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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On 18th December 1276 William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth was born to [his father] Eudo Zouche and [his mother] Millicent Cantilupe at Harringworth, Northamptonshire.
On 25th June 1279 [his father] Eudo Zouche died at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
In August 1297 [his son] Eudo Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and [his future wife] Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth.
In 1299 [his mother] Millicent Cantilupe died.
Around 1300 [his daughter] Joan Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and [his future wife] Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth at Harringworth, Northamptonshire.
Around 1301 [his son] John Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and [his future wife] Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth at Harringworth, Northamptonshire.
Around 1303 [his son] Roger Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and [his future wife] Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth at Harringworth, Northamptonshire.
Around 1305 [his son] Thomas Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and [his future wife] Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth at Harringworth, Northamptonshire.
In 1308 William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth was created 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth.
Around 1309 [his son] Edmund Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and [his future wife] Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth at Harringworth, Northamptonshire.
Around 1315 [his daughter] Thomasina Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and [his future wife] Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire.
Around 1315 [his daughter] Isabel Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and [his future wife] Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth at Seaborough, Somerset.
Close Rolls Edward II 1325. 8th December 1325. The Tower. William la Zouche of Haryngworth, knight, acknowledges that he owes to William la Zouche, his son, £4,000; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in co. Wilts.
The said William la Zouche acknowledges that he owes to the aforesaid William, his son, £2,000; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in co. Devon.
Cancelled on payment, acknowledged by Gilbert de Gretton, clerk, attorney of William son of William.
Close Rolls Edward II 1325. 11th December 1325. The Tower. The said William la Zouche acknowledges that he owes to John la Zouche, his son, £4,000; to be levied, in default of payment, of his lands and chattels in co. Cornwall.
Cancelled on payment.
Before 26th March 1326 [his son-in-law] William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt and [his daughter] Millicent Zouche Baroness Deincourt were married.
On 26th March 1326 [his son] Edmund Zouche died.
On 26th March 1326 [his son] Thomas Zouche died.
On 26th March 1326 [his son] Roger Zouche died.
On 26th March 1326 [his son] John Zouche died.
On 12th April 1326 [his son] Eudo Zouche died at Paris.
Before 1333 William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth were married. She by marriage Baroness Zouche Harringworth.
Around 1337 [his daughter] Joan Zouche died at Peckleton, Leicestershire.
Before 1344 [his son-in-law] Oliver Ightham and [his daughter] Elizabeth Zouche were married.
Around 1344 [his daughter] Thomasina Zouche died at Kirkby Mallory, Leicestershire.
In 1346 [his wife] Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth died.
On 31st January 1350 [his daughter] Isabel Zouche died at Wincanton, Somerset.
On 11th October 1350 [his daughter] Elizabeth Zouche died.
On 11th March 1352 William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth died at Harringworth, Northamptonshire. He was buried at Biddlesden Abbey, Buckinghamshire. [his grandson] William Zouche 2nd Baron Zouche Harringworth succeeded 2nd Baron Zouche Harringworth. [his granddaughter-in-law] Elizabeth Ros Baroness Zouche Harringworth by marriage Baroness Zouche Harringworth.
[his son] Archbishop William Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth.
[his father] Eudo Zouche and [his mother] Millicent Cantilupe were married.
[his daughter] Millicent Zouche Baroness Deincourt was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth at Harringworth, Northamptonshire. She married before 26th March 1326 William Deincourt 2nd Baron Deincourt and had issue.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Zouche was born to William Zouche 1st Baron Zouche Harringworth and Maud Lovell Baroness Zouche Harringworth She married before 1344 Oliver Ightham and had issue.