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 1792 [her father] Lieutenant-Colonel Josiah Cottin [aged 21] and [her mother] Lavinia Chambers were married.
In 1794 Georgiana Cottin Baroness Tabley was born to Lieutenant-Colonel Josiah Cottin [aged 23] and Lavinia Chambers. Her god-parents were the Prince of Wales [aged 31] and Maria Anne Smythe aka "Mrs Fitzherbert" [aged 37].
On 9th November 1810 John Fleming Leicester 1st Baron Tabley [aged 48] and Georgiana Cottin Baroness Tabley [aged 16] were married. The difference in their ages was 31 years.
On 28th October 1811 [her son] George Leicester aka Warren 2nd Baron Tabley was born to [her husband] John Fleming Leicester 1st Baron Tabley [aged 49] and Georgiana Cottin Baroness Tabley [aged 17]. King George IV of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 49] was his godfather. He was educated at Eton College [Map] and Christ Church College, Oxford University.
Before 1825. William Owen [aged 55]. Portrait of Georgiana Cottin Baroness Tabley [aged 30].
Before 1825. William Owen [aged 55]. Portrait of Georgiana Cottin Baroness Tabley [aged 30].
On 16th July 1826 [her husband] John Fleming Leicester 1st Baron Tabley [aged 64] was created 1st Baron Tabley. Georgiana Cottin Baroness Tabley [aged 32] by marriage Baroness Tabley.
On 18th April 1827 [her husband] John Fleming Leicester 1st Baron Tabley [aged 65] died at Tabley House, Cheshire. His son George [aged 15] succeeded 2nd Baron Tabley, 6th Baronet Leicester of Timogue in Queen's County.
On 10th July 1828 Reverend Frederick Leicester [aged 25] and Georgiana Cottin Baroness Tabley [aged 34] were married. She the former wife of his uncle John Fleming Leicester 1st Baron Tabley who had died fifteen months before. As the Church of England prohibited aunt-nephew marriages, Frederick resigned from his post to avoid expulsion. The union forfeited £500 of Georgina's annual £1,500 widow's jointure.
Creevey Papers. [1st September 1828]. Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smythe Owen and I have lived in the most perfect harmony since 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, but other human being have I seen none, except the parson at church yesterday, whom I was in hopes to have seen more of. He is Mr. Leicester, nephew to the late Lord de Tabley. ... Having known his father in the days of my youth at Cambridge as by far the most ultra and impertinent dandy of his day, I was curious to see the son. It was precisely the same thing over again. This beautiful youth [[her husband] Reverend Frederick Leicester [aged 26]] (for such he is), aged 27, has been appointed by the Court of Chancery guardian to his nephew [Note. cousin] Lord de Tabley [aged 16], aged 16. About 6 weeks ago, he was married to his aunt Lady de Tabley [aged 34], who expects to be confined next month. I am sorry she is not [illegible] for this second marriage. On her part she forfeits £500 a year out of her jointure of £1500; and his diocesan, the Bishop of Lichfield, has given him notice he shall eject him from his living for marrying his aunt, which reduces his income to nothing. ..."
Before 1830. Thomas Lawrence [aged 60]. Portrait of Georgiana Cottin Baroness Tabley [aged 35] known as "Hope" aka "The Branch".
In March 1843 [her father] Lieutenant-Colonel Josiah Cottin [aged 72] died at Hampton Court Palace, Richmond [Map].
In 1859 Georgiana Cottin Baroness Tabley [aged 65] died.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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On 17th October 1861 [her former husband] Reverend Frederick Leicester [aged 59] and Amelia Susanna Campbell were married.
On 16th April 1873 [her former husband] Reverend Frederick Leicester [aged 70] died.
GrandFather: Alexander Cottin of Hertfordshire
Father: Lieutenant-Colonel Josiah Cottin
Georgiana Cottin Baroness Tabley
GrandFather: William Chambers
Mother: Lavinia Chambers