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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Paternal Family Tree: Daubigny
Maternal Family Tree: Emmeline Riddlesford 1223-1276
In or before 1383 William Montagu and [his mother] Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk [aged 16] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel [aged 36] and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey [aged 32]. He the son of William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury [aged 54] and Elizabeth Mohun Countess of Salisbury. They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 20th February 1383 [his father] Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk [aged 14] and Elizabeth Strange Countess Nottingham [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Countess Nottingham. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King John of England.
Before 17th September 1385 [his father] Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk [aged 17] and [his mother] Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Countess Nottingham. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel [aged 39] and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey. They were second cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 17th September 1385 Thomas Mowbray 4th Earl Norfolk 2nd Earl Nottingham was born to [his father] Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk [aged 17] and [his mother] Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk [aged 19]. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.69%.
In 1391 John Dunbar 1st Earl of Moray [aged 49] was killed in a tournament at York [Map] from wounds received from Thomas Mowbray 4th Earl Norfolk 2nd Earl Nottingham [aged 5]. His son Thomas [aged 20] succeeded 5th Earl Moray.
On 24th March 1399 Margaret Plantagenet 1st Duchess of Norfolk died. Duke Norfolk extinct since it was created for life only. She was buried in the choir of Christ Church, Greyfriars [Map]. Her grandson [his father] Thomas [aged 31] succeeded 3rd Earl Norfolk. [his mother] Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk [aged 33] by marriage Countess Norfolk.
On 22nd September 1399 [his father] Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk [aged 31] died of plague in Venice [Map] whilst in exile. He was buried at St Mark's Cathedral, Venice [Map]. Duke Norfolk forfeit. His son Thomas [aged 14] succeeded 4th Earl Norfolk, 2nd Earl Nottingham, 7th Baron Mowbray, 8th Baron Segrave and Earl Marshal.
Before August 1401 [his step-father] Robert Goushill and [his mother] Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk [aged 35] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey.
Before 1st June 1402 Thomas Mowbray 4th Earl Norfolk 2nd Earl Nottingham [aged 16] and Constance Holland Countess Norfolk and Nottingham [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Norfolk, Countess Nottingham. She the daughter of John Holland 1st Duke Exeter and Elizabeth Lancaster Duchess Exeter [aged 39]. He the son of Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk and Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk [aged 36]. They were third cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 27th May 1405 Archbishop Richard Scrope [aged 55] and Thomas Mowbray 4th Earl Norfolk 2nd Earl Nottingham [aged 19] assembled a force of around 8000 men at Shipton Moor, Hambleton. Believing they had been given safe conduct by Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland [aged 41] and assured their demands would be met, the rebel army disbanded
On 29th May 1405 Archbishop Richard Scrope [aged 55] and Thomas Mowbray 4th Earl Norfolk 2nd Earl Nottingham [aged 19] were arrested and taken to Pontefract Castle [Map].
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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On 3rd June 1405 Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter [aged 28] arrived at York [Map]. The King denied the accused trial by their peers. [his uncle] Thomas Fitzalan 10th Earl of Surrey 5th or 12th Earl of Arundel [aged 23] and Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter sat in judgement of Archbishop Richard Scrope [aged 55] and Thomas Mowbray 4th Earl Norfolk 2nd Earl Nottingham [aged 19]. William Gascoigne [aged 55] refused to pronounce sentence on Archbishop Richard Scrope and Thomas Mowbray 4th Earl Norfolk 2nd Earl Nottingham asserting their right to be tried by their peers.
On 8th June 1405 before a great crowd at York [Map]..
Archbishop Richard Scrope [aged 55] was beheaded.
Thomas Mowbray 4th Earl Norfolk 2nd Earl Nottingham [aged 19] was beheaded. His brother John [aged 13] succeeded 5th Earl Norfolk, 3rd Earl Nottingham, 8th Baron Mowbray, 9th Baron Segrave.
Around March 1405 William Gascoigne [aged 55] refused to pass sentence on Archbishop Richard Scrope [aged 55] and Thomas Mowbray 4th Earl Norfolk 2nd Earl Nottingham [aged 19] who were accused of involvement in the Northern Rising asserting their right to be tried by peers. They were both subsequently executed.
