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: Talbot
Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Wychingham 1410-1451
On 28th April 1539 [his father] George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 11) and [his mother] Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 14) were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland (age 47) and [his grandmother] Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland (age 44). He the son of [his grandfather] Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 39) and [his grandmother] Mary Dacre. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On or before 25th February 1561, the date he was baptised, Edward Talbot 8th Earl of Shrewsbury was born to [his father] George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 33) and [his mother] Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 36) at Sheffield [Map].
On 31st August 1565 George Vernon "King of the Peak" (age 57) died. He was buried at All Saint's Church, Bakewell, Derbyshire [Map]. By his will of 18th August 1565 he bequeathed six Derbyshire manors and two in Staffordshire to his wife for life. His executors were to take the profits of his manor of Kibblestone, in Staffordshire, and two Cheshire manors for 16 years after his decease to pay his debts, funeral expenses and the fulfilment of his will, which included among numerous bequests the provision of one gold chain worth £20 to his godson, [his brother] Gilbert Talbot (age 12), the future 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, 'as a remembrance of my good will towards him'. His wife, his son-in-law [his uncle] John Manners (age 38), his brother-in-law Nicholas Longford (age 33) and his 'loving neighbours and faithful friends Thomas Sutton and Richard Wennesley were each to receive £20 for their services as executors, while his 'right worshipful friends' (Sir) John Zouche II and Francis Leke (age 55) were each to have a horse.
Monument with both his wives Margaret Tailboys and Maud aka Magdelan Longford each wearing a French Hood. Man with Two Wives.
On the left the arms of his second wife Margaret Tailboys, middle the arms of George Vernon "King of the Peak" and right the arms of his first wife Maud aka Magdelan Longford.
Before 16th January 1567 [his mother] Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 42) died. On 16th January 1567 she was buried in Sheffield Cathedral [Map].
On 6th February 1568 [his brother] Gilbert Talbot 7th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 15) and [his sister-in-law] Mary Cavendish Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 12) were married. She the daughter of William Cavendish and [his step-mother] Bess of Hardwick Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 41). He the son of [his father] George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 40) and [his mother] Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. They were sixth cousins.
Three days later on Gilbert and Mary would become step-siblings when their father and mother respectively George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury and Bess of Hardwick were married. She by marriage Countess of Shrewsbury Countess Waterford. It is likely the latter marriage a condition of the former. He the son of [his grandfather] Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury and [his grandmother] Mary Dacre. They were fifth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.
On 9th February 1568 Henry Cavendish (age 17) and [his sister] Grace Talbot (age 18) were married. The marriage, unhappy, produced no issue. She being the daughter of his step-father [his father] George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 40). She the daughter of George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury and [his mother] Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. He the son of William Cavendish and [his step-mother] Bess of Hardwick Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 41). They were sixth cousins.
On 17th March 1570 William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke (age 69) died at Hampton Court Palace, Richmond [Map]. His son [his brother-in-law] Henry (age 32) succeeded 2nd Earl Pembroke. [his sister] Catherine Talbot Countess Pembroke (age 20) by marriage Countess Pembroke.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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In 1572 [his father] George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 44) was appointed Earl Marshal.
On 12th May 1576 [his sister] Catherine Talbot Countess Pembroke (age 26) died.
In 1579 Edward Talbot 8th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 17) educated at Magdalen College, Oxford University.
In 1583 Edward Talbot 8th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 21) and Joane Ogle Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 17) were married. She by marriage Countess of Shrewsbury Countess Waterford. He the son of George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 55) and Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. They were fourth cousin once removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward IV of England.
1586. Hieronimo Custodis. Portrait of Edward Talbot 8th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 24).
On 18th November 1590 [his father] George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 62) died. He was buried at Sheffield Cathedral [Map]. His son [his brother] Gilbert (age 37) succeeded 7th Earl of Shrewsbury, 7th Earl Waterford, 12th Baron Furnivall, 16th Baron Strange Blackmere, 13th Baron Talbot. [his sister-in-law] Mary Cavendish Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 34) by marriage Countess of Shrewsbury Countess Waterford.
