The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 1 Chapters 1-60 1307-1342
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel offer one of the most vivid and immediate accounts of 14th-century Europe, written by a knight who lived through the events he describes, and experienced some of them first hand. Covering the early decades of the Hundred Years’ War, this remarkable chronicle follows the campaigns of Edward III of England, the politics of France and the Low Countries, and the shifting alliances that shaped medieval warfare. Unlike later historians, Jean le Bel writes with a strong sense of eyewitness authenticity, drawing on personal experience and the testimony of fellow soldiers. His narrative captures not only battles and sieges, but also the realities of military life, diplomacy, and the ideals of chivalry that governed noble society. A key source for Jean Froissart, Le Bel’s chronicle stands on its own as a compelling and insightful work, at once historical record and literary achievement. This translation builds on the 1905 edition published in French by Jules Viard, adding extensive translations from other sources Rymer's Fœdera, the Chronicles of Adam Murimuth, William Nangis, Walter of Guisborough, a Bourgeois of Valenciennes, Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke and Richard Lescot to enrich the original text and Viard's notes.
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Paternal Family Tree: Essex
Sigeheard King of Essex was born to [his father] Sæbbi King of Essex.
In 664 Swithhelm King of Essex died. Sighere King of Essex succeeded King Essex. [his father] Sæbbi King of Essex (age 38) succeeded King Essex. They ruled jointly.
In 664 [his father] Sæbbi King of Essex (age 38) was appointed King Essex. He ruled jointly with his cousin Sighere King of Essex until 688 when Sighere King of Essex died after which he ruled solely.
Bede. 695. A stone coffin having been provided for burying [his father] his body (age 69), when they came to lay it in the same, they found his body a span longer than the coffin. Hereupon they hewed away the stone, and made the coffin about two fingers longer; but neither would it then contain the body. Under this difficulty of entombing him, they had thoughts either to get another coffin, or else to shorten the body, by bending it at the knees, if they could. But a wonderful event, caused by Providence, prevented the execution of either of those designs; for on a sudden, in the presence of the bishop, and Sighard, the son of the king who had turned monk, and who reigned after him jointly with his brother [his brother] Suefred, and of a considerable number of men, that same coffin was found to answer the length of the body, insomuch that a pillow might also be put in at the head; and at the feet the coffin was four fingers longer than the body. He was buried in the church of the blessed Apostle of the Gentiles [Map], by whose instructions he had learned to hope for heavenly things.
In 695 [his father] Sæbbi King of Essex (age 69) died. His son Sigeheard succeeded King Essex. His son [his brother] Swæfred succeeded King Essex. They ruled jointly.
In 709 [his brother] Swæfred King of Essex died. His second cousin once removed Offa succeeded King Essex.
In 709 Sigeheard King of Essex died. His second cousin once removed Offa succeeded King Essex.
[his son] Sebbi of Essex was born to Sigeheard King of Essex.
Great x 2 Grandfather: Sledd King of Essex
Great x 1 Grandfather: King Sæberht of Essex
Great x 2 Grandmother: Ricula of Kent
GrandFather: Sexred King of Essex
Father: Sæbbi King of Essex