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: Montagu
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Pakenham 1485-1544
In 1557 [his father] Edward Montagu (age 27) and [his mother] Elizabeth Harrington (age 12) were married.
Around 1564 Charles Montagu was born to [his father] Edward Montagu (age 34) and [his mother] Elizabeth Harrington (age 19).
On 21st September 1585 [his brother] Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 22) and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Jeffrey (age 17) were married at Weekley, Northamptonshire.
Before 1599 Thomas Malby of London and [his future wife] Letice Clifford (age 28) were married.
Before 1600 John Rotherham of Semers in Buckinghamshire and [his future wife] Letice Clifford (age 29) were married.
In 1601 Charles Montagu (age 37) and Letice Clifford (age 31) were married.
On 1st June 1601 [his brother] Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (age 38) and [his sister-in-law] Catherine Spencer (age 15) were married. The difference in their ages was 23 years.
On 26th January 1602 [his father] Edward Montagu (age 72) died at Brigstock, Boughton.
On 29th March 1608 [his brother] Bishop James Montagu (age 40) was elected Bishop of Bath and Wells.
On 14th May 1608 [his brother] Bishop James Montagu (age 40) was enthroned Bishop of Bath and Wells at Wells Cathedral [Map].
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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On 29th August 1611 [his wife] Letice Clifford (age 41) died. She was buried at All Saints Church, Barnwell [Map].
In 1612 Charles Montagu (age 48) and Mary Whitmore (age 37) were married.
In or after 1612 [his daughter] Elizabeth Montagu Baroness Hatton was born to Charles Montagu (age 48) and [his wife] Mary Whitmore (age 37). She married 8th May 1630 Christopher Hatton 1st Baron Hatton and had issue.
In or after 1612 [his daughter] Anne Montagu Baroness North was born to Charles Montagu (age 48) and [his wife] Mary Whitmore (age 37). She married before 1636 Dudley North 4th Baron North, son of Dudley North 3rd Baron North and Frances Brocket, and had issue.
On 24th February 1612 [his brother] Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 49) and [his sister-in-law] Frances Cotton (age 34) were married at Weekley, Northamptonshire.
On 9th November 1613 [his brother] Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (age 50) and [his sister-in-law] Anne Wincot (age 60) were married.
In 1614 Charles Montagu (age 50) was elected MP Harwich.
In 1615 [his daughter] Mary Montagu was born to Charles Montagu (age 51) and [his wife] Mary Whitmore (age 40). She married Edward Bash.
In 1616 [his brother] Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (age 53) was appointed Chief Justice of the King's Bench.
On 3rd July 1616 [his brother] Bishop James Montagu (age 48) was translated to Bishop of Winchester.
On 19th May 1618 [his mother] Elizabeth Harrington (age 73) died.
On 20th July 1618 [his brother] Bishop James Montagu (age 50) died. He was buried at Bath Abbey [Map].
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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In 1620 [his brother] Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (age 57) was created 1st Viscount Mandeville, 1st Baron Montagu of Kimbolton.
In 1620 [his brother] Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (age 57) was appointed Lord Treasurer.
On 26th April 1620 [his brother] Henry Montagu 1st Earl Manchester (age 57) and [his sister-in-law] Margaret Crouch Countess Manchester (age 15) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Mandeville. The difference in their ages was 42 years.
In 1621 Charles Montagu (age 57) was elected MP Higham Ferrers.
In 1624 Charles Montagu (age 60) was elected MP Higham Ferrers.
In 1625 Charles Montagu (age 61) was elected MP Higham Ferrers.
On 16th February 1625 [his brother] Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu (age 62) and [his sister-in-law] Anne Crouch Baroness Montagu (age 52) were married. She by marriage Baroness Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire.
On 11th September 1625 Charles Montagu (age 61) died at Barking, Essex. He was buried in Church of St Margaret of Antioch, Barking [Map].
On 3rd July 1652 [his former wife] Mary Whitmore (age 77) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 21 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 23 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 21 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 13 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 
3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Montagu 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Christina Basset 
10 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Ladde Montagu 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Holcot
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 6 x Great Grand Son of
GrandFather: Edward Montagu 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Dudley 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Dudley
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Dudley
Great x 1 Grandmother: Agnes Dudley
Father: Edward Montagu 8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Roper 
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Roper
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Roper of Well Hall
GrandMother: Helen Roper
Charles Montagu 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Harrington 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Harrington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Culpepper 
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Harrington
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Alexander Harrington
GrandFather: James Harrington
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Moton of Peckleton in Leicestershire
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Moton
Mother: Elizabeth Harrington
Great x 3 Grandfather: William IV Sidney 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Nicholas Sidney
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Sidney
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Brandon 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Brandon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ada Calthorpe 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Brandon
GrandMother: Lucy Sidney
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Pakenham
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh Pakenham
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Pakenham