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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Earl Buchan is in Earl.
See: Earl Buchan, Earl Buchan, Earl Buchan Early.
Around 1209 William Comyn Earl Buchan [aged 46] by marriage Earl Buchan.
Around 1243 Margaret Buchan Countess Buchan [aged 59] succeeded Countess Buchan.
In 1289 Alexander Comyn 2nd Earl Buchan [aged 72] died. His son John succeeded 3rd Earl Buchan.
In 1308 John Comyn 3rd Earl Buchan died. His niece Alice succeeded 4th Countess Buchan.
Before 14th July 1310 Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan [aged 31] and Alice Comyn 4th Countess Buchan were married. She by marriage Baroness Beaumont. He by marriage Earl Buchan.
In 1695 David Erskine 9th Earl Buchan [aged 22] succeeded 9th Earl Buchan.
In or before 1700 David Erskine 9th Earl Buchan [aged 27] and Frances Fairfax Countess Buchan [aged 36] were married. She by marriage Countess Buchan.
On 15th September 1743 David Erskine 9th Earl Buchan [aged 71] and Isabella Blackett Countess Buchan [aged 52] were married. She by marriage Countess Buchan.
On 14th October 1745 David Erskine 9th Earl Buchan [aged 73] died. He died intestate and his estate was administered to a creditor on 12 December 1745. His son Henry [aged 35] succeeded 10th Earl Buchan.
On 1st December 1767 Henry Erskine 10th Earl of Buchan [aged 57] died. His son David [aged 25] succeeded 11th Earl Buchan.
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 13th September 1857 Henry David Erskine 12th Earl of Buchan [aged 74] died. His son David [aged 41] succeeded 13th Earl Buchan.
On 3rd December 1898 David Stuart Erskine 13th Earl of Buchan [aged 83] died. His son Shipley [aged 48] succeeded 14th Earl Buchan.
Alexander Comyn 2nd Earl Buchan succeeded 2nd Earl Buchan.
John Comyn 3rd Earl Buchan and Isabella Countess Buchan were married. She by marriage Countess Buchan. She the daughter of Donnchadh 3rd Earl Fife and Joan Clare Countess Fife. He the son of Alexander Comyn 2nd Earl Buchan and Elizabeth Quincy Countess Buchan. They were second cousin three times removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King John of England.
Alexander Comyn 2nd Earl Buchan and Elizabeth Quincy Countess Buchan were married. She by marriage Countess Buchan. She the daughter of Roger de Quincy 2nd Earl Winchester and Helen Galloway Countess Winchester. He the son of William Comyn Earl Buchan and Margaret Buchan Countess Buchan.
In 1394 Robert Stewart 1st Duke Albany [aged 54] was created 1st Earl Buchan. Muriella Keith Duchess Albany [aged 36] by marriage Countess Buchan.
On 3rd September 1420 Robert Stewart 1st Duke Albany [aged 80] died at Stirling Castle [Map]. His son Murdoch [aged 58] succeeded 2nd Duke Albany. His son John [aged 39] succeeded 2nd Earl Buchan. Elizabeth Douglas Countess Buchan and Orkney by marriage Countess Buchan.
On 17th August 1424 the English forces led by John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 35] inflicted a significant defeat on the French and Scottish army at the Battle of Verneuil; a second Agincourt. For the English Edmund Hungerford [aged 15], Ralph Longford [aged 23], John "Old Talbot" Talbot 1st Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 41] and Richard Waller [aged 29] fought.
On the French and Scottish side Pierre Valois, Archibald Douglas 1st Duke Touraine [aged 52], his son James Douglas, William Seton Master of Seton [aged 34], Alexander Home of Home and Dunglas [aged 56] were killed
John Stewart 2nd Earl Buchan [aged 43] was killed. His brother Robert [aged 39] de jure Earl Ross and Earl Buchan although he didn't claim the title since both titles had reverted to the Crown.
Jean Poton Xaintrailles [aged 34] fought.
Alexander "The Wolf of Badenoch" Stewart 3rd Earl Buchan was appointed 3rd Earl Buchan.
In 1469 James Stewart 1st Earl Buchan [aged 27] was created 1st Earl Buchan. Margaret Ogilvy Countess Buchan by marriage Countess Buchan.
In 1499 James Stewart 1st Earl Buchan [aged 57] died. His son Alexander succeeded 2nd Earl Buchan. Margaret Ruthven Countess Buchan by marriage Countess Buchan.
In 1505 Alexander Stewart 2nd Earl Buchan died. His son John [aged 7] succeeded 3rd Earl Buchan.
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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Around 1551 John Stewart 3rd Earl Buchan [aged 53] died. His granddaughter Christina [aged 3] succeeded 4th Countess Buchan.
On 18th August 1580 Robert Douglas Earl Buchan [aged 40] died. His son James succeeded 5th Earl Buchan.
On 26th August 1601 James Douglas 5th Earl Buchan [aged 21] died. His daughter Mary succeeded 6th Countess Buchan.
On 18th June 1615 James Erskine Earl Buchan [aged 21] and Mary Douglas 6th Countess Buchan [aged 14] were married. He by marriage Earl Buchan. She the daughter of James Douglas 5th Earl Buchan. He the son of John Erskine 19th Earl of Mar [aged 53] and Mary Stewart Countess Mar [aged 33]. They were second cousin once removed.
John Stewart 3rd Earl Buchan and Margaret Scrymgeour Countess Buchan were married. She by marriage Countess Buchan. He the son of Alexander Stewart 2nd Earl Buchan and Margaret Ruthven Countess Buchan.
Robert Douglas Earl Buchan by marriage Earl Buchan.