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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Banbury, Oxfordshire, South-Central England, British Isles [Map]

Banbury, Oxfordshire is in Oxfordshire.

See: Adderbury, Banbury, Banbury Castle [Map], Banbury School, Oxfordshire, Chacombe Priory, Banbury [Map], Edgecote, Banbury.

On 7th April 1513 William Cope (age 63) died. He was buried at Banbury, Oxfordshire [Map].

In 1571 Anthony Cope 1st Baronet (age 23) was elected MP Banbury.

In 1586 Anthony Cope 1st Baronet (age 38) was elected MP Banbury.

In 1604 William Cope 2nd Baronet (age 27) was elected MP Banbury.

In 1614 William Cope 2nd Baronet (age 37) was elected MP Banbury.

In 1621 William Cope 2nd Baronet (age 44) was elected MP Banbury.

In 1625 William Cope 2nd Baronet (age 48) was elected MP Banbury.

In 1625 James Fiennes 2nd Viscount Saye and Sele (age 23) was elected MP Banbury.

In 1642 Henry Clifford (age 48) died at Banbury, Oxfordshire [Map].

Battle of Cropredy Bridge

On 29th June 1644 the Battle of Cropredy Bridge was fought near Banbury, Oxfordshire [Map].

Robert Howard (age 18) fought.

James Harington 3rd Baronet (age 36) led out a brigade of suburban Trained Bands, the Tower Hamlets Regiment and the Southwark White Auxiliaries and the Westminster Yellow Auxiliaries, to join William Waller (age 47) in the campaign that culminated at the Battle of Cropredy Bridge.

Deeds of King Henry V

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 1722 Monoux Cope 7th Baronet (age 26) was elected MP Banbury.

In 1746 John Willes (age 25) was elected MP Banbury which seat he held until 1754.

In 1792 Frederick North 5th Earl Guildford (age 25) was elected MP Banbury.

In 1830 Henry Villiers Stuart (age 26) was elected MP Banbury which seat he held until 1801.

Adderbury, Banbury, Oxfordshire, South-Central England, British Isles

On 1st February 1672 James Bertie 1st Earl of Abingdon (age 18) and Eleanor Lee Countess Abingdon were married at Adderbury, Banbury. She by marriage Baroness Norreys of Rycote. He the son of Montagu Bertie 2nd Earl Lindsey and Bridget Wray Countess Lindsey. They were fifth cousin once removed.

Banbury Castle, Oxfordshire, South-Central England, British Isles [Map]

Banbury Castle is also in Castles in Oxfordshire.

In 1644 William Compton (age 19) was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Banbury Castle.

On 20th July 1644 Peter Hausted (age 39) died at the Siege of Banbury Castle [Map].

Banbury School, Oxfordshire, South-Central England, British Isles

Around 1507 Thomas Pope was born at Deddington, Oxfordshire. He was educated at Banbury School, Oxfordshire and Eton College [Map]. He married (1) before 11th July 1536 Elizabeth Gunston (2) 17th July 1536 Margaret widow of Ralph Dodmer (3) after 1538 Elizabeth Blount.

Chacombe Priory, Banbury, Oxfordshire, South-Central England, British Isles [Map]

Chacombe Priory, Banbury is also in Priories in England.

Chacombe Priory, Banbury [Map] was an Augustinian Priory founded around 1170.

On 27th May 1864 Fiennes Cornwallis 1st Baron Cornwallis was born to Fiennes Wykeham-Martin Cornwallis (age 32) and Harriet Elizabeth Mott at Chacombe Priory, Banbury [Map]. He married 1886 Mabel Leigh Baroness Cornwallis and had issue.

Edgecote, Banbury, Oxfordshire, South-Central England, British Isles