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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St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover is in Over Peover, Cheshire, Churches in Cheshire.
Exterior of St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].
In 1410 John Mainwaring (age 66) died. On 6th April 1418 Margaret Stafford (age 65) died. Both buried at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].
Monument at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map]. Camail and Jupon Period. IHC NASARE Lettering. Hip Belt. Lancastrian Esses Collar. Woman Esses Collar.
John Mainwaring: Around 1344 he was born to William "The Elder" IV Mainwaring in Over Peover, Cheshire. Before 1410 John Mainwaring and Margaret Stafford were married.
Margaret Stafford: Around 1345 she was born to John Stafford and Margaret Stafford.
After 1456. St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map]. Monument to Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover (deceased) and Margery Venables (age 87). Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. He with a Lancastrian Esses Collar and IHC NASARE Lettering his head resting on an Ass's Head Crest. She wearing a mitred crespine headress. Possiby Sutton and Prentys.
Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover: Around 1363 he was born to William "The Elder" IV Mainwaring. Before 1390 Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover and Catherine Harcourt were married. In 1391 Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover and Margery Venables were married at Kinderton, Middleton. In 1456 Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover died.
Margery Venables: Around 1369 she was born to Hugh Venables of Kinderton. Around 1387 Richard Bulkeley and she were married. In 1459 Margery Venables died.
In 1516 John Mainwaring of Over Peover (age 46) died. In 1529 Katherine Honford (age 45) died. Monument at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].
John Mainwaring of Over Peover: Around 1470 he was born to John Hankyn Mainwaring. Before 1488 John Mainwaring of Over Peover and Katherine Honford were married. They were third cousin once removed.
Katherine Honford: In 1471 she was born to John Holford and Jane Savage.
On 11th April 1573 Philip Mainwaring (age 73) died. He was buried at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].
Philip Mainwaring: Around 1500 he was born to John Mainwaring of Over Peover and Katherine Honford. In or before 1553 Philip Mainwaring and Anne Leycester were married. The difference in their ages was 32 years.
On 10th December 1647 Philip Mainwaring (age 56) died. He was buried at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].
In 1656 Ellen Minshull (age 61) died.
Philip Mainwaring: In 1591 he was born to Randulph Mainwaring of Over Peover and Jane Smythe. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.64%. Before 7th April 1623 Philip Mainwaring and Ellen Minshull were married.
Ellen Minshull: In 1595 she was born to Edward Minshull of Stoke.
Around 1650. North Chapel of St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].
On 4th November 1702 John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet (age 46) died. His son Thomas (age 21) succeeded 3rd Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.
On 4th November 1719 Elizabeth Whitley died.
Monument at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].
John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet: On 8th May 1656 he was born to Thomas Mainwaring 1st Baronet and Mary Delves. Before 7th August 1681 John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley were married. They were fourth cousins. On 28th June 1689 Thomas Mainwaring 1st Baronet died. His son John succeeded 2nd Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.
Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet: On 7th August 1681 he was born to John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley. Before 20th September 1726 Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet and Martha Lloyd were married. On 20th September 1726 Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet died. His nephew Henry succeeded 4th Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.