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: Salusbury
In 1637 John Salusbury 4th Baronet was born to [his father] Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet (age 24) and [his mother] Hester Tyrrell Lady Salusbury.
On 23rd October 1642 the Battle of Edge Hill was fought at Edge Hill [Map]. The Royal army was commanded by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 41) (with his son King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 12) present), Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland (age 22) and Richard Spencer (age 49) commanded the army that included Maurice Palatinate Simmern (age 21), Richard Byron 2nd Baron Byron (age 36), Lucius Carey 2nd Viscount Falkland (age 32), Charles Cavendish (age 22), Henry Newton aka Puckering 3rd Baronet (age 24), Spencer Compton 2nd Earl of Northampton (age 41), [his father] Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet (age 30), John Byron 1st Baron Byron (age 43) and William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh (age 55).
George Stewart 9th Seigneur D'Aubigny (age 24) was killed.
Of the Parliamentary army Basil Feilding 2nd Earl Denbigh (age 34) and Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex (age 51). Oliver St John 5th Baron St John (age 39) was wounded.
Samuel Sandes (age 27) commanded a troop of horse.
Richard Sandes (age 26) was killed.
Thomas Strickland (age 20) was knighted on the field for his gallantry.
Henry Hunloke 1st Baronet (age 24) was knighted by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.
William Dugdale (age 37) witnessed the battle and subsequently surveyed the battlefield.
John Hinton (age 38) was present.
Edward Verney (age 52) was killed.
John Assheton (age 29) was killed.
Robert Bertie 1st Earl Lindsey (age 59) was killed. His son Montagu (age 34) succeeded 2nd Earl Lindsey, 15th Baron Willoughby de Eresby.
William Pennyman 1st Baronet (age 35) commanded a regiment, of which he served as Colonel, which he led for the King.
Edward Stradling 2nd Baronet (age 42) fought for the King, was captured imprisoned for seven months, and died a month after his release.
In 1643 [his father] Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet (age 30) died. He was buried at Whitchurch, Shropshire. His son [his brother] Thomas succeeded 3rd Baronet Salusbury of Lleweni in Denbighshire.
Before 2nd July 1656 [his mother] Hester Tyrrell Lady Salusbury died.
In 1660 John Salusbury 4th Baronet (age 23) was elected MP Denbigh Boroughs.
In 1660 [his brother] Thomas Salusbury 3rd Baronet died. His brother John (age 23) succeeded 4th Baronet Salusbury of Lleweni in Denbighshire.
In 1679 John Salusbury 4th Baronet (age 42) was elected MP Denbighshire.
In 1681 John Salusbury 4th Baronet (age 44) was elected MP Denbighshire.
On 23rd May 1684 John Salusbury 4th Baronet (age 47) died. Baronet Salusbury of Lleweni in Denbighshire extinct. His sister [his sister] Hester Salusbury (age 47) and her husband Robert Cotton 1st Baronet (age 49) inherited his estates.
[his father] Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet and [his mother] Hester Tyrrell Lady Salusbury were married.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 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 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 15 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Salusbury 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Salusbury
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Salusbury
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Salusbury 2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Tudor ap Robert Vychan
Great x 2 Grandmother: Katheryn of Berain Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roland de Velville 
Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Velville Grand Daughter of
GrandFather: Henry Salusbury 1st Baronet 3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley 2nd Earl of Derby 
4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Hastings Countess Derby 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Stanley 4th Earl of Derby 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk 
5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Howard Countess Derby 6 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk 
Great x 1 Grandmother: Ursula Stanley 7 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Halsall
Father: Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: David Myddelton
Great x 3 Grandfather: Fulke Myddelton of Llansannan
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Myddelton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Myddelton of Chirk
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh Dryhurst of Denbigh
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Dryhurst
GrandMother: Hester Myddelton
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Olmstead of Ingatestone in Essex
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Olmstead
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane aka Elizabeth Danvers
John Salusbury 4th Baronet 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Tyrrell 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Tyrrell
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bradbury
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Tyrrell of Thornton in Buckinghamshire
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Ingleton
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Ingleton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Tyrrell 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 
6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Dudley 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Montagu 8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Roper of Well Hall 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Helen Roper
GrandFather: Edward Tyrrell 1st Baronet 10 x Great Grand Son of
Mother: Hester Tyrrell Lady Salusbury 11 x Great Grand Daughter of