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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Corfe Castle, Dorset is in Corfe, Dorset [Map], Castles in Dorset.
On 18th March 978 King Edward I of England (age 16) was murdered at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map] when visiting his younger half-brother Æthelred (age 12) and his [Æthelred's] mother Aelfthryth (age 33). He was buried in Wareham, Dorset [Map] without ceremony. His half brother Æthelred succeeded II King of England.
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 978. This year was King Edward (age 16) slain, at eventide, at Corfe-gate [Map], on the fifteenth day before the calends of April. And he was buried at Wareham, Dorset [Map] without any royal honour. No worse deed than this was ever done by the English nation since they first sought the land of Britain. Men murdered him but God has magnified him. He was in life an earthly king-he is now after death a heavenly saint. Him would not his earthly relatives avenge-but his heavenly father has avenged him amply. The earthly homicides would wipe out his memory from the earth-but the avenger above has spread his memory abroad in heaven and in earth. Those, Who would not before bow to his living body, now bow on their knees to His dead bones. Now we may conclude, that the wisdom of men, and their meditations, and their counsels, are as nought against the appointment of God. In this same year succeeded Ethelred Etheling (age 12), his brother, to the government; and he was afterwards very readily, and with great joy to the counsellors of England, consecrated king at Kingston [Map]. In the same year also died Alfwold, who was Bishop of Dorsetshire, and whose body lieth in the minster at Sherborn [Map].
Chronicon ex Chronicis by Florence and John of Worcester. 18th March 978. Edward, king of England (age 16), was foully murdered at Corvesireate [Map], at the instigations of his step-mother, queen Elfthritha (age 33), and was buried at Wareham [Map] without royal pomp.
In 1197 Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr Prince Deheubarth was imprisoned at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map].
Annals of Margam. 1st August 1202. King John (age 35) took his nephew Arthur (age 15) in chains at the castle of Mirabel on the feast of Saint Peter, and with Geoffrey de Lusignan1, Hugo the Brown2 and Andream de Chavenny, and Hugh III, viscount of Chastelleraud3, and Reymundnm de Troarde, and Savaricum de Maulyon, and Hugonem de Banchai, and all his other enemies of Poitou, who were around 200 soldiers and more. Of which 22 he killed the noblest and bravest men in arms by starvation in the castle of Corfe [Map]; so that not one of them escaped.
Rex Johannes apud castrum Mirabel cepit Arthurum nepotem suum in festum Sancti Petri ad vincula, et cum eo Galfridum de Lizanan1 et Hugonem de Brun2, et Andream de Chavenny, et vice-comitem de castro Haraldi3, et Reymundnm de Troarde, et Savaricum de Maulyon, et Hugonem de Banchai, et omnes alios inimicos suos Pictaviæ, qui ibi erant circiter cc. milites et plures. Ex quibus xxii. nobilissimos et strenuissimos in armis fame interfecit in castello de Corf [Map]; ita quod nec unus ex illis evasit.
Note 1. Geoffrey de Lusignan (age 52).
Note 2. Hugh de Lusignan (age 19), surnamed le Brun, count de la Marche.
Note 3. Hugh III, viscount of Chastelleraud.
In 1206 Eleanor Fair Maid of Brittany (age 22) was imprisoned at Brough Castle [Map], under the guard of Robert de Vipont Baron of Westmoreland, then at Bowes Castle, County Durham [Map], then Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map]. At Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map] she was accompanied by twenty-five French knights loyal to her. Following an attempt to escape twenty-two of the knights were starved to death.
In 1209 Margaret Dunkeld Countess Kent (age 16) was imprisoned at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map].
1209. Chronicles mention of Chapel of St John the Evangelist, Bolton [Map] [Boyeltun] as the meeting place of King John of England (age 42) and King William I of Scotland (age 66). King William I of Scotland sent his two daughters Margaret Dunkeld Countess Kent (age 16) and Isabella Dunkeld Countess Norfolk (age 14) as hostages to keep the peace. They, Margaret and Isabella, were imprisoned with Eleanor Fair Maid of Brittany (age 25) at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map].
In 1210 Maud "Lady of Hay" St Valery Baroness Bramber (age 55) starved to death at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map].
In 1210 William de Braose was imprisoned at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map].
In 1210 Maud "Lady of Hay" St Valery Baroness Bramber (age 55) was imprisoned at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map].
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 1210 William de Braose was starved to death at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map].
In 1247 Nicholas Moels (age 52) was appointed Constable of Corfe Castle, Dorset.
In 1299 Simon Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 49) was appointed Governor of Corfe Castle.
On 24th September 1329 John Maltravers 1st Baron Maltravers (age 39) was appointed Constable of Corfe Castle, Dorset.
In 1340 Richard Willoughby (age 50) was imprisoned at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map].
Chronicle of Gregory. Then the Quene (age 30) havynge knowelechynge of this praty whyle sche sende unto the Duke of Somersett (age 24), at that tyme beynge in Dorset schyre at the Castelle of Corffe [Map], and for the Erle of Devyschyre (age 28), and for Elysaundyr Hody, and prayde them to com to her as hastely as they might, with her tenantys as strong in her harnys as men of warre, for the Lord Rosse (age 33), the Lord Clyfforde (age 25), the Baron of Grestocke (age 46), the Lord Nevyle (age 50), the Lord Latymer (age 53), were waytyng a-pon the Duke of Excete[r] (age 30) to mete with her at Hulle [Map]. And this mater was not taryd but full prevely i-wrought; and she sende letters unto alle her ehyffe offycers that they wold doo the same, and that they shulde warne alle the servantys that lovyd her or purposyd to kepe and rejoyse her of Yysce, to wayte a-pon her at Hulle by that day as hit a-poyntyd by hyr. Alle thes pepylle were gaderyd and conveyde so prevely that they wer hole in nombyr of xvM [Note. 15000] or any man wolde be-leve it; in so moche yf any man said, or tolde, or talkyd of suche gaderyng, he shulde be schende, and some were in grete donger, for the common pepylle said by thoo that told the, troughthe, "Ye talke ryght ye wolde hit were," and gave noo credens of her sayynge. But the laste the lordys purposyd to knowe the troughthe. And the ix day of December [1460] nexte folowyng the Duke of Yorke (age 49), the Erle of Salysbury (age 60), the Erle Rutlond (age 17) (he was the Duke of Yorke is secunde sone, one the beste dysposyd lord in this londe), and Syr Thomas Haryngdon (age 60), whythe many mo knyghtys and quyers and grete pepylle with hem, and soo departyd out of London towarde Yorke, &c.
Patent Rolls. 2nd March 1478. Grant for life to the king's counsellor John Audeley, lord Audeley (age 52), of the office of steward of all lordships, manors and lands in the county of Dorset late of George, late duke of Clarence (deceased), and in the king's hands by his forfeiture, with 20 marks yearly from the issues of the lordship of Halisbere, co. Dorset; grant to him, during minority, of the office of steward of all lordships, manors and lands in the said county in the king's hands by reason of the minority of Edward (age 3), son of the said George, with 10 marks yearly from the issues of the premises; and grant to him for life of the office of constable and the custody of the castle of Warden and the office of constable and the custody of the castle of Corffe, with the accustomed fees from the issues of the king's lordships there and all other profits. By p.s.
In 1635 John Bankes (age 46) purchased Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map] from Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton (age 57).
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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Before 1934. Reginald Arthur Smith (age 62). "Corfe Castle [Map]".
Roger Damory 1st Baron Damory was appointed Constable of Corfe Castle, Dorset.
