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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 1st January 1673 [his father] Thomas Gale [aged 38] and [his mother] Barbara Pepys were married.
On 17th December 1682 Samuel Gale was born to Thomas Gale [aged 47] and Barbara Pepys in the parish of St Faith's under St Paul's [Map].
In 1689 [his mother] Barbara Pepys died.
On 8th April 1702 [his father] Thomas Gale [aged 67] died.
In or before 1710 [his brother] Roger Gale [aged 36] and [his sister-in-law] Henrietta Roper were married.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 12th February 1718. Mr Samuel Gale [aged 35] Treasurer is authorized to pay Mr Vertue [aged 34] two guineas toward engraving the font of St James church. It is proposed for the second time to engrave RII'd's picture and agreed.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 7th May 1718. Bought by the Society the Portrait of Edwrd the Third for a Guinea which Mr Treasurer [aged 35] is ordered to pay.
Mr Bostue had the Drawing of Richard II delivered to him by Mr Director [aged 40] in order for engraving, for which he is to be paid Twenty Guineas. Mr Director [?] gives the use of the Drawing to the Society.
In order to defray the expenses, it is found necessary to raise a voluntary Subscription of Seven Shillings and Six Pence aa [?] of as many [?], for which they [?] the equivalent in prints of the same when finished.
Mr Vertue [aged 34] gives the Copper Plate, he is to be paid five Guineas down, five guineas when half finished, and the rest uponm delivery.
In the margin: Pictures of Henry VII and Eliza: his wife
Bought by the Society of Dr Stukeley [aged 30], Secretary, an old picture of Elizabeth wife of Harry VII for £12 0s 6d which Mr Tresurer is order to pay.
Bought by the Society an old picture of Henry VII for £1 0s 4d which Mr Treasurer is ordered to pay to Mr Norroy [aged 57].
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 12th June 1718. Mr Samuel Gale [aged 35] presented to the Society a print of the Ground Plot and Prospect of Hull by Holler, for which their thanks and ordered to be returned to him.
He likewise brought a letter from the Reverend Dr Knight a Member of the Society containing an account of a large skeleton found near Chippenham, Cambs, with massey [?] chains and fetters, dug up near him and some penates dug up at Devizes.
Mr President [aged 57] being obliged to be in the country for the summer season was pleased to propose for Vice-President during his absence, Mr George Holmes [aged 56] which was unamimously approved of by the Society.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 24th December 1718. Mr Vertue [aged 34] brought a proof of the Plate of Richard II which had the initial approbation of the Society and their thanks for his Care and Accuracy therein and Mr Treasurer [aged 36] was ordered to pay him five Guineas more in part of this Agreement for Engraving.
Mr Vice-President [aged 56] by the [?] of the Society ordered Mr Director [aged 41] to provide us a Box to lay up the Books in.
Mr Samuel Gale brough several Antique Roman Vessels dug up at Port Mahon, and likewise as Treasurer exhibited where it appears he has [?] in Money upon Amount £29:04:06 and has paid £22:4:4. So remains in his hands £07:00:02.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 7th January 1719. The Society Balloted for the Officers for this Year ensuing and the present President [aged 57], Secretary [aged 31], Director [aged 41], and Treasurer [aged 36] were unanimously Elected and declared.
The Question being proposed wheather or no, any member should have liberty to subscribe for prints in a larger than common proportion, it by way of ballot carryed in the Negative.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 14th January 1719. It was proposed by Mr President [aged 57] wheather every subscriber to the Plate of Richard II have each five prints, and by Ballot carried in the Affirmation, for their 7s:6d.
It was ordered that the Right Reverend Father in God the Bishop of Rochester & Dean of Westminster [aged 55], for giving leave to take the Drawing be presented with two of the said prints, and that Mr Director [aged 41] and Mr Treasurer [aged 36] be desired to wait upon him on that Amount.
Mr Director brought in a proof of an Etched Plate of a Roman Lamp, to be used as a Symbol or Ticket of the Society which he was pleased to make a present of to the Society for which their unanimous thanks were ordered to be given to him.
Minutes of the Society of Antiquaries. 11th March 1719. It was proposed that [?] noblemen and persons of quality as please to be members of the Society may be admitted by Ballot.
Ordered the same day a dividend of one print more of Ulphus's Horn to every member.
Resolved that Mr Vertue [aged 35] goe to Kensington Pallace to view the pictures of Holbein, copied there by Remy, the originals being burned in Whitehall.
Resolved that in Mr Samuel Gale's [aged 36] dissertation upon Ulphus's Horn be revised by Mr President [aged 58], [his brother] Mr Roger Gale [aged 46], Mr Mickleton and Mr Holmes [aged 57], or any three of them, and then printed.
NB. Ten members were present when the last resolution was made.
In 1739 William Stukeley [aged 51] and Elizabeth Gale [aged 51] were married. She the sister of his great friend Samuel Gale [aged 56]. She brought a substantial marriage portion to the marriage.
On 25th June 1744 [his brother] Roger Gale [aged 71] died. He was buried at St Radegund's Church, Scruton with the stipulation that he be buried in such a manner that no one would know exactly where he was buried.
On 10th January 1754 Samuel Gale [aged 71] died.
Father: Thomas Gale
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Pepys of Cottenham
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Pepys of Cottenham
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Pepys of Impington
Great x 1 Grandfather: Talbot Pepys
GrandFather: Roger Pepys
Mother: Barbara Pepys