Huntingdon, 10th Baron Botreaux, 9th Baron Hungerford, 7th Baron Moleyns and 7th Baron Hastings. [her sister-in-law] Elizabeth Stanley Countess Huntingdon (age 16) by marriage Countess Huntingdon.
In 1607 [her son] Charles Stanhope was born to [her husband] Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 23) and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
In 1607 [her son] Edward Stanhope was born to [her husband] Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 23) and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. He died aged seven in 1614.
In 1608 [her son] William Stanhope was born to [her husband] Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 24) and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. He died aged six in 1614.
In 1610 [her son] George Stanhope was born to [her husband] Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 26) and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. He died aged six in 1616.
In 1614 [her son] William Stanhope (age 6) died.
In 1614 [her son] Edward Stanhope (age 7) died.
In 1616 [her son] George Stanhope (age 6) died.
In 1616 [her husband] Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 32) was created 1st Baron Stanhope of Shelford in Nottinghamshire.
In 1624 [her son] Michael Stanhope was born to [her husband] Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 40) and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
In 1627 [her son] Arthur Stanhope was born to [her husband] Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 43) and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield at Shelford, Nottinghamshire [Map]. He married in or before 1655 his fifth cousin Anne Salisbury, daughter of Henry Salusbury 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Vaughan.
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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Before 1628 Thomas Edmondes (age 64) and [her mother] Sarah Harrington (age 62) were married.
In 1628 [her son] Henry Stanhope and [her daughter-in-law] Katherine Wotton Countess Chesterfield (age 19) were married. He the son of [her husband] Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 44) and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
In 1628 [her husband] Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 44) was created 1st Earl Chesterfield. Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield by marriage Countess Chesterfield.
In 1629 [her mother] Sarah Harrington (age 64) died.
On 29th November 1634 [her son] Henry Stanhope died.
After 1636. St Peter's Church, Shelford [Map]. Monument to Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. Foliate surround to the inscription flanked by single vase pilasters with decorative capitals supporting the segmental pediment containing shield of arms. The apron has a decorative swag.
After 1636 [her husband] Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 52) and Anne Pakington Countess Chesterfield (age 37) were married. She by marriage Countess Chesterfield.
On 28th August 1636 Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield died.
Around 1638 Anthony Van Dyck (age 38). Portrait of Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield and Lucy Davies Countess Huntingdon (age 25).
On 12th September 1656 [her former husband] Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield (age 72) died. His grandson [her grandson] Philip (age 22) succeeded 2nd Earl Chesterfield, 2nd Baron Stanhope of Shelford in Nottinghamshire.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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[her son] Henry Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. He married 1628 Katherine Wotton Countess Chesterfield, daughter of Thomas Wotton 2nd Baron Wotton, and had issue.
[her son] John Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
[her son] Elizabeth Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
[her son] Thomas Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
[her son] Ferdinando Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. He married Lettice Ferrers and had issue.
[her son] Philip Stanhope was born to Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield.
[her daughter] Sarah Stanhope Lady Hoghton was born to Philip Stanhope 1st Earl Chesterfield and Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield. She married in or before 1644 Richard Hoghton 3rd Baronet, son of Gilbert Hoghton 2nd Baronet, and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings 
9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings Baron Botreaux, Hungerford and Moleyns 3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Hungerford 
7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Hungerford Baroness Hastings, 4th Baroness Hungerford, 5th Baroness Botreaux and 2nd Baroness Moleyns 4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Percy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandfather: Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 
2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Beaufort 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of
GrandFather: George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Pole 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Pole 8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Edith St John 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: George York 1st Duke of Clarence 
2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret York aka Pole Countess of Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Neville Duchess Clarence 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Neville 4th and 2nd Baron Abergavenny 2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Neville 5th and 3rd Baron Abergavenny 3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Fenne Baroness Bergavenny
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Neville Baroness Montagu 4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Fitzalan 10th or 17th Earl of Arundel 
3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Fitzalan Baroness Bergavenny 4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Woodville Countess Arundel 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Father: Francis Hastings 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Port
GrandMother: Dorothy Port Countess Huntingdon
Catherine Hastings Countess Chesterfield 8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Harrington 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Harrington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Culpepper 
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Harrington
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Alexander Harrington
GrandFather: James Harrington
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Moton of Peckleton in Leicestershire
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Moton
Mother: Sarah Harrington
Great x 3 Grandfather: William IV Sidney 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Nicholas Sidney
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Sidney
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Brandon 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Brandon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ada Calthorpe 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Brandon
GrandMother: Lucy Sidney
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Pakenham
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh Pakenham
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Pakenham