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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Utkinton, Cheshire is in Cheshire.
On 13th August 1674 Mary Devereux Knightley [aged 1] died at Utkinton, Cheshire.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 12th February 1690. Wednesday, cosen Brereton (the widdow) came to visit us; we set out about 9; called at Hampton Post, Cheshire; there parted with G.Mainwaring [aged 47] (he went to Chester) we called at Utkington; did not alight; saw Sir John, his lady, Mrs Hurlestone, &c. at the Gates; dranck wine, &c. came to Peele before 6; Hardware met us at Tarporly [Map], or Utkinton, brought us home; where we found my 2 sisters,&c. the Stage coach went to Chester that night.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 29th March 1690. Satorday, my daughters & Sidney dined at Utkinton, Cheshire, met Lady Delamer there from London; retorned about 4.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 8th May 1690. Thursday, Jackson & his wife went home; I went with Bidolph & Minshall about 3 to Tarvyn; there was Crew, Lee, Gleg, Aldersey, &c. about the militia; we parted about 5: 9. Friday, Scranmore & G.Mainwaring [aged 47] came to dine with us (daughter Mainwaring went to Utkinton, Cheshire, & Charlotte & sisters to Mrs Williams funerall at Chester) Jackson, yong Henthorne, G.Mainwaring's cosen,&c. dined with us; Salisbury came with a periwig to Bidolph they all went about 6; Henthorne about 4; Minshall & Morgan stayd all night.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 26th May 1690. Monday, Bostock & his men & Foster came to work; Mr Traverse came to see us & Savage to daughter Mainwaring; they dined with us, Bidolph Angell & Morgan daughters & sister Anne went (about 3) to Utkington; retorned about 7; Angell about 5; Traverse supt with us;.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 9th June 1690. Monday, Bidolph, Offley, &c. dined with us; Offley went to Utkington in the afternoone; retorned past 9, &c. the 2 Husseys went away about 5.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 11th July 1690. Friday, Huson, & Tomkinson went to Shotwick, Cheshire past 9; after dinner Mainwaring & Bidolph went to Utkinton, Cheshire; my sonne [aged 39], Lloyd & Jack Whitley went also abroad; retorned late.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 19th July 1690. Satorday, after dinner daughter Mainwaring went to Utkinton, Cheshire & Peover & I & my sonne [aged 39] to Chester, alighted at Wrights, went to the Angells; thence I went to Booth's; there was Fernaugh & 2 others, they stayd not; I discoursed him about sister Whitley's suites; proposed a reference; left him presently; discoursed awhile with Anderson in the streete; went to the Sunne, there met Viccars, Jones, Parry, Murray, & Deane; Murray's brother came to us & the barber to trimme me; I left them past 6; went to Jackson's; there came to me Crosse, Gray, Farington, Bradshaw; then the Governor & Bell; they drank a glasse of wine & left us presently; after, I & sonne took coach (about 8) went home.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 21st July 1690. Monday, Alderman Mainwaring's man brought me 2 Irish letters from my sonne [aged 39]; Crosse & Cotton came about sealing Cotton's lease for his house without the Norgate; dined with us; went past 2: daughters & sisters went to Utkinton, Cheshire, retorned at 8; G. Taylor came from Peover with a letter & venison from daughter Mainwaring.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 11th September 1690. Thursday, Bidolph Morgan & sonne [aged 39] went a coursing; Traverse came with them home,& dined; after dinner I, sonne, Bidolph & Morgan went to Utkington; there was Crew, Church, Damport, Huxley, another (a stranger),&c. we came at 4, parted at 6; came home; Mainwaring came back after I was in bed; the gardner went to Warburton with venison.
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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Roger Whitley's Diary. 23rd September 1690. Tuesday, Huson went early towards Mold assises; about 9 my sonne [aged 39] & Morgan went after him; after dinner Mainwaring went to Utkington; Traverse & Bonnell dined with us; Grantham came after dinner; brother Robinson stayd all night.