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: Leslie
Maternal Family Tree: Catherine Balsac Duchess Lennox
On 28th December 1614 [her father] John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes [age 14] and [her mother] Anne Erskine Countess of Rothes [age 17] were married. She by marriage Countess Rothes. She the daughter of [her grandfather] John Erskine 19th Earl of Mar [age 52] and [her grandmother] Mary Stewart Countess Mar [age 32].
On 23rd April 1620 Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss was born to [her father] John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes [age 20] and [her mother] Anne Erskine Countess of Rothes [age 23].
In July 1625 [her future husband] David Wemyss 2nd Earl of Wemyss [age 14] and Anna Balfour were married. He the son of John Wemyss 1st Earl of Wemyss [age 39] and Jane Gray Countess Wemyss.
In 1631 [her brother-in-law] Hugh Montgomerie 7th Earl Eglinton [age 18] and [her sister] Mary Leslie Countess of Eglinton [age 12] were married. She by marriage Countess Eglinton. She the daughter of [her father] John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes [age 31] and [her mother] Anne Erskine Countess of Rothes [age 33]. He the son of Alexander Seton aka Montgomerie 6th Earl Eglinton [age 43] and Anne Livingstone Countess Eglinton. They were fourth cousins.
On 20th November 1633 Walter Scott 1st Earl Buccleuch [age 27] died. His son [her future husband] Francis [age 6] succeeded 2nd Earl Buccleuch.
On 13th June 1637 Alexander Leslie [age 26] and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 17] were married. She the daughter of John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes [age 37] and Anne Erskine Countess of Rothes [age 40]. He the son of Alexander Leslie 1st Earl Leven [age 57].
After 13th June 1637 [her son] Alexander Leslie 2nd Earl Leven was born to [her husband] Alexander Leslie [age 26] and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 17]. He married 30th December 1656 Margaret Howard Countess Leven.
On 2nd May 1640 [her mother] Anne Erskine Countess of Rothes [age 43] died.
On 23rd August 1641 [her father] John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes [age 41] died. His son [her brother] John [age 11] succeeded 7th Earl Rothes.
Around 12th January 1644 [her husband] Alexander Leslie [age 33] died.
On 25th July 1646 Francis Scott 2nd Earl Buccleuch [age 19] and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 26] were married. She by marriage Countess Buccleuch. She the daughter of John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes and Anne Erskine Countess of Rothes. He the son of Walter Scott 1st Earl Buccleuch and Mary Hay Countess Buccleuch. They were half third cousins.
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.
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On 31st August 1647 [her daughter] Mary Scott 3rd Countess Buccleuch was born to [her husband] Francis Scott 2nd Earl Buccleuch [age 20] and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 27].
On 1st January 1648 [her brother] John Leslie 1st Duke Rothes [age 18] and [her sister-in-law] Anne Lindsay were married. She by marriage Countess Rothes. She the daughter of John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford [age 36] and Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford [age 36]. He the son of [her father] John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes and [her mother] Anne Erskine Countess of Rothes. They were fourth cousin twice removed.
In 1649 John Wemyss 1st Earl of Wemyss [age 63] died. His son [her future husband] David [age 38] succeeded 2nd Earl Wemyss. Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 28] by marriage Countess Wemyss.
In April 1650 [her future husband] David Wemyss 2nd Earl of Wemyss [age 39] and Helenor Fleming were married. She the daughter of John Fleming 2nd Earl Wigtown and Margaret Livingston Countess Wigtown. He the son of John Wemyss 1st Earl of Wemyss and Jane Gray Countess Wemyss. They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 11th February 1651 [her daughter] Anne Scott Duchess Monmouth and Buccleuch was born to [her husband] Francis Scott 2nd Earl Buccleuch [age 24] and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 30]. She married (1) 20th April 1663 her fifth cousin James Scott 1st Duke Monmouth 1st Duke Buccleuch and had issue (2) after 28th February 1681 Charles Cornwallis 3rd Baron Cornwallis, son of Charles Cornwallis 2nd Baron Cornwallis and Margaret Playstead.
On 22nd November 1651 [her husband] Francis Scott 2nd Earl Buccleuch [age 24] died. His daughter Mary [age 4] succeeded 3rd Countess Buccleuch.
