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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In 1669 Charles D'Agar was born.
Around 1695. Charles D'Agar [aged 26] (attributed). Portrait of Mary Preston Marchioness Powis.
In 1700. Charles D'Agar [aged 31]. Portrait of Richard Hill of Hawkstone [aged 44].
Richard Hill of Hawkstone: On or before 23rd March 1655 he was born to Rowland Hill. He was baptised on 23 Mar 1655. On 11th June 1727 Richard Hill of Hawkstone died.
Around 1707. Charles D'Agar [aged 38]. Portrait of Thomas Crew 2nd Baron Crew.
Around 1710. Charles D'Agar [aged 41]. Portrait of Alicia Brownlow Baroness Guildford [aged 26].
Alicia Brownlow Baroness Guildford: In 1684 she was born to John Brownlow 3rd Baronet and Alice Sherard Baroness Brownlow. In 1703 Francis North 2nd Baron Guildford and she were married. She by marriage Baroness Guildford. In 1710 Margaret Brownlow died of smallpox. Her estate of £40,000 was divided between her four sisters: Jane Brownlow Duchess Ancaster and Kesteven, Elizabeth Brownlow Countess Exeter, Alicia Brownlow Baroness Guildford and Eleanor Brownlow Viscountess Tyconnel. In 1727 Alicia Brownlow Baroness Guildford died.
Before 1712. Charles D'Agar [aged 42]. Portrait of Elizabeth Felton Countess Bristol [aged 35] and twins Henrietta Hervey [aged 8] and Charles Hervey [aged 8].
Elizabeth Felton Countess Bristol: On 18th December 1676 she was born to Thomas Felton 4th Baronet and Elizabeth Howard Lady Felton. On 25th July 1695 John Hervey 1st Earl Bristol and she were married. They were third cousin twice removed. In March 1703 John Hervey 1st Earl Bristol was created 1st Baron Hervey of Ickworth in Suffolk. She by marriage Countess Bristol. In 1741 Elizabeth Felton Countess Bristol died.
Henrietta Hervey: On 5th April 1703 twins Charles Hervey and Henrietta Hervey were born to John Hervey 1st Earl Bristol and Elizabeth Felton Countess Bristol. In April 1712 Henrietta Hervey died.
Charles Hervey: Around 1441 he was appointed Prebendary of Ely Cathedral. On 31st December 1743 Charles Hervey and Martha Maria Howard were married. There was no issue from the marriage. He the son of John Hervey 1st Earl Bristol and Elizabeth Felton Countess Bristol. They were third cousin once removed. On 21st March 1783 Charles Hervey died.
Around 1712. Charles D'Agar [aged 43]. Portrait of Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford.
Around 1715. Charles D'Agar [aged 46]. Portrait of Edward Graham 2nd Viscount Preston and his son Charles Graham 3rd Viscount Preston [aged 8].
Edward Graham 2nd Viscount Preston: Around 1679 he was born to Richard Graham 1st Viscount Preston and Ann Howard Viscountess Preston. On 22nd November 1695 Richard Graham 1st Viscount Preston died. His son Edward succeeded 2nd Viscount Preston, 4th Baronet Graham of Esk in Cumberland. In 1710 Edward Graham 2nd Viscount Preston died. His son Charles succeeded 3rd Viscount Preston, 5th Baronet Graham of Esk in Cumberland.
Charles Graham 3rd Viscount Preston: On 25th March 1706 he was born to Edward Graham 2nd Viscount Preston. On 22nd February 1739 Charles Graham 3rd Viscount Preston died. Viscount Preston extinct. His second cousin William succeeded 6th Baronet Graham of Esk in Cumberland
Before 1718. Charles D'Agar [aged 48]. Portrait of Frances Winchcombe Viscountess Bolingbroke [aged 37].
In 1718. Charles D'Agar [aged 49]. Portrait of Henry St John 1st Viscount Bolingbroke [aged 39].
In 1718. Charles D'Agar [aged 49]. Portrait of Henry Harpur 5th Baronet [aged 9] and John Harpur [aged 8].
John Harpur: Around 1710 he was born to John Harpur 4th Baronet. In 1780 John Harpur died.
Around 1721. Charles D'Agar [aged 52] (attributed). Portrait of Barbara Ivory
Barbara Ivory: Henry Davenport and she were married. she was born to John Ivory and Anne Talbot.
Before 1723. Charles D'Agar [aged 53]. Portrait of Gertrude Carew Lady Coplestone Lady Copley Sprotborough [aged 40]
Gertrude Carew Lady Coplestone Lady Copley Sprotborough: In 1682 she was born to John Carew 3rd Baronet and Mary Morice Lady Carew. Around 1700 Godfrey Copley 2nd Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Copley Sprotborough. The difference in their ages was 29 years. Before 1718 Coplestone Warwick Bamfylde 3rd Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Bampfylde of Poltimore in Devon. They were second cousins. On 14th April 1736 Gertrude Carew Lady Coplestone Lady Copley Sprotborough died.
Before 1723. Charles D'Agar [aged 53]. Portrait of Griffith Rice [aged 58]
Griffith Rice: Around 1664 he was born to Walter Rice of Newton. Before 1729 Griffith Rice died.
Before 1723. Charles D'Agar [aged 53]. Portrait of John Harpur 4th Baronet [aged 43].
Before 1723. Charles D'Agar [aged 53]. Portrait of Jemima Crew Marchioness Kent [aged 47].
Before 1723. Charles D'Agar [aged 53]. Portrait of Amabel Grey [aged 24]. Whole length portrait. She stands to the right on a black and white paved floor in a blue dress, leaning on a stone balustrade. There is an architectural background to the left.
In 1723 Charles D'Agar [aged 54] died.
In 1723. Charles D'Agar [aged 54]. Portrait of Amabel Grey [aged 24]