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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Before 1415 Margery Jourdemayne "The Witch of Eye" was born.
Before 27th October 1441 Eleanor Cobham Duchess of Gloucester [aged 41], wife of the heir presumptive Humphrey 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 51], brother of the deceased King Henry V of England, uncle of King Henry VI of England and II of France [aged 19], was tried for predicting the future of the King; in reality a veiled attack on her husband who had over-reached himself. She had consulted two astrologers Thomas Southwell and Roger Bolingbroke. All three were arrested, tried and found guilty. Eleanor denied most of the charges but confessd to obtaining potions from Margery Jourdemayne "The Witch of Eye" [aged 26]. She was sentenced to do public penance, divorce her husband and remain confined for the remainder of her life.
On 27th October 1441 Margery Jourdemayne "The Witch of Eye" [aged 26] was burned at the stake at Smithfield [Map].
Chronicle of Gregory. 27th October 1441. And on Syn Symon and Jude is eve was the wycche [aged 26] be syde Westemyster brent in Smethefylde [Map], and on the day of Symon and Jude [28th October 1441] the person [parson] of Syn Stevynnys in Walbroke, whyche that was one of the same fore said traytours [Thomas Southwell], deyde in the Toure [Map] for sorowe.
Chronicle of William of Worcester. Another magical woman, commonly called Witch of Eye [Margery Jourdemayne "The Witch of Eye" [aged 26]], was captured near the town of Westminster on account of the aforementioned Eleanor and was burned at Smithfield [27th October 1441].
Alia mulier magica, vocata vulgariter Wyche of Eye, juxta villam Westmonasterii capta est pro prædicta Elianora, et apud Smythfeld cremata.
An English Chronicle. [27th October 1441]. And this same tyme was take a womman callid the wicche of Eye [Margery Jourdemayne "The Witch of Eye" [aged 26]], whooȝ sorcerie and wicchecraft the said dame Alienore [aged 41] hadde longe tyme vsid; and be suche medicineȝ and drynkis as the said wicche made, the said Alienore enforced the forsaid duke of Gloucestre to loue her and to wedde her. Wherfore, and also for cause of relaps, the same wicche was brend in Smythfeld, in the vigily of Saint Simon and Jude.