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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Fox of Farley
Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Whittle 1696
On 8th December 1651 [his father] Stephen Fox [aged 24] and [his mother] Elizabeth Whittle were married.
On 2nd January 1660 Charles Fox was born to Stephen Fox [aged 32] and Elizabeth Whittle in Brussels [Map]. His godfather was King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 29].
On 19th October 1669 Edward Fox [aged 6] died. He is buried with his brother John in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey [Map]. The grave is inscribed "Here lie interred two Children of the right Worshipful Sir Stephen Fox [aged 42] of Farley in the County of Wilts Knight, viz. Edward Fox, his fourth Son, aged six years and one month, who died on the nineteenth day of Octob. 1669. and John Fox his sixth son of the age of one year, who deceased upon the seventeenth day of Novemb. in the year of our Lord 1667.
Before 1675 [his brother-in-law] Charles Cornwallis 3rd Baron Cornwallis [aged 19] and [his sister] Elizabeth Fox Baroness Cornwallis were married at Westminster Abbey [Map]. She by marriage Baroness Cornwallis.
On 19th November 1677 James Fox [aged 12] died of smallpox; some sources say smallpos. He is bured in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey [Map]. His mural monument is inscribed: "Here lies buried, near the ashes of Edward, John, and Stephen, three brothers, the most distinguished young man James Fox, the fifth son of the most honorable Sir Stephen Fox [aged 50], Knight, and Elizabeth his wife, a son most worthy of his parents, and parents worthy of their son. He showed the highest piety, even as a boy, towards God; a unique devotion towards his parents; old-fashioned simplicity among all; a head most dear to Venus and Apollo, a true Adonis and Hyacinth, and by the gifts of his mind and body, a beloved of God now, once of men. O parents, take pity on parents. O children, imitate this son! O descendants, mourn your loss. Cultivated in various kinds of literature, he flourished with an admirable contrast. Under the boy lay hidden another man; in the cradle of life and in death, a Hercules, while snatched away by the treachery of measles, he seemed to have flown from the fire and painful tunic to the heavens. On the 13th day before the Calends of December, in the year of our Lord 1677, aged 12 and a half."
Hic infra situs est, juxta Edwardi, Johannis, & Stephani, trium fratrum cineres, selectissimus Adolescentulus Jacobus Fox, honoratissimi Domini Steph. Fox Equiti Aurati & Elizabethae uxoris, filius natu quintus, parentes filio & filius parentibus quam dignissimus. Summa pietate, vel puer quoad Deum; singulari studio erga parentes, prisca simplicitate inter omnes, percarum Veneri & Apollini caput, indubitatus Adonis & Hyacinthus necnon per dotes animi & corporis, nunc Dei olim hominum amasius. O parentes miseremini parentum. O filii ex illo transcribite filium! O posteri vestrum deflete damnum. Vario literaturae genere excultus admirandi sua floruit Antithesis. Sub puero vir delituit alter in vitae cunabulis & in morte Hercules, dum morbillorum perfidia sublatus, videatur ex igne & tunicâ molestâ evolasse ad coelos. A. D. 13. Cal. Decemb. Anno Dom. 1677. aetatis 12. cum semisse.
In 1679 Charles Fox [aged 18] and Elizabeth Carr Trollope [aged 18] were married. There was no issue from the marriage. She brought the Water Eaton estate, near Cricklade, and £6000 and/or £2000 each year to the marriage
On 17th April 1680 William Fox [aged 20] died. A mural monument survives in the north cloister of Westminster Abbey [Map] inscribed in Latin and translated as follows: "Near this place, among the ashes of their three brothers Edward, John and Stephen, sleep William and James Fox, sons of the Honorable Sir Stephen Fox [aged 53], Kt. and Elizabeth his wife. Parents and sons worthy each other, whom love made one in life, one distemper in death and one grave in burial. Each of them was embellished with useful learning, which their modesty seemed to conceal, and in their youth the man grew up with them. They were born for their country and to honours, which the eldest, being Captain in the army, acquired by his fatigues over all England. William died April 17, 1680 aged 20.
On 8th December 1680 Charles Fox [aged 20] was elected MP Eye in the interest of his brother-in-law Charles Cornwallis 3rd Baron Cornwallis [aged 24]. He appears to have been underage at the time.
On 28th February 1681 [his sister] Elizabeth Fox Baroness Cornwallis died.
In 1682 Charles Fox [aged 21] was appointed Paymaster General to the Forces which office he held solely until 1685.
On 26th May 1685 Charles Fox [aged 25] was elected MP Cricklade. He was re-elected in 1689, 1690 and 1695.
In 1690 Charles Fox [aged 29] was appointed Receiver-General and Paymaster which office he held until 1698.
This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Calendar of the State Papers of William and Mary 1693 March. 22nd March 1693. Kensington. Warrant to [the same] to grant to Thomas, Lord Coningsby, and Charles Fox [aged 33], receivers and paymasters-general in Ireland, sixpence in the pound on all moneys paid by them (provided it do not exceed the yearly sum of 6,250l.), in lieu of the allowances they at present receive for their fees and expenses. [Ibid.]
Calendar of the State Papers of William and Mary 1693 April. 6th April 1693. Whitehall. Proceedings upon the petition of Lieutenant-Colonel James Montaut. Shows that he was first captain in Colonel Du Cambon's regiment and could never have any account from his colonel of the money that was paid to the regiment, though it was often desired. He therefore prays that the said colonel be ordered to give him his accounts. ace to Charles Fox [aged 33], esq. [S.P. Dom. Petition Entry Book 1, p. 466.]
Calendar of the State Papers of William and Mary 1693 April. 28th April 1693. Whitehall. Proceedings upon the petition of Erasmus Trenshenberg. Shows that he was captain in Col. Groben's regiment in Ireland, and that there is due to him, thereupon, 977l. 18s. Referred to the Earl of Ranelagh and to Charles Fox [aged 33], esq., paymasters of their Majesties' forces, to examine the allegations contained. [S.P. Dom. Petition Entry Book 2, p. 318.]
On 11th August 1696 [his mother] Elizabeth Whittle died. She was buried at All Saints' Church, Farley where she has a monument:, an elegant aedicule, grey and white marbles. Corinthian columns supporting a curved pediment. Flaming urn and lamps connected by garlands over. Within, a curtained niche revealing swathed bust of Dame Elizabeth Fox, died 1696. Gadrooned base. Inscription in Latin on shaped apron, terminating in conjoined putti.
In 1698 Charles Fox [aged 37] was elected MP Salisbury. He was re-elected on 9th July 1701, in December 1701, 1702, 1705, 1708, 1710 and 31st August 1713 until his death on 21st September 1713.
In 1702 Charles Fox [aged 41] was appointed Paymaster General to the Forces which office he held jointly until 1705.
In March 1703 [his wife] Elizabeth Carr Trollope [aged 42] died.
On 11th July 1703 [his father] Stephen Fox [aged 76] and [his step-mother] Christiana Hope were married.
In 21st September 1713 Charles Fox [aged 53] died predeceasing his father. He was buried at All Saints' Church, Farley where he has a monument: marble aedicule, open segmental pediment on composite columns. Coloured arms in spandrel with garlands. Gadrooned base. Inscription in English in panel with reentrant corners with putti.
GrandFather: William Whittle of the City of London
Mother: Elizabeth Whittle
