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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Second Civil War is in 1640-1649 Civil War and Regicide.
The May 1648 Kentish Rebellion was, in effect, the commencement of the Second Civil War of 1648. The rebels, commanded by George Goring 1st Earl Norwich, raised forces across Kent. Deal Castle [Map], Walmer Castle [Map] and Sandown Castle surrendered. The rebels then besieged Dover Castle [Map]. Parliament dispatched troops commanded by Nathaniel Rich of Stondon to suppress the rebels.
On 5th July 1648 Michael Stanhope was killed at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, Nottinghamshire [Map] during the Battle of Willoughby Field.
The Battle of St Neots on 10th July 1648 was a skirmish during the Second English Civil War at St Neots in Cambridgeshire. A Royalist force led by Henry Rich 1st Earl Holland, who was captured, and Colonel John Dalbier, who was killed, was defeated by a hundred veteran troops from the New Model Army, commanded by Colonel Adrian Scrope.
Kenelm Digby drowned whilst attempting to cross the River Great Ouse.
On 10th July 1648 Henry Rich 1st Earl Holland fought for the Royalist army, and surrendered, by his account, on condition his life would be spared. He was executed ten months later.
On 17th August 1648 John Hay 1st Marquess Teviotdale for the Royalist army at Walton en le Dale, Preston during the 1648 Battle of Preston.
On 28th August 1648 Colchester, Essex [Map] surrendered to Parliament forces after a three month siege.
Charles Lucas and George Lisle surrendered, subjected to a trial and were shot and killed in Colchester Castle, Essex.
John Evelyn's Diary. 30th May 1648. There was a rising now in Kent, my Lord of Norwich being at the head of them. Their first rendezvous was in Broome-field, next my house at Sayes Court, Deptford [Map], whence they went to Maidstone, and so to Colchester, Essex [Map], where was that memorable siege.
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.
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John Evelyn's Diary. 8th July 1656. To Colchester, Essex [Map], a fair town, but now wretchedly demolished by the late siege, especially the suburbs, which were all burned, but were then repairing. The town is built on a rising ground, having fair meadows on one side, and a river with a strong ancient castle, said to have been built by King Coilus, father of Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, of whom I find no memory save at the pinnacle of one of their wool-staple houses, where is a statue of Coilus, in wood, wretchedly carved. The walls are exceedingly strong, deeply trenched, and filled with earth. It has six gates, and some watchtowers, and some handsome churches. But what was shown us as a kind of miracle, at the outside of the Castle, the wall where Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle, those valiant and noble persons who so bravely behaved themselves in the last siege, were barbarously shot, murdered by Ireton in cold blood, after surrendering on articles; having been disappointed of relief from the Scotch army, which had been defeated with the King at Worcester. The place was bare of grass for a large space, all the rest of it abounding with herbage. For the rest, this is a ragged and factious town, now swarming with sectaries. Their trading is in cloth with the Dutch, and baize and says with Spain; it is the only place in England where these stuffs are made unsophisticated. It is also famous for oysters and eringo root, growing hereabout, and candied for sale.
Between 15th September 1648 and 27th November 1648 the Treaty of Newport attempted to reconcile King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (who was imprisoned at nearby Carisbrooke Castle [Map]) with Parliament. Denzil Holles 1st Baron Holles and Henry Vane "The Younger" represented Parliament. James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde represented King Charles. The Treaty eventually came to nothing.
Parliament was also represented by John Crew 1st Baron Crew, John Glynne, Nathaniel Fiennes, William Pierrepont of Thoresby, Algernon Percy 10th Earl of Northumberland, William Fiennes 1st Viscount Saye and Sele, Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery, William Cecil 2nd Earl Salisbury, James Cranfield 2nd Earl Middlesex and Thomas Wenman 2nd Viscount Wenman.
John Evelyn's Diary. 13th December 1648. The Parliament now sat up the whole night, and endeavored to have concluded the Isle of Wight Treaty; but were surprised by the rebel army; the members dispersed, and great confusion every where in expectation of what would be next.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 9th November 1663. Thence I took leave of them, and so having taken up something at my wife's tailor's, I home by coach and there to my office, whither Shales came and I had much discourse with him about the business of the victualling, and thence in the evening to the Coffee-house, and there sat till by and by, by appointment Will brought me word that his uncle Blackburne was ready to speak with me. So I went down to him, and he and I to a taverne hard by, and there I begun to speak to Will friendlily, advising him how to carry himself now he is going from under my roof, without any reflections upon the occasion from whence his removal arose. This his uncle seconded, and after laying down to him his duty to me, and what I expect of him, in a discourse of about a quarter of an houre or more, we agreed upon his going this week, towards the latter (end) of the week, and so dismissed him, and Mr. Blackburne and I fell to talk of many things, wherein I did speak so freely to him in many things agreeing with his sense that he was very open to me: first, in that of religion, he makes it great matter of prudence for the King and Council to suffer liberty of conscience; and imputes the losse of Hungary to the Turke from the Emperor's denying them this liberty of their religion. He says that many pious ministers of the word of God, some thousands of them, do now beg their bread: and told me how highly the present clergy carry themselves every where, so as that they are hated and laughed at by everybody; among other things, for their excommunications, which they send upon the least occasions almost that can be. And I am convinced in my judgement, not only from his discourse, but my thoughts in general, that the present clergy will never heartily go down with the generality of the commons of England; they have been so used to liberty and freedom, and they are so acquainted with the pride and debauchery of the present clergy. He did give me many stories of the affronts which the clergy receive in all places of England from the gentry and ordinary persons of the parish. He do tell me what the City thinks of General Monk, as of a most perfidious man that hath betrayed every body, and the King also; who, as he thinks, and his party, and so I have heard other good friends of the King say, it might have been better for the King to have had his hands a little bound for the present, than be forced to bring such a crew of poor people about him, and be liable to satisfy the demands of every one of them. He told me that to his knowledge (being present at every meeting at the Treaty at the Isle of Wight), that the old King did confess himself overruled and convinced in his judgement against the Bishopps, and would have suffered and did agree to exclude the service out of the churches, nay his own chappell; and that he did always say, that this he did not by force, for that he would never abate one inch by any vyolence; but what he did was out of his reason and judgement.
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In 1645 John Burgoyne 1st Baronet was elected MP Warwickshire in the Long Parliament which seat he held until 1648 when excluded by Pride's Purge.
On 6th January 1649 Thomas Pride, on behalf of Thomas Fairfax 3rd Lord Fairfax and Henry Ireton, supported by two regiments, and Nathaniel Rich's Regiment of Horse, with Thomas Grey, prevented MPs opposed to the trial of King Charles I from entering Parliament including...
In 1646 Herbert Springet 1st Baronet was elected MP New Shoreham which seat he held until 1648 when excluded by Pride's Purge.