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.
Paternal Family Tree: Capet
Maternal Family Tree: Inês Castro 1325-1355
On 22nd September 1428 [his father] Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal (age 36) and [his mother] Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Ferdinand I King Aragon and [his grandmother] Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon (age 54). He the son of King John I of Portugal (age 76) and Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal. They were first cousin once removed. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.
On 15th January 1432 Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal was born to [his father] Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal (age 40) and [his mother] Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 4.40%.
On 14th August 1433 [his grandfather] King John I of Portugal (age 81) died at Lisbon [Map]. His son [his father] Edward (age 41) succeeded I King Portugal.
In 1435 [his father] Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal (age 43) was appointed 149th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 13).
On 13th September 1438 [his father] Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal (age 46) died. His son Alfonso (age 6) succeeded V King Portugal.
In 1447 Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 14) and Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal (age 15) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal and Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. They were first cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1447 Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 14) was appointed 164th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 25).
On 29th January 1451 [his son] John Aviz died.
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.
On 29th January 1451 [his son] John Aviz was born to Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 19) and [his wife] Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal (age 19). He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 7.45%. He died aged less than one years old.
On 6th February 1452 [his daughter] Joan Aviz was born to Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 20) and [his wife] Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal (age 20). She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 7.45%.
On 16th March 1452 [his brother-in-law] Frederick "Peaceful or Fat" Habsburg III Holy Roman Emperor (age 36) was appointed III Holy Roman Emperor at St Peter's Basilica, Vatican. In the afternoon of the same day Frederick "Peaceful or Fat" Habsburg III Holy Roman Emperor and [his sister] Eleanor Aviz Holy Roman Empress (age 17) were married at St Peter's Basilica, Vatican. She by marriage Holy Roman Empress. She the daughter of [his father] Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal and [his mother] Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of Ernest "The Iron" Habsburg I Duke Austria and Cymburgis Masovia Duchess Austria.
In 1455 [his brother-in-law] Henry IV King Castile (age 29) and [his sister] Joan Aviz Queen Consort Castile (age 15) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of [his father] Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal and [his mother] Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of John II King Castile and [his aunt] Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Castile. They were first cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1455 [his wife] Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal (age 23) died.
On 3rd March 1455 [his son] John II King Portugal was born to Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 23) and [his former wife] Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 7.45%. He married 1470 his first cousin Eleanor Viseu Queen Consort Portugal and had issue.
On 3rd September 1467 [his sister] Eleanor Aviz Holy Roman Empress (age 32) died.
In 1470 John II King Portugal (age 14) and Eleanor Viseu Queen Consort Portugal (age 11) were married. He the son of Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 37) and Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal. They were first cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1475 Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 42) and Joanna "La Beltraneja" Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal (age 12) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. The difference in their ages was 30 years. She the daughter of Henry IV King Castile and Joan Aviz Queen Consort Castile (age 35). He the son of Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal and Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. They were uncle and niece. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 13th June 1475 [his sister] Joan Aviz Queen Consort Castile (age 36) died.
On 28th August 1481 Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 49) died. His son John (age 26) succeeded II King Portugal. Eleanor Viseu Queen Consort Portugal (age 23) by marriage Queen Consort Portugal.
On 12th April 1530 [his niece] Joanna "La Beltraneja" Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal (age 68) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Godwinson: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 2 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 18 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 16 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso III King Portugal 
Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Denis I King Portugal 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Queen Consort Portugal 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter III King Aragon 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Peter I King Portugal 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso X King Castile X King Leon 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Violante Barcelona Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
GrandFather: King John I of Portugal 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Pedro Fernández de Castro
Great x 1 Grandmother: Inês Castro
Father: Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward I of England 
Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Edward II of England Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Edward III of England Son of King Edward II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Philip IV of France 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella of France Queen Consort England 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Blois I Queen Navarre 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John of Avesnes II Count Hainaut II Count Holland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William of Avesnes I Count Hainaut III Count Avesnes III Count Holland II Count Zeeland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Luxemburg Countess Hainaut and Holland 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Philippa of Hainaut Queen Consort England 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Valois I Count Valois 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Valois Countess Zeeland Holland Avesnes and Hainaut 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Capet Countess Valois 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
GrandMother: Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal 
Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund "Crouchback" Plantagenet 1st Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Lancaster Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Navarre 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster 
Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Chaworth 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Chaworth
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Beauchamp 
Great x 1 Grandmother: Blanche Duchess of Lancaster 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis Brienne Viscount Beaumont 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Beaumont Sarthe 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Comyn 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Comyn Baroness Beaumont 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joanna Latimer
Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Guzman
Great x 1 Grandfather: John I King Castile 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Manuel Ivrea 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Juan Manuel Prince of Villena 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy
Great x 2 Grandmother: Juana Manuel Queen of Castile 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinando de la Cerda 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanca de la Cerda y Lara 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Juana "La Palomilla" Núñez de Lara
GrandFather: Ferdinand I King Aragon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James "The Just" II King Aragon 6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso IV King Aragon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Consort Aragon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter IV King Aragon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Castile 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick III King Sicily
Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter II King Sicily 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Capet 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor of Sicily Queen Consort Aragon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Mother: Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso "Avenger" XI King Castile 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Denis I King Portugal 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Sancho Alfonso Ivrea 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Guzman
GrandMother: Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Denis I King Portugal 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter I King Portugal 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Beatrice Burgundy 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Pedro Fernández de Castro
Great x 2 Grandmother: Inês Castro