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: Vivian
On 21st January 1878 George Vivian 4th Baron Vivian was born to [his father] Hussey Vivian 3rd Baron Vivian (age 43) at Connaught Place, Bayswater.
On 24th April 1886 [his grandfather] Charles Vivian 2nd Baron Vivian (age 77) died. His son [his father] Hussey (age 51) succeeded 3rd Baron Vivian of Glynn and Truro in Cornwall, 3rd Baronet Vivian of Truro.
On 21st October 1893 [his father] Hussey Vivian 3rd Baron Vivian (age 59) died. His son George (age 15) succeeded 4th Baron Vivian of Glynn and Truro in Cornwall, 4th Baronet Vivian of Truro.
On 1st August 1903 George Vivian 4th Baron Vivian (age 25) and Barbara Cicely Fanning Baroness Vivian were married. She by marriage Baroness Vivian of Glynn and Truro in Cornwall.
On 11th July 1904 [his daughter] Daphne Vivian Marchioness Bath was born to George Vivian 4th Baron Vivian (age 26) and [his wife] Barbara Cicely Fanning Baroness Vivian at Westminster [Map]. She married (1) 27th October 1927 Henry Frederick Thynne 6th Marquess of Bath, son of Thomas Henry Thynne 5th Marquess of Bath and Violet Caroline Mordaunt Marchioness Bath, and had issue (2) 11th July 1953 Alexander Wallace Fielding.
On 4th March 1906 [his son] Anthony Vivian 5th Baron Vivian was born to George Vivian 4th Baron Vivian (age 28) and [his wife] Barbara Cicely Fanning Baroness Vivian. He married 8th March 1930 Victoria Oliphant Baroness Vivian and had issue.
In 1907 George Vivian 4th Baron Vivian (age 28) and Barbara Cicely Fanning Baroness Vivian were divorced. Divorce Court File: 8023. Appellant: George Crespigny Brabazon Vivian, Lord Vivian. Respondent: Barbara Cicely Vivian, Lady Vivian. Co-respondent: Alfred Curphey. Type: Husband's petition for divorce.
On 5th January 1911 George Vivian 4th Baron Vivian (age 32) and Nancy Lycett Green Baroness Vivian were married. She by marriage Baroness Vivian of Glynn and Truro in Cornwall.
On 16th June 1912 [his daughter] Ursula Vanda Maud Vivian was born to George Vivian 4th Baron Vivian (age 34) and [his wife] Nancy Lycett Green Baroness Vivian.
On 16th January 1915 [his son] Douglas David Edward Vivian was born to George Vivian 4th Baron Vivian (age 36) and [his wife] Nancy Lycett Green Baroness Vivian.
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 27th October 1927 [his son-in-law] Henry Frederick Thynne 6th Marquess of Bath (age 22) and [his daughter] Daphne Vivian Marchioness Bath (age 23) were married. He the son of Thomas Henry Thynne 5th Marquess of Bath (age 65) and Violet Caroline Mordaunt Marchioness Bath (age 58).
On 8th March 1930 [his son] Anthony Vivian 5th Baron Vivian (age 24) and [his daughter-in-law] Victoria Oliphant Baroness Vivian (age 22) were married.
On 28th December 1940 George Vivian 4th Baron Vivian (age 62) died. His son Anthony (age 34) succeeded 5th Baron Vivian of Glynn and Truro in Cornwall, 5th Baronet Vivian of Truro. [his daughter-in-law] Victoria Oliphant Baroness Vivian (age 33) by marriage Baroness Vivian of Glynn and Truro in Cornwall.
On 6th May 1970 [his former wife] Nancy Lycett Green Baroness Vivian died.
Great x 3 Grandfather: Reverend Thomas Vivian
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Vivian of Truro
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Hussey of Truro St Mary in Cornwall 
Great x 1 Grandfather: Hussey Vivian 1st Baron Vivian
Great x 3 Grandfather: Reverend Richard Cranch
Great x 2 Grandmother: Betsey Cranch
GrandFather: Charles Vivian 2nd Baron Vivian
Father: Hussey Vivian 3rd Baron Vivian