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: Cornwallis
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Carlton 1625-1715
On 6th June 1699 [his father] Charles Cornwallis 4th Baron Cornwallis [aged 24] and [his mother] Charlotte Butler Baroness Cornwallis [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Baroness Cornwallis. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Richard Butler 1st Earl Arran and [his grandmother] Dorothy Ferrers Countess Arran [aged 44].
On 29th March 1700 Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis was born to Charles Cornwallis 4th Baron Cornwallis [aged 25] and Charlotte Butler Baroness Cornwallis [aged 21].
On 20th January 1722 [his father] Charles Cornwallis 4th Baron Cornwallis [aged 47] died. His son Charles [aged 21] succeeded 5th Baron Cornwallis.
On 28th November 1722 Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis [aged 22] and Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis were married.
On 8th August 1725 [his mother] Charlotte Butler Baroness Cornwallis [aged 46] died.
On 6th June 1736 [his daughter] Mary Cornwallis was born to Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis [aged 36] and [his wife] Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis. She married 13th August 1769 Samuel Whitbread and had issue.
On 31st December 1738 [his son] Charles Cornwallis 1st Marquess Cornwallis was born to Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis [aged 38] and [his wife] Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis at Grosvenor Square, Belgravia. He married 14th July 1768 Jemima Tullekin Jones Countess Cornwallis and had issue.
On 10th September 1740 [his son] Henry Cornwallis was born to Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis [aged 40] and [his wife] Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis.
On 25th February 1743 [his son] James Cornwallis 4th Earl Cornwallis was born to Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis [aged 42] and [his wife] Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis. He married 30th April 1771 Catherine Mann and had issue.
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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In 1744 [his son] William Cornwallis was born to Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis [aged 43] and [his wife] Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis.
In 1753 Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis [aged 52] was created 1st Earl Cornwallis. [his wife] Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis by marriage Countess Cornwallis.
In July 1753 [his son-in-law] Bowen Southwell [aged 40] and Elizabeth Cornwallis were married. She the daughter of Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis [aged 53] and Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis.
On 8th April 1756 [his son-in-law] Bishop Spencer Madan [aged 27] and Charlotte Cornwallis were married. She the daughter of Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis [aged 56] and Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis.
In 1761 [his son] Henry Cornwallis [aged 20] died.
On 23rd June 1762 Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis [aged 62] died. His son Charles [aged 23] succeeded 2nd Earl Cornwallis, 6th Baron Cornwallis.
On 1st December 1785 [his former wife] Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis died.
Before 23rd August 1792 Joshua Reynolds [aged 69]. Portrait of Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis.
[his daughter] Charlotte Cornwallis was born to Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis and Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis. She married 8th April 1756 Bishop Spencer Madan and had issue.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Cornwallis was born to Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis and Elizabeth Townshend Countess Cornwallis. She married July 1753 Bowen Southwell, son of Thomas Southwell 1st Baron Southwell and Meliora Coningsby.
Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King William I of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Philip III of France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 24 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 17 Grand Son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cornwallis
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cornwallis 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Jerningham 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Frederick Cornwallis 1st Baron Cornwallis 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hercules Meautys
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Meautys 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Cooke 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Cornwallis 2nd Baron Cornwallis 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Ashburnham
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Ashburnham
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ashburnham 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Beaumont 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Beaumont 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Farnham
GrandFather: Charles Cornwallis 3rd Baron Cornwallis 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Playstead
Father: Charles Cornwallis 4th Baron Cornwallis 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Fox of Farley Wiltshire 
Great x 1 Grandfather: Stephen Fox
Great x 2 Grandmother: Christian Palfreyman
GrandMother: Elizabeth Fox Baroness Cornwallis
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Whittle of the City of London
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Whittle
Charles Cornwallis 1st Earl Cornwallis 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Butler 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Butler 11th Earl Ormonde 4th Earl Ossory 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Burke 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Butler Viscount Thurles 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Butler 2nd Viscount Mountgarret 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Helen Butler Countess Ormonde and Ossory 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Grizzel Fitzpatrick Viscountess Mountgarret
Great x 1 Grandfather: James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Poyntz of Iron Acton 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Poyntz 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Verney 
12 x Great Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Poyntz 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Syndeham 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Sydenham 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
GrandFather: Richard Butler 1st Earl Arran 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Preston of Whitehill in Midlothian 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Preston 1st Earl Desmond
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Butler 9th Earl Ormonde 2nd Earl Ossory 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas "Black Tom" Butler 10th Earl Ormonde 3rd Earl Ossory 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Fitzgerald Countess Ormonde and Ossory 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Butler 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Sheffield 2nd Baron Sheffield 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Sheffield Countess Ormonde and Ossory 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Douglas Howard Baroness Sheffield 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Mother: Charlotte Butler Baroness Cornwallis 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Ferrers 
11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Ferrers of Tamworth Castle 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Bradbourne 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Humphrey Ferrers 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Ferrers 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Pakington of Hampton Lovett 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John "Lusty" Pakington
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Pakington Countess Chesterfield
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ambrose Smith of Withcote in Leicestershire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Smith
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Coe
GrandMother: Dorothy Ferrers Countess Arran 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Carleton 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Carlton 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Dudley Carlton 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Carlton 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England