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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On 4th March 1519 Adrian Stokes was born.
In 1533 Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 16] and [his future wife] Frances Brandon Duchess of Suffolk [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Marchioness Dorset. She the daughter of Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 49] and Mary Tudor Queen Consort France [aged 36]. He the son of Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset and Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset [aged 46]. They were half second cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 25th June 1533 Mary Tudor Queen Consort France [aged 37] died at Westhorpe, Suffolk [Map]. She was buried at the monastery of St. Edmondsbury [Map] on 22nd July 1533. Her daughter [his future wife] Frances [aged 15] was Chief Mourner.
In 1546 Adrian Stokes [aged 26] was appointed Master of Newhaven.
On 1st March 1555 Adrian Stokes [aged 35] and Frances Brandon Duchess of Suffolk [aged 37] were married. They had three children, two of which were stillborn, one of which died in their first year. She the daughter of Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk and Mary Tudor Queen Consort France.
In 1559 Adrian Stokes [aged 39] was elected Knight of the Shire Leicestershire.
On 5th December 1559 Frances Brandon Duchess of Suffolk [deceased] was buried in St Edmund's Chapel in Westminster Abbey [Map] at a ceremony conducted by Bishop John Jewel [aged 37]. Her daughter Catherine Grey Countess Hertford [aged 19] was Chief Mourner. Mary Grey [aged 14] was present. Her effigy, possibly designed by Cornelius Cure, was paid for by her husband Adrian Stokes [aged 40]: recumbent effigy dressed in Ermine robes signifying she was a duchess with a pendant around her neck. She lies on mattress with a lion at her feet and her coronet has been repaired and gilded.
The inscription on her grave reads in Latin:
Nor grace, nor splendor, nor a royal name,
Nor widespread fame can aught avail;
All, all have vanished here.
True worth alone Survives the funeral pyre and silent tomb.
And...
Dirge for the most noble Lady Frances, onetime Duchess of Suffolk: naught avails glory or splendour, naught avail titles of kings; naught profits a magnificent abode, resplendent with wealth. All, all are passed away: the glory of virtue alone remained, impervious to the funeral pyres of Tartarus [part of Hades or the Underworld]. She was married first to the Duke, and after was wife to Mr Stock, Esq. Now, in death, may you fare well, united to God.
And continues...
Here lieth the ladie Francis, Duches of Southfolke, daughter to Charles Brandon, Duke of Southfolke, and Marie the Frenche Quene: first wife to Henrie Duke of Southfolke and after to Adrian Stock Esquier.
oN 20th November 1559 or 21st November 1559 [his wife] Frances Brandon Duchess of Suffolk [aged 42] died at Richmond, Surrey [Map].
Before 16th April 1565 Nicholas Throckmorton [aged 50] and [his future wife] Anne Carew [aged 45] were married. They were half fifth cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1571 Adrian Stokes [aged 51] was elected Knight of the Shire Leicestershire.
In 1572 Adrian Stokes [aged 52] and Anne Carew [aged 52] were married. Her second marriage having previously been married to Nicholas Throckmorton.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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On 30th November 1586 Adrian Stokes [aged 67] died.
On 24th November 1587 [his former wife] Anne Carew [aged 67] died.