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: Basset
Maternal Family Tree: Joan Brereton 1454-1517
On 18th August 1551 William Bassett was born to [his father] William Bassett (age 32) and [his mother] Elizabeth Fitzherbert (age 36) at Blore, Staffordshire.
After 1562 [his mother] Elizabeth Fitzherbert (deceased) died at Blore Hall, Staffordshire.
Around 1566 William Bassett (age 14) educated at St John's College, Oxford University.
In 1586 William Bassett (age 34) was elected MP Staffordshire.
Around 1592 [his daughter] Elizabeth Bassett Countess Newcastle upon Tyne was born to William Bassett (age 40) at Blore, Staffordshire. She married (1) before 1616 Henry Howard, son of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk, and had issue (2) 1618 William Cavendish 1st Duke Newcastle upon Tyne, son of Charles Cavendish and Catherine Ogle 8th Baroness Ogle, and had issue.
Before 1593 William Bassett (age 41) was appointed High Sheriff of Derbyshire.
In 1593 Thomas Fitzherbert (age 43) arrested by his cousin William Bassett (age 41).
On 9th December 1601 William Bassett (age 50) died at Blore Hall, Staffordshire. He was buried in St Bartholomew's Church, Blore [Map]. His two year old daughter [his daughter] Elizabeth Bassett (age 9) inherited his wealth; she married, firstly, [his future son-in-law] Henry Howard (age 9) and, secondly, [his future son-in-law] William Cavendish (age 9), subsequently Earl of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and after her death, Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The Bassett Tomb at St Bartholomew's Church, Blore [Map]. William Bassett (centre), his wife Judith Corbet (his left), Henry Howard (his right) and kneeling [his granddaughter] Catharine aka Elizabeth Howard and Elizabeth Bassett Countess Newcastle upon Tyne. Sculpted by Jasper Hollemans. Elizabethan Period.
Henry Howard: In 1592 he was born to Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk in Henley In Arden, Warwickshire. Before 1616 Henry Howard and Elizabeth Bassett Countess Newcastle upon Tyne were married. He the son of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk. Around 1616 Henry Howard died 'at his country house' [Blore Hall, Staffordshire?] at breakfast 'suddenly at the table without speaking one word'. He was buried at St Bartholomew's Church, Blore [Map].
[his father] William Bassett and [his mother] Elizabeth Fitzherbert were married.
Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 11 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 12 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 16 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Bassett 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bassett 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Bassett 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Bassett 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandFather: William Bassett 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Sampson Meverell
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Meverell
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Leche
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Meverell 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Montgomery 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Montgomery 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Meverell 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Eyre of Padley 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Eyre of Padley
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jane Eyre
Father: William Bassett 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
William Bassett 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Fitzherbert
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Fitzherbert 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Longford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Nicholas Fitzherbert 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Downes
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ralph Fitzherbert 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Booth of Barton in Lancashire 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Booth of Harleston in Derbyshire
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joanna Trafford
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Booth
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Fynderne
GrandFather: Anthony Fitzherbert of Hamstall Ridware 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Marshall
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Marshall
Mother: Elizabeth Fitzherbert 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Cotton of Ridware
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Cotton
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Pole 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Pole
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Pole
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grosvenor 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Grosvenor
GrandMother: Maud aka Matilda Cotton
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Brereton
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Brereton
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Brereton 10th Lord Brereton
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Brereton