On 13th January 1653 David Wemyss 2nd Earl of Wemyss [age 42] and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 32] were married. She the daughter of John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes and Anne Erskine Countess of Rothes. He the son of John Wemyss 1st Earl of Wemyss and Jane Gray Countess Wemyss. They were fourth cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 30th December 1656 Alexander Leslie 2nd Earl Leven [age 19] and Margaret Howard Countess Leven [age 21] were married. He the son of Alexander Leslie and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 36].
On 1st January 1659 [her daughter] Margaret Wemyss Countess Cromartie 3rd Countess Wemyss was born to [her husband] David Wemyss 2nd Earl of Wemyss [age 48] and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 38]. She married (1) 28th March 1672 James Wemyss 1st Lord Burntisland and had issue (2) after December 1682 George Mackenzie 1st Earl Cromartie.
After 7th January 1661 [her sister] Mary Leslie Countess of Eglinton [deceased] died.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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On 11th March 1661 [her daughter] Mary Scott 3rd Countess Buccleuch [age 13] died. Her sister Anne [age 10] succeeded 4th Countess Buccleuch.
On 20th April 1663 [her son-in-law] James Scott 1st Duke Monmouth 1st Duke Buccleuch [age 14] and Anne Scott Duchess Monmouth and Buccleuch [age 12] were married. She by marriage Duchess Monmouth. She the daughter of Francis Scott 2nd Earl Buccleuch and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 42]. He the illegitmate son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [age 32] and Lucy Walter. They were fifth cousins.
On 15th July 1664 [her son] Alexander Leslie 2nd Earl Leven [age 27] died.
On 28th March 1672 [her son-in-law] James Wemyss 1st Lord Burntisland [age 15] and Margaret Wemyss Countess Cromartie 3rd Countess Wemyss [age 13] were married. She the daughter of David Wemyss 2nd Earl of Wemyss [age 61] and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 51].
In July 1679 [her husband] David Wemyss 2nd Earl of Wemyss [age 68] died at Wemyss Castle. His daughter Margaret [age 20] succeeded 3rd Countess Wemyss. James Wemyss 1st Lord Burntisland [age 22] by marriage Earl Wemyss.
On 29th May 1680 [her brother] John Leslie 1st Duke Rothes [age 50] was created 1st Duke Rothes. [her sister-in-law] Anne Lindsay Duchess Rothes by marriage Duchess Rothes.
After 28th February 1681 [her son-in-law] Charles Cornwallis 3rd Baron Cornwallis [age 25] and Anne Scott Duchess Monmouth and Buccleuch [age 30] were married. She the daughter of Francis Scott 2nd Earl Buccleuch and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 60].
On 26th July 1681 [her brother] John Leslie 1st Duke Rothes [age 51] died. Duke Rothes extinct. His daughter [her niece] Margaret succeeded Countess Rothes.
After December 1682 [her son-in-law] George Mackenzie 1st Earl Cromartie [age 52] and Margaret Wemyss Countess Cromartie 3rd Countess Wemyss [age 23] were married. The difference in their ages was 29 years. She the daughter of David Wemyss 2nd Earl of Wemyss and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 62].
In February 1688 Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss [age 67] died.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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[her daughter] Walter Scott was born to Francis Scott 2nd Earl Buccleuch and Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Philip V King France I King Navarre
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Leslie 4th Earl Rothes 
Great x 1 Grandfather: Andrew Leslie 5th Earl Rothes
GrandFather: James Leslie Master of Rothes
Father: John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes
Margaret Leslie Countess Buccleuch and Wemyss 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Erksine 3rd Lord Erskine 15th Earl of Mar 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Erskine 4th Lord Erskine 16th Earl of Mar 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Erskine 17th Earl of Mar 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Erskine 18th Earl of Mar 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Colin Campbell 1st Earl Argyll 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Archibald Campbell 2nd Earl Argyll 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Stewart Countess Argyll 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Campbell Countess Mar 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart 1st Earl Lennox 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stewart Countess Argyll 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Montgomerie Countess Lennox
GrandFather: John Erskine 19th Earl of Mar 11 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Mother: Anne Erskine Countess of Rothes 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Matthew Stewart 2nd Earl Lennox 11 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Stewart 3rd Earl Lennox 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hamilton Countess Lennox 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Stewart Duke Orkney 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart 1st Earl Atholl 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel or Elizabeth Stewart Countess Lennox 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Sinclair Countess Atholl 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Esme Stewart 1st Duke Lennox 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Queuille Lady Aubigny
GrandMother: Mary Stewart Countess Mar 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Balsac Duchess Lennox