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: Sandes aka Sandys
In 1543 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys of the Vyne was born to [his father] Henry Sandes [aged 23] and [his mother] Elizabeth Windsor.
In or before 1545 [his father] Henry Sandes [aged 24] and [his mother] Elizabeth Windsor were married. They were sixth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.
Around 1555 [his father] Henry Sandes [aged 35] died.
In 1560 [his grandfather] Thomas Sandys 2nd Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 63] died. In 1560 His grandson William [aged 17] succeeded 3rd Baron Sandys of The Vyne in Hampshire.
In or before 1565 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 21] and Katharine Brydges Baroness Sandys [aged 9] were married. She by marriage Baroness Sandys of The Vyne in Hampshire. They were fifth cousin once removed.
In 1569 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 26] was visited by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland [aged 35] at The Vyne, Sherbourne St John [Map].
Around 1570 [his daughter] Elizabeth Sandes was born to William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 27] and [his wife] Katharine Brydges Baroness Sandys [aged 15]. She married before 15th March 1608 Edwin Sandes and had issue.
In 1572 [his mother] Elizabeth Windsor died.
Before 28th November 1572 [his step-father] Ralph Scrope [aged 54] and [his mother] Elizabeth Windsor were married.
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.
After 1597 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 54] and Christian Annesley Baroness Sandys [aged 22] were married. She by marriage Baroness Sandys of The Vyne in Hampshire. The difference in their ages was 32 years.
Before 8th December 1597 [his wife] Katharine Brydges Baroness Sandys [aged 42] died.
In 1605 [his wife] Christian Annesley Baroness Sandys [aged 30] died.
After 1605 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 62] and Anne Baker Baroness Sanys were married. She by marriage Baroness Sandys of The Vyne in Hampshire. They were fourth cousins.
Before 15th March 1608 [his son-in-law] Edwin Sandes [aged 45] and [his daughter] Elizabeth Sandes [aged 38] were married.
On 29th September 1623 William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 80] died. His son William succeeded 4th Baron Sandys of The Vyne in Hampshire.
[his son] William Sandys 4th Baron Sandys of the Vyne was born to William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys of the Vyne and Christian Annesley Baroness Sandys. He married before 1629 Alathea Panton Baroness Sandys.
Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Sandes
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Sandes
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Warrener
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Sandes
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cheney
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Cheney
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Cheney
GrandFather: Thomas Sandys 2nd Baron Sandys of the Vyne
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margret Bray
Father: Henry Sandes 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Manners 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Manners
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes aka Anne Middleton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Manners 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Ogle
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Ogle 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Grey 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Manners 11th Baron Ros Helmsley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Ros 8th Baron Ros Helmsley 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Ros 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Tiptoft 1st Baron Tiptoft 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Philippa Tiptoft Baroness Ros of Helmsley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joyce Charleton Baroness Tiptoft 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandMother: Elizabeth Manners Baroness Sandys Vyne 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Arnold St Leger 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John St Leger 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas St Leger 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Donet
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Donet
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne St Leger Baroness Ros of Helmsley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge 
Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Mortimer 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne York Duchess Exeter 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 
Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
William Sandys 3rd Baron Sandys of the Vyne 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Windsor
Great x 1 Grandfather: Andrew Windsor 1st Baron Windsor
GrandFather: William Windsor 2nd Baron Windsor 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Blount 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Blount 1st Baron Mountjoy 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Gresley 
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Blount 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Byron 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Helena Byron Baroness Mountjoy
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Blount Baroness Windsor 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Echingham 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Echingham 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Knyvet 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Echingham 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Reginald West 6th Baron De La Warr 3rd Baron West 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret West 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Thorley Baroness De La Warr Baroness West
Mother: Elizabeth Windsor 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
GrandMother: Margaret Sambourne Baroness Windsor