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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Marquess Atholl

Marquess Atholl is in Marquess.

On 7th February 1676 John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl [aged 44] was created 1st Marquess Atholl. Amelia Stanley Marchioness Atholl [aged 43] by marriage Marchioness Atholl.

On 6th May 1703 John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl [aged 72] died. His son John [aged 43] succeeded 2nd Marquess Atholl, 3rd Earl Atholl, 4th Earl Tullibardine. Catherine Hamilton Duchess Atholl [aged 41] by marriage Marchioness Atholl.

On 14th November 1724 John Murray 1st Duke Atholl [aged 64] died. His son James [aged 34] succeeded 2nd Duke Atholl, 3rd Marquess Atholl, 4th Earl Atholl, 5th Earl Tullibardine.

On 8th January 1764 James Murray 2nd Duke Atholl [aged 73] died. His nephew John [aged 34] succeeded 3rd Duke Atholl, 4th Marquess Atholl, 5th Earl Atholl, 6th Earl Tullibardine. Charlotte Murray Duchess Atholl [aged 32] by marriage Duchess Atholl. His daughter Charlotte succeeded 8th Baroness Strange Knockin.

On 5th November 1774 John Murray 3rd Duke Atholl [aged 45] died at Dunkeld. His son John [aged 19] succeeded 4th Duke Atholl, 5th Marquess Atholl, 6th Earl Atholl, 7th Earl Tullibardine.

On 29th September 1830 John Murray 4th Duke Atholl [aged 74] died. His son John [aged 52] succeeded 5th Duke Atholl, 6th Marquess Atholl, 7th Earl Atholl, 8th Earl Tullibardine, 10th Baron Strange Knockin.

On 14th September 1846 John Murray 5th Duke Atholl [aged 68] died at Greville Place St John's Wood. His nephew George [aged 31] succeeded 6th Duke Atholl, 7th Marquess Atholl, 8th Earl Atholl, 9th Earl Tullibardine, 11th Baron Strange Knockin.

On 16th January 1864 George Augustus Frederick Murray 6th Duke Atholl [aged 49] died. His son John [aged 23] succeeded 7th Duke Atholl, 8th Marquess Atholl, 9th Earl Atholl, 10th Earl Tullibardine, 12th Baron Strange Knockin, 3rd Baron Glenlyon of Glenlyon in Perthshire.

On 20th January 1917 John Murray aka Stewart-Murray 7th Duke of Atholl [aged 76] died. His son John [aged 45] succeeded 8th Duke Atholl, 9th Marquess Atholl, 10th Earl Atholl, 11th Earl Tullibardine, 7th Baron Percy, 13th Baron Strange Knockin, 4th Baron Glenlyon of Glenlyon in Perthshire.

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 16th March 1942 John Stewart-Murray 8th Duke of Atholl [aged 70] died. His brother James [aged 62] succeeded 9th Duke Atholl, 10th Marquess Atholl, 11th Earl Atholl, 12th Earl Tullibardine, 8th Baron Percy, 14th Baron Strange Knockin, 5th Baron Glenlyon of Glenlyon in Perthshire.

On 8th May 1957 James Stewart-Murray 9th Duke of Atholl [aged 77] died unmarried. His fourth cousin Iain [aged 25] succeeded 10th Duke Atholl, 11th Marquess Atholl, 12th Earl Atholl, 13th Earl Tullibardine, 6th Baron Glenlyon of Glenlyon in Perthshire. Baron Strange Knockin abeyant. His fourth cousin once removed Hugh [aged 43] succeeded 9th Baron Percy.

On 27th February 1996 Iain Murray 10th Duke of Atholl [aged 64] died. His first cousin once removed John [aged 67] succeeded 11th Duke Atholl, 12th Marquess Atholl, 13th Earl Atholl, 14th Earl Tullibardine, 7th Baron Glenlyon of Glenlyon in Perthshire. The day before the death of the 10th Duke, it was announced that he had given Blair Castle and most of his estates to a charitable trust, thus effectively disinheriting his heir. The new duke stated "I never harboured any aspirations to inherit the estate; I am happy that the land has gone into a charitable trust", "I have a simple lifestyle and will not make myself ridiculous with a title that does not fit my scene. It means nothing in South Africa, and it certainly means nothing to me here. I have Scottish blood in my veins, but no Scottish culture." and ""My life is here,... I respect and honour Scotland as the land of my origins, but I would never want to live there. I am a South African, not a Scotsman. My heart and my mind are in this country." Telegraph, 17 May 2012.

On 15th May 2012 John Murray 11th Duke of Atholl [aged 83] died. His son Bruce [aged 52] succeeded 12th Duke Atholl, 13th Marquess Atholl, 14th Earl Atholl, 15th Earl Tullibardine, 8th Baron Glenlyon of Glenlyon in Perthshire.