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: Knightley
On 29th July 1575 Peter Coles (age 33) and [his mother] Elizabeth Schuckburgh (age 21) were married.
In or before 1580 [his father] Thomas Knightley (age 38) and [his mother] Elizabeth Schuckburgh (age 25) were married.
On 5th August 1593 Edward Knightley was born to [his father] Thomas Knightley (age 52) and [his mother] Elizabeth Schuckburgh (age 39).
On 22nd November 1621 [his father] Thomas Knightley (age 80) died in Llanbister Radnorshire, Powys. He was buried in St Cynllo's Church Llanbister Radnorshire, Powys.
On 9th September 1637 Richard Knightley (age 44) made his will:
£100 to the poor of the parish to be controlled by the Overseers of the Poor and Minister of the Church to purchase corn
that his trustee John CREW raise £2,500 from the rents and profits of his estates at Fawsley, Snorscombe, Charwelton, Byfield and Blakesley and purchase a £200 annuity for his kinsman Seymour KNIGHTLEY and a £100 annuity for Seymour's son Richard KNIGHTLEY for the rest of their lives
if his trustee cannot purchase the above annuities with the £2,500 then it should be divided; £1,666 13s 4d to Seymour KNIGHTLEY and £833 6s 8d to Seymour's son Richard KNIGHTLEY
all the furniture in her bedroom to his wife
£20 to his (step)sister Huett
£20 to his (step)sister DRYDEN
£20 to his (step)sister ELMES
£20 to his step-brother William BEVILL
£20 to his cousin Richard TRIST the elder
£100 to his uncle Edward KNIGHTLEY (age 44). [Note. A half-uncle on this mother's side.]
£100 to his uncle Robert KNIGHTLEY (age 48).
£100 to his servant Robert HAMBLEDON
£50 to Valentine ACTON
£50 each to his servants Edward PETER and William LANCASTER
£40 to his cook Alban SMITH
£40 to all his other servants if they have been with him for at least 7 years
£10 minimum to all his other servants
a Bible and Crookes Guide to Blessedness to all his godchildren
his estate at Great Preston to his (step)sister Grace ELMES
£20 each to John CREW and Richard HAMPDEN of Hampden, Bucks as overseers of his will
the residue to Richard KNIGHTLEY, son of Thomas KNIGHTLEY, whom he also named as sole executor of his estate
Executor
Overseer of the will of John SMITH on 31 Aug 1636
Overseer of the will of George WEBB on 20 May 1637, receiving 2s 6d
Calendar of State Papers Charles II Feb 1662. 28th February 1662. Grant to Major Edward Knightley [possibly Edward Knightley (age 68)] of pardon for being engaged in a quarrel near Dunkirk wherein William [Thos.] Carleton was slain. [Ent. Books 5, p. 183; and 48, p. 1.]
Calendar of State Papers Charles II Feb 1662. 28th February 1662. The King to Lord Rutherford. Has pardoned Capt. Francis Bromwich for his engaging in the unhappy quarrel near Dunkirk, in which Thos. Carleton was slain. Requests that he be continued in command of his foot company as before. With note of similar letters on behalf of Major Edw. Knightley [possibly Edward Knightley (age 68)]. [Ent. Book 2, pp.18,19.]
Calendar of State Papers Charles II Feb 1662. 28th February 1662. Commission for Edw. Knightley [possibly Edward Knightley (age 68)] to be Major of Lord Rutherford's regiment in Dunkirk. Minute. [Ent. Book 2, p. 19.]
On 20th May 1674 Edward Knightley (age 80) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 10 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 14 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 16 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 3 Grandfather: Richard Knightley 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Knightley
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Knightley
GrandFather: Valentine Knightley
Father: Thomas Knightley 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ferrers 5th Baron Ferrers of Groby 
4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Ferrers 5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Clifford 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Ferrers 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baldwin Freville
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Freville
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Ferrers 7 x Great Grand Son of
GrandMother: Anne Ferrers 8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Edward Knightley 10 x Great Grand Son of
Mother: Elizabeth Schuckburgh