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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Horses Head Crest is in Great Helms and Male Headwear.
After 1418. Monument to John Harrington 4th Baron Harington (age 34) and Elizabeth Courtenay Baroness Bonville and Harington. Finely carved alabaster. Monument of the Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. Decorated orle and the plate gorget (throat protection), Hip Belt and the Horses Head Crest. She wearing a Crespine Headress. Chunky Lions Mane. Angels Supporting Pillow.
John Harrington 4th Baron Harington: In 1384 he was born to Robert Harrington 3rd Baron Harington and Isabel Loring Baroness Harington. On 21st May 1406 Robert Harrington 3rd Baron Harington died at Aldingham Furness, Lancashire. His son John succeeded 4th Baron Harington. On 11th April 1418 John Harrington 4th Baron Harington died. He was buried in the Lady Chapel of St Dubricius Church, Porlock [Map]. His brother William succeeded 5th Baron Harington. After 17th February 1461 John Harrington 4th Baron Harington and Elizabeth Courtenay Baroness Bonville and Harington were married. She by marriage Baroness Harington. She the daughter of Edward Courtenay 3rd or 12th Earl Devon and Maud Camoys Countess Devon.
After 22nd March 1426. All Saints Church Harewood [Map]. Monument to Richard Redman (deceased) and Elizabeth Aldeburgh. Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. Lancastrian Esses and Inter-twined Knots Collar. Horses Head Crest. Elaborate Crespine Headress. Chest with Angels with Rounded Wings holding Shields.
Elizabeth Aldeburgh: Brian Stapleton and she were married. Richard Redman and she were married. Around 1362 she was born to William Aldeburgh 1st Baron Aldeburgh Harewood and Elizabeth Lisle Baroness Ferrers Harewood. On 21st December 1417 Elizabeth Aldeburgh died.
After 1451. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Monument to Richard Vernon aka Pembridge (age 62) and Benedicta Ludlow. Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. He with an Lancastrian Esses Collar. Chest of sandstone with twenty-three niches containing, alternatively, twelve angels with shields, and eleven apostles. His head rests on the Vernon Horses Head Crest. She wearing Esses Collar and mitred Crespine Headress. Scabbard with IHS. Possibly the work of Sutton and Prentys.
Benedicta Ludlow: Shropshire Archaeological Society. And in addition, of our more abundant favour, we grant and give permission on our own behalf, and, as far as is in our power, on behalf of our heirs, to the aforesaid Isabel, Walter, and William Mosse, their heirs or assignees, that they themselves may give and grant the advowson and patronage of the aforesaid College, when it has thus been effectually founded, to Richard de Penbrugge, son of Richard Vernon, of Harlestonich, the near relative [Note. Richard Vernon aka Pembridge was great-nephew of Fulk de Pembridge of Tong Castle and heir of the the aforesaid Fulk, and to Benedicta, wife of the same Richard son of Richard, and to the heirs of the body of Richard son of Richard, and Benedicta, to be held, after after the death of the aforesaid Isabel, in such a way that if the same Richard son of Richard, and Benedicta die without heirs of their bodies, then the advowson and patronage of the aforesaid College remain with the heirs of the body of the same Richard son of Richard; and if the same Richard son of Richard die without an heir of his body, then the advovson and patronage of the aforesaid College remain with William Ludlow [Note. Son of William Ludlow and Isabel de Lingen] and Isabel his wife, sister of the aforesaid Richard, son of Richard, and the heirs of the body of the same William Ludlow and Isabel his wife; and if the same William Ludlow and Isabel his wife die without heirs of their bodies, then the advowson and patronage of the aforesaid College remain with the heirs of the body of the same Isabel, wife of William. Around 1391 she was born to John Ludlow and Isabel de Lingen at Hodnet, Shropshire. Before 1427 Richard Vernon aka Pembridge and she were married. In 1427 Benedicta Ludlow died at Tong, Shropshire.
