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 Mary's Church, Warwick is in Warwick, Warwickshire [Map], Churches in Warwickshire.
After 26th July 1469 John Dudley (deceased) was buried at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map].
On 28th October 1571 William Parr 1st Marquess Northampton (age 59) died at Warwick Priory, Warwickshire [Map]. He was buried in the Chancel of St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. His funeral was paid for by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 38). Marquess Northampton and Earl Essex, Baron Parr of Kendal extinct.
On 21st February 1590 Ambrose Dudley 3rd Earl Warwick (age 60) died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. Earl Warwick and Baron Lisle extinct.
Monument at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map] with the inscription: Heare under this Tombe lieth the Corps of the Lord Ambrose Dudley ... deceases of his elder Brethren with out Issue , was Sonne and Heir to John Duke of Northumber- lande ; to whom Quene Elizabeth in the First Yeare of her Reigne gave the Mannour of Kibworth - Beauchamp , in the County of Leicester , to be held by the Service of beinge Pant- ler to the Kings and Quenes of this Reamle , at their Corona- tions , which Office and Mannour his said Father , and other his Ancesters , Erles of Warwick , helde ; In the second Yeare of her Reigne , the said Quene gave him the Office of Mayster of the Ordinaunce ; - 10 the fowrth Yeare of her sayd Reigne , She created Him Baron Lisle and Erle of War- wick ; In the same Yeare she made Him her Lieutenant Generall in Normandy , and during the Tyme of his Service there , He was chosen Knight of the noble Order of the Garter ; In the Twelvth Yeare of her Reigne the said Erle and Edward Lord Cinton , Lord Admerall of England , where made Live - tenantes Generall joinctely , and severally , of her Majesty's Army in the North Parts . In the Thirteenth Yeare of her Reigne the said Quene bestowed on him the Office of Chief Butler of England ; -and in the XVth Yeare of her Reigne he was sworn of her Privy Council ; -who departinge this Lief without Issue , the 21st Day of February , 1589. at Bedford House near the City of London , from whence as himself desired , his Corps was conveyed and interr'd in this Place ; - near his Brother Robert Erle of Leicester and others his noble Ancestors , which was accomplish'd by his last and weli - beloved Wief the Lady Anne Countess of Warwick , who in further testimony of her faithful Love towards Him , bestowed this Monument as a Remembrance of him .
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On 30th September 1628 Fulk Greville 13th Baron Latimer 5th Baron Willoughby 1st Baron Brooke (age 73) was killed at his house in London by servant Ralph Haywood who believed that he had been cheated in his master's will; Haywood then turned the knife on himself. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. His sister Margaret (age 67) de jure 14th Baroness Latimer of Corby, 6th Baroness Willoughby Broke. Richard Verney 14th Baron Latimer 6th Baron Willoughby (age 65) by marriage Baron Latimer of Corby, Baron Willoughby Broke. His first cousin once removed Robert (age 21) succeeded 2nd Baron Brooke of Beauchamps Court in Warwickshire.
On 9th April 1636 Cecily Puckering (age 13) died. Her funeral was held at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map] on 14th April 1636. The sermon Iohn Bryan, parson of Barford:
To the right Worshipfull, Sir Thomas Puckering (age 44), Knight and Baronet, and to his vertuous and religious Lady, increase of all saving graces here, and everlasting peace and rest in heaven.
This Sermon preached at the funerall of your dearest childe, (who was a gratious Saint on earth, and is now a glorious one in heaven) I doe humbly dedicate to you both; it being yours by all manner of right, and the best Present I am able to present your Worships with. My poore paines taken herein, I heartily acknowledge to deserve neither yours, nor the acceptation of any that are judicious; but the speeches which proceeded from the heavenly mouth of your blessed Daughter, which are here related, deserve in the judgement of wise and good men, to be written in letters of Gold, and to be known and read of all men, being full of life and power to quicken the dullest soule to a love and liking of the wayes of godlinesse. The desire to heare this Sermon preached, was great, and generall, as appeared by the great confluence of people out of Towne and Country; neither is it doubted, but that some good was then wrought upon many souls And the desire to have it published, is greater and more generall, there being hope conceived that much glory may be brought to God, and much edification to men, by considering the worke of God upon so tender yeares.
