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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Everleigh Barrows is in Everleigh, Wiltshire, Wiltshire Bronze Age Barrows.
Wiltshire Archaeological Magazine 1885 V22 Pages 234-238. "Friday, 9 October [1807]. Fine and mild day. From Marlborough to Everley in a chaise, where I met my "Magnus Apollo," Mr. Cunnington. Mounted my horse and rode with him thus— see large map of Wilts. To the right between East and West Everley, a group of three barrows, viz., a finely formed Druid barrow between two bowl-shaped. A little beyond them on the declivity of a hill is a square earthen work, very perfect on three sides, and corners apparently rounded. In a northerly direction is a very interesting group of eight tumuli — very rude and possessing some novelty in their forms— particularly that of a long barrow within a circle. To the west of these, and a little on the left of the track leading to Pewsey, are two circles connected with each other by a ditch or hollow way [Map]. (The blackness of the soil, and the irregularity of the ground give me good reason to suppose that on digging I shall find the site of a British settlement here.) Turned off to the right, and skirted the ridge of hills, enjoying a most enchanting view of the richly wooded and cultivated vale beneath, terminated by the abrupt and bold Martinshall. On the declivity of the down see an immense irregular long barrow, called vulgarly the Giant's Grave [Map]. Beyond this tumulus and between it and Milton Farm-house, we evidently found the site of British habitations, and picked up a great deal of pottery. From hence crossed over to Easton Hill, where we discovered irregular earthen works, and excavations denoting ancient habitation. Returned to Milton Hill — a group of five tumuli very near each other, and another on the declivity of the hill [Map]. In our way back to Everley saw several others detached, but no earthen works or excavations exciting curiosity.
"A most interesting ride, full of novelty and information.