In 1592 [his brother] Gilbert Talbot 7th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 39) was appointed 376th Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 58).
On 20th November 1597 [his father-in-law] Cuthbert Ogle 7th Baron Ogle (age 57) died at Cockle Park, Northumberland [Map]. Baron Ogle abeyant between his two daughters [his wife] Joane Ogle Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 31) and [his sister-in-law] Catherine Ogle 8th Baroness Ogle (age 27).
In 1601 Edward Talbot 8th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 39) was appointed High Sheriff of Northumberland.
In 1609 Edward Talbot 8th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 47) was appointed High Sheriff of Northumberland.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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On 8th May 1616 [his brother] Gilbert Talbot 7th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 63) died. His daughter [his niece] Alethea (age 31) succeeded 13th Baroness Furnivall, 17th Baroness Strange Blackmere, 14th Baroness Talbot. His brother Edward (age 55) succeeded 8th Earl of Shrewsbury, 8th Earl Waterford.
On 8th February 1617 Edward Talbot 8th Earl of Shrewsbury (age 55) died. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His fourth cousin George (age 50) succeeded 9th Earl of Shrewsbury, 9th Earl Waterford.
Around 4th January 1626 [his former wife] Joane Ogle Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford (age 60) died. Her sister [his former sister-in-law] Catherine (age 56) abeyance terminated 8th Baroness Ogle.
Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 12 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 15 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John "Old Talbot" Talbot 1st Earl of Shrewsbury 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Talbot 2nd Earl of Shrewsbury 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Neville 6th Baroness Furnivall 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James "White Earl" Butler 4th Earl Ormonde 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Butler Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beauchamp Countess Ormonde 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford 
Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Stafford Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 
Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Francis Talbot 5th Earl of Shrewsbury 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Hastings 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Leonard Hastings
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Sutton 
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Camoys 1st Baron Camoys 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Camoys 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Louches Baroness Camoys
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Hastings Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Holland 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Father: George Talbot 6th Earl of Shrewsbury 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Dacre 5th Baron Dacre Gilsland, Baron Multon of Gilsand 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Dacre 6th Baron Dacre Gilsland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Douglas Baroness Dacre Gilsland 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Humphrey Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Philippa Neville Baroness Dacre of Gilsland 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Stafford Baroness Neville Raby 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Parr 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Parr 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Crophull 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mabel Parr Baroness Dacre of Gilsland 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Tunstall
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Tunstall
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Harrington 
GrandMother: Mary Dacre 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Greystoke 4th Baron Greystoke 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Greystoke 5th Baron Greystoke 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ferrers Baroness Greystoke 
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Greystoke 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Fitzhugh 4th Baron Fitzhugh 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzhugh Baroness Greystoke 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Willoughby Baroness Fitzhugh 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Greystoke 6th Baroness Greystoke Baroness Dacre of Gilsland 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Grey 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Grey 1st Earl Kent 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Holland Countess Norfolk and Nottingham Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Percy 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Neville Countess Northumberland Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Edward Talbot 8th Earl of Shrewsbury 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Manners 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Manners
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes aka Anne Middleton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Manners 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Ogle
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Ogle 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Grey 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Manners 11th Baron Ros Helmsley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Ros 8th Baron Ros Helmsley 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Ros 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Tiptoft 1st Baron Tiptoft 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Philippa Tiptoft Baroness Ros of Helmsley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joyce Charleton Baroness Tiptoft 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Arnold St Leger 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John St Leger 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas St Leger 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Donet
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Donet
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne St Leger Baroness Ros of Helmsley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge 
Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Mortimer 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne York Duchess Exeter 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Mother: Gertrude Manners Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Paston 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Paston
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Barry
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Paston
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Mautby
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Mautby
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Paston
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Brewes
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margery Brewes
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Debenham
GrandMother: Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Heydon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Bridget Heydon 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Boleyn 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Geoffrey Boleyn
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Bracton
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Boleyn 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Hoo 1st Baron Hoo and Hastings 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Ann Hoo 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Wychingham 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England