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: Morice
In or before 1628 [his father] William Morice (age 25) and [his mother] Elizabeth Prideaux were married.
In 1628 William Morice 1st Baronet was born to [his father] William Morice (age 25) and [his mother] Elizabeth Prideaux at Churston Ferrers, Devon.
On 21st May 1647 William Morice 1st Baronet (age 19) matriculated Exeter College, Oxford University.
In or before 1660 William Morice 1st Baronet (age 31) and Gertrude Bampfylde Lady Morice were married.
In or before 1660 [his son] William Morice was born to William Morice 1st Baronet (age 31) and [his wife] Gertrude Bampfylde Lady Morice. He married 1687 Anne Lower.
On 20th April 1661 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 30) created a number of new Baronets and Peers:
William Morice 1st Baronet (age 33) was created 1st Baronet Morice of Werrington in Devon. [his wife] Gertrude Bampfylde Lady Morice by marriage Lady Morice of Werrington in Devon.
John Crew 1st Baron Crew (age 63) was created 1st Baron Crew of Stene in Northamptonshire. Jemima Waldegrave Baroness Crew (age 59) by marriage Baroness Crew of Stene in Northamptonshire.
Edward Hyde 1st Earl Clarendon (age 52) was created 1st Earl Clarendon at Westminster Abbey [Map] on the occasion of the Coronation Charles II. Frances Aylesbury Countess Clarendon (age 43) by marriage Countess Clarendon.
Oliver Fitzwilliam 1st Earl Tyrconnel (age 51) was created 1st Earl Tyrconnel. Eleanore Holles Countess Tyrconnel by marriage Countess Tyrconnel.
John Evelyn's Diary. 10th September 1663. I dined with Mr. Treasurer of the Navy (age 53), where, sitting by Mr. Secretary Morice (age 35), we had much discourse about books and authors, he being a learned man, and had a good collection.
John Evelyn's Diary. 9th July 1665. I went to Hampton-Court [Map], where now the whole Court was, to solicit for money; to carry intercepted letters; confer again with Sir William Coventry (age 37), the Duke's secretary; and so home, having dined with Mr. Secretary Morice (age 37).
In or before 1671 [his daughter] Gertrude Morice Lady Yonge was born to William Morice 1st Baronet (age 42) and [his wife] Gertrude Bampfylde Lady Morice. She married 1677 Walter Yonge 3rd Baronet, son of Walter Yonge 2nd Baronet. She died aged eight point zero zero zero zero one nine nine nine nine nine nine nine nine two in 1679.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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In or before 1671 [his daughter] Mary Morice Lady Carew was born to William Morice 1st Baronet (age 42) and [his wife] Gertrude Bampfylde Lady Morice. She married 5th July 1681 John Carew 3rd Baronet, son of Alexander Carew 2nd Baronet and Jane Rolle Lady Carew, and had issue.
In 1676 William Morice 1st Baronet (age 48) and Elizabeth Reynell Lady Morice were married. She by marriage Lady Morice of Werrington in Devon.
On 12th December 1676 [his father] William Morice (age 74) died.
In 1677 [his son-in-law] Walter Yonge 3rd Baronet (age 24) and [his daughter] Gertrude Morice Lady Yonge (age 6) were married. She by marriage Lady Yonge of Colyton in Devon.
In 1679 [his daughter] Gertrude Morice Lady Yonge (age 8) died.
In 1681 [his son] Nicholas Morice 2nd Baronet was born to William Morice 1st Baronet (age 53) and [his wife] Elizabeth Reynell Lady Morice. He married on or after 21st March 1704 Catherine Herbert Lady Morice, daughter of Thomas Herbert 8th Earl Pembroke 5th Earl Montgomery and Margaret Sawyer Countess Pembroke and Montgomery, and had issue.
On 5th July 1681 [his son-in-law] John Carew 3rd Baronet (age 45) and [his daughter] Mary Morice Lady Carew (age 10) were married. She by marriage Lady Carew of Antony in Cornwall. The difference in their ages was 35 years.
On or before 3rd April 1684 [his wife] Elizabeth Reynell Lady Morice died. She was buried on 3rd April 1684 at Werrington, Devon.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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In 1687 [his son] William Morice (age 27) and [his daughter-in-law] Anne Lower were married.
On or before 24th June 1688, the date he was buried at Werrington, Devon, [his son] William Morice (age 28) died.
On or before 7th February 1690 William Morice 1st Baronet (age 62) died. He was buried at Werrington, Devon on 7th February 1690. His son Nicholas (age 9) succeeded 2nd Baronet Morice of Werrington in Devon.
Father: William Morice
GrandFather: Humphrey Prideaux of Souldon in Holsworthy, Devon
Mother: Elizabeth Prideaux