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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In 1604 Colonel Thomas Blount was born to [his father] Edward Blount of Middle Temple in Wricklesmarsh, Charlton.
John Evelyn's Diary. 11th June 1652. After near two hours attempting, I got my hands to turn palm to palm, having been tied back to back, and then it was long before I could slip the cord over my wrists to my thumb, which at last I did, and then soon unbound my feet, and saddling my horse and roaming a while about, I at last perceived dust to rise, and soon after heard the rattling of a cart, toward which I made, and, by the help of two countrymen, I got back into the highway. I rode to Colonel Blount's [aged 48], a great justiciary of the times, who sent out hue and cry immediately. The next morning, sore as my wrists and arms were, I went to London, and got 500 tickets printed and dispersed by an officer of Goldsmiths' Hall, and within two days had tidings of all I had lost, except my sword, which had a silver hilt, and some trifles. The rogues had pawned one of my rings for a trifle to a goldsmith's servant, before the tickets came to the shop, by which means they escaped; the other ring was bought by a victualer, who brought it to a goldsmith, but he having seen the ticket seized the man. I afterward discharged him on his protestation of innocence. Thus did God deliver me from these villains, and not only so, but restored what they took, as twice before he had graciously done, both at sea and land, I mean when I had been robbed by pirates, and was in danger of a considerable loss at Amsterdam; for which, and many, many signal preservations, I am extremely obliged to give thanks to God my Savior.
In 1653 Colonel Thomas Blount [aged 49] was elected MP Kent in the Barebones Parliament.
John Evelyn's Diary. 26th September 1655. I went to see Colonel Blount's [aged 51] subterranean warren, and drank of the wine of his vineyard, which was good for little.
John Evelyn's Diary. 12th April 1656. Mr. Berkeley [aged 7] and Mr. Robert Boyle [aged 29] (that excellent person and great virtuoso), Dr. Taylor [aged 43], and Dr. Wilkins [aged 42], dined with me at Sayes Court [Map], when I presented Dr. Wilkins with my rare burning-glass. In the afternoon, we all went to Colonel Blount's [aged 52], to see his newly-invented plows.
John Evelyn's Diary. 6th August 1657. I went to see Colonel Blount [aged 53], who showed me the application of the waywiser to a coach, exactly measuring the miles, and showing them by an index as we went on. It had three circles, one pointing to the number of rods, another to the miles, by 10 to 1,000, with all the subdivisions of quarters; very pretty and useful.
John Evelyn's Diary. 30th September 1659. I went to visit Sir William Ducie and Colonel Blount [aged 55], where I met Sir Henry Blount [aged 57], the famous traveler and water drinker.
In February 1665 Colonel Thomas Blount [aged 61] was elected Fellow of the Royal Society. He resigned in 1668.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 1st May 1665. Thence to the Duke of Albemarle [aged 56], where I was sorry to find myself to come a little late, and so home, and at noon going to the 'Change [Map] I met my Lord Brunkard [aged 45], Sir Robert Murry [aged 57], Deane Wilkins [aged 51], and Mr. Hooke [aged 29], going by coach to Colonell Blunts [aged 61] to dinner. So they stopped and took me with them. Landed at the Tower-wharf, and thence by water to Greenwich, Kent [Map]; and there coaches met us; and to his house, a very stately sight for situation and brave plantations; and among others, a vineyard, the first that ever I did see. No extraordinary dinner, nor any other entertainment good; but only after dinner to the tryall of some experiments about making of coaches easy. And several we tried; but one did prove mighty easy (not here for me to describe, but the whole body of the coach lies upon one long spring), and we all, one after another, rid in it; and it is very fine and likely to take. These experiments were the intent of their coming, and pretty they are.
