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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In 1769 Charles Ewart was born.
On 18th June 1815, at the Battle of Waterloo, Charles Ewart (age 46) captured the Regimental Eagle of the 45e Régiment de Ligne. One of the most prized honours of the Scots Greys and, in commemoration of this, their cap badge shows the Eagle. The Eagle is now in Edinburgh Castle Museum. It is one of two Regimental Eagles captured during the Waterloo Campaign.
On 23rd March 1846 Charles Ewart (age 77) died. His body was buried in the New Jerusalem Chapel graveyard in Bolton Street, Salford. His memorial read "In Memory of Ensign Charles Ewart, who departed March 23, 1846, aged 77 years". The grave was paved over and forgotten for many years,
In 1938 the grave of Charles Ewart was uncovered, and his body was reburied by the Royal Scots Greys (as they were then titled) on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle; the Ensign Ewart Monument [Map].