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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Marquess Londonderry is in Marquessates of England Alphabetically, Marquessates of England Chronologically, Extant Marquessates of England.
Summary
1816. Robert Stewart 1st Marquess Londonderry [aged 76] created.
6th April 1821. Son Robert Stewart 2nd Marquess Londonderry [aged 51] succeeded.
12th August 1822. Half Brother Charles William Vane 3rd Marquess Londonderry [aged 44] succeeded.
6th March 1854. Son Frederick William Robert Stewart 4th Marquess Londonderry [aged 48] succeeded.
25th November 1872. Half Brother George Henry Vane-Tempest 5th Marquess Londonderry [aged 51] succeeded.
6th November 1884. Son Charles Stewart Vane-Tempest-Stewart 6th Marquess Londonderry [aged 32] succeeded.
8th February 1915. Son Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart 7th Marquess of Londonderry [aged 36] succeeded.
11th February 1949. Son Edward Vane-Tempest-Stewart 8th Marquess of Londonderry [aged 46] succeeded.
17th October 1955. Son Alistair Vane-Tempest-Stewart 9th Marquess of Londonderry [aged 18] succeeded.
20th June 2012. Son Frederick Aubrey Vane-Tempest-Stewart 10th Marquess of Londonderry [aged 40] succeeded.
In 1816 Robert Stewart 1st Marquess Londonderry [aged 76] was created 1st Marquess Londonderry. Frances Pratt Marchioness Londonderry [aged 65] by marriage Marchioness Londonderry.
On 6th April 1821 Robert Stewart 1st Marquess Londonderry [aged 81] died. His son Robert [aged 51] succeeded 2nd Marquess Londonderry. Amelia Hobart Marchioness Londonderry [aged 49] by marriage Marchioness Londonderry.
On 12th August 1822 Robert Stewart 2nd Marquess Londonderry [aged 53] committed suicide at Loring Hall, Kent. His half brother Charles [aged 44] succeeded 3rd Marquess Londonderry. Frances Vane Tempest Marchioness Londonderry [aged 22] by marriage Marchioness Londonderry.
On 6th March 1854 Charles William Vane 3rd Marquess Londonderry [aged 76] died at Londonderry House Park Lane. His son Frederick [aged 48] succeeded 4th Marquess Londonderry.
Monument at St Mary's Church, Long Newton [Map].
Frederick William Robert Stewart 4th Marquess Londonderry: On 7th July 1805 he was born to Charles William Vane 3rd Marquess Londonderry and Catherine Bligh. On 25th November 1872 Frederick William Robert Stewart 4th Marquess Londonderry died. His half brother George succeeded 5th Marquess Londonderry. Mary Cornelia Edwards Marchioness Londonderry by marriage Marchioness Londonderry.
On 25th November 1872 Frederick William Robert Stewart 4th Marquess Londonderry [aged 67] died. His half brother George [aged 51] succeeded 5th Marquess Londonderry. Mary Cornelia Edwards Marchioness Londonderry [aged 43] by marriage Marchioness Londonderry.
On 6th November 1884 George Henry Vane-Tempest 5th Marquess Londonderry [aged 63] died. His son Charles [aged 32] succeeded 6th Marquess Londonderry. Theresa Susey Helen Chetwynd-Talbot Marchioness Londonderry [aged 28] by marriage Marchioness Londonderry.
On 8th February 1915 Charles Stewart Vane-Tempest-Stewart 6th Marquess Londonderry [aged 62] died. His son Charles [aged 36] succeeded 7th Marquess Londonderry. Memorial at St Mary's Church, Long Newton [Map].
On 11th February 1949 Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart 7th Marquess of Londonderry [aged 70] died. His son Edward [aged 46] succeeded 8th Marquess Londonderry. Romaine Combe Marchioness of Londonderry [aged 44] by marriage Marchioness Londonderry.
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.
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On 17th October 1955 Edward Vane-Tempest-Stewart 8th Marquess of Londonderry [aged 52] died. His son Alistair [aged 18] succeeded 9th Marquess Londonderry.
On 20th June 2012 Alistair Vane-Tempest-Stewart 9th Marquess of Londonderry [aged 74] died. His son Frederick [aged 40] succeeded 10th Marquess Londonderry.