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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Esquire to the Body is in Royal Household.
In 1441 John Norreys (age 41) was appointed Esquire to the Body.
In 1460 John Cheney 1st Baron Cheyne (age 18) was appointed Esquire to the Body to Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England (age 23).
Before December 1462 Thomas Burgh 1st Baron Burgh of Gainsborough (age 31) was appointed Esquire to the Body to King Edward IV of England (age 20), and to the Privy Council.
In 1469 William Norreys (age 28) was appointed Esquire to the Body to King Edward IV of England (age 26).
On 27th October 1485 Thomas Lovell was appointed Esquire to the Body to King Henry VII of England and Ireland (age 28).
In 1509 Edward Chamberlayne (age 25) was appointed Esquire to the Body.
In 1509 Giles Strangeways (age 22) was appointed Esquire to the Body.
In or before 1522 Francis Bryan (age 31) was appointed Esquire to the Body.
Before 1525 Robert Tyrwhitt Master (age 21) was appointed Esquire to the Body.
Before 1528 William Carey (age 27) was appointed Esquire to the Body to King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
Before 1528 Thomas Morgan (age 45) was appointed Esquire to the Body to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland (age 36).
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1533 George Harper (age 29) was appointed Esquire to the Body.
Before 1534 Edward Rogers (age 35) was appointed Esquire to the Body.
In 1539 Richard Manners (age 30) was appointed Esquire to the Body to King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
In 1541 Robert Oxenbridge (age 33) was appointed Esquire to the Body.
On 5th January 1656 Sharington Talbot was appointed Esquire to the Body to King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 25).
William Parr 1st Baron Parr of Horton was appointed Esquire to the Body to King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
Edward Neville was appointed Esquire to the Body to King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
William Parr 1st Baron Parr of Horton was appointed Esquire to the Body to King Henry VIII of England and Ireland.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Henry Knollys was appointed Esquire to the Body to Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland.
Ambrose Willoughby was appointed Esquire to the Body to Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland.