Your Worships have much honoured God and your selves, by bearing so great a triall with such admirable patience and comfort. What remaineth, but that you alwayes set before your eyes this matchlesse patterne which proceeded from your owne bowels, for your imitation; that as you were instruments to give her a temporall life, so she (though dead, yet speaking) may be an happy instrument, though not to give, yet to increase and maintaine the life of grace and consolation in your soules.
You have begunne to cleave to Christ with firme decree and full purpose of heart; and the world observeth, that you are already rich gainers by this great losse. Goe on I beseech you, and grow daily in the exemplary practise of a really religious life, being fully assured, that he whose glory you seeke, and whose yoke you beare, will in due time make up this breach, and recompence this losse, if not in the same kinde, (which I pray and hope) yet in some other, which shall be most for his glory, and your comfort in the end.
Neither is there cause that you should overmuch lament the losse of this one childe, seeing God hath blessed you with many children, though but one living, (upon whom, God Almighty double his blessings) For (to omit many, whose parents in effect you are) may I not call those sixe poore children in Warwicke for whom you have provided honest and profitable trades and callings, every seven yeares successively to the worlds end (of whose death there is no feare while the common wealth and lawes continue in life) your children?
But fearing, lest I should exceed the bounds of an Epistle desiring your favourable acceptance of this poore expression of my thankefull minde for your many favours, I humbly take my leave, and rest.
Your Worships much obliged, and in the Lord ever to be commanded, John Bryan.
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On 20th March 1637 Thomas Puckering 1st Baronet (age 45) died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map] where there is a monument by Nicholas Stone (age 50). Baronet Puckering of Weston in Hertfordshire extinct.
On 22nd January 1701 Henry Newton aka Puckering 3rd Baronet (age 82) died without male issue. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. Baronet Newton aka Puckering of Charlton in Kent extinct.
On 22nd October 1710 Fulke Greville 5th Baron Brooke (age 67) died at Twickenham, Richmond. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. His grandson Fulke (age 17) succeeded 6th Baron Brooke of Beauchamps Court in Warwickshire.
On 28th July 1727 William Greville 7th Baron Brooke (age 32) died at Poland Street Soho. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. His son Francis (age 7) succeeded 8th Baron Brooke of Beauchamps Court in Warwickshire.
On or before 8th April 1730, the date he was baptised at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map], James Wright 1st Baronet was born to James Wright of Warwick and Mary Huband (age 30). He married 9th December 1754 Catherine Stapleton Lady Wright, daughter of William Stapleton 4th Baronet and Catherine Paul Lady Stapleton, and had issue.
On 10th October 1746 George Greville 2nd Earl Warwick and Brooke was baptised at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. His godfather was King George II of Great Britain and Ireland (age 62).
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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On 10th August 1773 Charles Schuckburgh 5th Baronet (age 51) died without issue. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. His nephew George (age 21) succeeded 6th Baronet Schuckburgh of Schuckburgh in Warwickshire.
On or after 6th February 1783 John Warwick Smith (age 33) and Elizabeth Gerrard were married at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. She was a minor, and therefore much younger than her husband, who was now thirty-three. The ceremony was performed by the vicar, the Rev. Marmaduke Mathews, and the witnesses were Thomas Bentley and John Hands. The bride's first name is altered in the register from Sarah to Elizabeth.
On 15th September 1904 Josceline Reginald Heber-Percy (age 24) and Katharine Louisa Victoria Percy (age 22) were married at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. They were third cousins.
On 20th January 1984 Charles Greville 7th Earl of Warwick (age 72) died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Warwick [Map]. His son David (age 50) succeeded 8th Earl Warwick, 8th Earl Brooke Warwick Castle, 15th Baron Brooke of Beauchamps Court in Warwickshire.