Chronicle of Gregory. 8th June 1405. Alle so the same year Syr Richard Schroppe, Archebyschoppe of Yorke [aged 55], and the Lord Mowbray [aged 19], were be-heddyd at Yorke.
Around 1410 John Grey [aged 23] and [his former wife] Constance Holland Countess Norfolk and Nottingham [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Baroness Grey of Ruthyn. She the daughter of John Holland 1st Duke Exeter and [his former mother-in-law] Elizabeth Lancaster Duchess Exeter [aged 46]. They were half third cousin twice removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1437 [his former wife] Constance Holland Countess Norfolk and Nottingham [aged 50] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 8 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 14 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 9 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 3 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 17 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 15 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Mowbray 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Mowbray 1st Baron Mowbray 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Beauchamp 
Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Mowbray 2nd Baron Mowbray 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard de Clare 6th Earl Gloucester 5th Earl Hertford 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Rohese Clare Baroness Mowbray 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Lacy Countess Gloucester and Hertford 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Mowbray 3rd Baron Mowbray 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William de Braose 1st Baron de Braose 9th Baron Bramber 
Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William de Braose 2nd Baron de Braose 10th Baron Bramber 2 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Aline Multon 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Aline de Braose Baroness Mowbray 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
GrandFather: John Mowbray 4th Baron Mowbray Baron Segrave 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry III of England 
Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund "Crouchback" Plantagenet 1st Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Lancaster Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Capet Count of Artois 
Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Navarre 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Reginar Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Plantagenet Baroness Mowbray 
Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Chaworth 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Patrick Chaworth
Great x 2 Grandmother: Maud Chaworth
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Beauchamp 9th Earl Warwick
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Beauchamp
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Fitzjohn Countess Warwick
Father: Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Segrave 1st Baron Segrave 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Segrave 2nd Baron Segrave
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud de Lucy 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Stephen Segrave 3rd Baron Segrave
Great x 3 Grandmother: Christiana Plessey Baroness Segrave
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Segrave 4th Baron Segrave 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzalan 7th Earl of Arundel 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 1st or 8th Earl of Arundel 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Mortimer Countess Arundel 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Fitzalan Baroness Segrave 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas I Marquess Saluzzo 
5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Saluzzo Countess Arundel 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
GrandMother: Elizabeth Segrave 5th Baroness Segrave Baroness Mowbray Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry III of England Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas of Brotherton 1st Earl Norfolk Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Philip III of France 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret of France Queen Consort England 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maria of Brabant Queen Consort France 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Plantagenet 1st Duchess of Norfolk Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Hales
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Hales Countess Norfolk
Thomas Mowbray 4th Earl Norfolk 2nd Earl Nottingham 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzalan 7th Earl of Arundel 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 1st or 8th Earl of Arundel 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Mortimer Countess Arundel 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edmund Fitzalan 2nd or 9th Earl of Arundel 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas I Marquess Saluzzo 5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Saluzzo Countess Arundel 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Warenne 6th Earl of Surrey
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Warenne
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Lusignan Countess of Surrey 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Warenne Countess Arundel
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert de Vere 5th Earl of Oxford 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Vere
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Sanford Countess of Oxford
GrandFather: Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry III of England Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund "Crouchback" Plantagenet 1st Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Lancaster Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Capet Count of Artois Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Navarre 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Reginar Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Chaworth
Great x 3 Grandfather: Patrick Chaworth
Great x 2 Grandmother: Maud Chaworth
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Beauchamp 9th Earl Warwick
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Beauchamp
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Fitzjohn Countess Warwick
Mother: Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Bohun 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Bohun 3rd Earl Hereford 2nd Earl Essex
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor de Braose
Great x 2 Grandfather: Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex
Great x 4 Grandfather: Enguerrand Ingleram Fiennes 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Fiennes Countess Essex and Hereford
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Provence 
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry III of England Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Provence Queen Consort England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ferdinand III King Castile III King Leon 
Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Dammartin Queen Consort Castile and Leon
GrandMother: Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gunselin Badlesmere 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Fitzbernard
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard de Clare 6th Earl Gloucester 5th Earl Hertford 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas de Clare 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Lacy Countess Gloucester and Hertford 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Fitzgerald 4th Lord Offaly 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Juliana Fitzgerald 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Emmeline Longespée Baroness Offaly Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England