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: Badlesmete
Maternal Family Tree: Emmeline Riddlesford 1223 1276
In 1303 Gilbert Umfraville and [her mother] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere [aged 15] were married. He the son of Gilbert Umfraville 7th Earl Angus [aged 58] and Elisabetha Comyn. They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
After 13th June 1308 Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley was born to Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere [aged 32] and Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere [aged 21]. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 30th June 1308 [her father] Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere [aged 32] and [her mother] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere [aged 21] were married.
In 1309 [her father] Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere [aged 33] was created 1st Baron Badlesmere. [her mother] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere [aged 21] by marriage Baroness Badlesmere.
On 27th June 1316 [her brother-in-law] Edmund Mortimer [aged 13] and [her sister] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton [aged 3] were married at Kinlet, Cleobury Mortimer [Map]. He the son of Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March [aged 29] and Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville [aged 30]. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King John of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 25th July 1316 [her brother-in-law] Robert Fitzpayn 3rd Baron Fitzpayn [aged 16] and [her sister] Maud Badlesmere Countess of Oxford [aged 8] were married.
On 6th August 1316 William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 61] died. He was buried at Kirkham Priory North Yorkshire [Map]. His son [her future husband] William [aged 31] succeeded 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map].
Before 25th November 1316 William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 31] and Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley [aged 8] were married. She by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley. The difference in their ages was 23 years.
On 27th May 1320 Bishop Henry Burghesh [aged 28] was appointed Bishop of Lincoln due to the influence of his uncle [her father] Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere [aged 44] despite the chapter having already elected a new bishop.
Jean de Waurin's Chronicle of England Volume 6 Books 3-6: The Wars of the Roses
Jean de Waurin was a French Chronicler, from the Artois region, who was born around 1400, and died around 1474. Waurin’s Chronicle of England, Volume 6, covering the period 1450 to 1471, from which we have selected and translated Chapters relating to the Wars of the Roses, provides a vivid, original, contemporary description of key events some of which he witnessed first-hand, some of which he was told by the key people involved with whom Waurin had a personal relationship.
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In 1321 Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley [aged 12] was imprisoned at Tower of London [Map].
On 13th October 1321 Isabella of France Queen Consort England [aged 26] was returning from Canterbury, Kent [Map] to London. She sought accommodation at Leeds Castle, Kent [Map] which was under the protection of [her mother] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere [aged 34] the wife of [her father] Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere [aged 46]. Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere refused entry to the Queen killing around six of her retinue when they tried to force entry. King Edward II of England [aged 37] commenced the Siege of Leeds Castle. Once King Edward II of England gained possession of the castle, he had the garrison hanged from the battlements. His wife Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere, her five children (Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley [aged 13], [her sister] Maud Badlesmere Countess of Oxford [aged 13], Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton [aged 8], Giles Badlesmere 2nd Baron Badlesmere [aged 6] and Margaret Badlesmere Baroness Tibetot [aged 6]), and her nephew Bartholomew "The Elder" Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh [aged 34], were imprisoned in the Tower of London [Map].
On 16th March 1322 the rebel army led by Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln [aged 44] attempted to cross the bridge over the River Ure (between Ripon and York) at Boroughbridge Bridge [Map]. Their path was blocked by forces loyal to the King led by Andrew Harclay 1st Earl Carlisle [aged 52]. [her father] Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere [aged 46], Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March [aged 34], John Botetort 1st Baron Botetort [aged 57] and John Maltravers 1st Baron Maltravers [aged 32] fought for the rebels. Roger Clifford 2nd Baron Clifford [aged 22], Nicholas Longford [aged 37], Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln, John Mowbray 2nd Baron Mowbray [aged 35] were captured.
Warin Lisle [aged 51] was hanged after the battle at Pontefract [Map].
Following the battle Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester [aged 31] and his wife Margaret Clare Countess Gloucester were both imprisoned. He in Nottingham Castle [Map] and she in Sempringham Priory [Map].
John Clinton 2nd Baron Clinton [aged 22], Ralph Greystoke 1st Baron Greystoke [aged 22], William Latimer 2nd Baron Latimer of Corby [aged 46], Robert Lisle 1st Baron Lisle [aged 34], Domhnall Mar II Earl of Mar [aged 29] and Peter Saltmarsh [aged 42] fought for the King.
Adam Everingham 1st Baron Everingham of Laxton [aged 43] was captured.
Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex [aged 46] was killed. His son John [aged 15] succeeded 5th Earl Hereford, 4th Earl Essex.
Piers Grandison 2nd Baron Grandison [aged 31] fough for the rebels, and was captured.
Hugh Audley 1st Baron Audley of Stratton Audley [aged 55] surrendered before the battle and was imprisoned in Wallingford Castle [Map] for the rest of his life
John Giffard 2nd Baron Giffard Brimpsfield [aged 34] was captured.
Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March was imprisoned at Tower of London [Map].
On 14th April 1322 [her father] Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere [aged 46] was tried by Henry Cobham 1st Baron Cobham [aged 62] at Canterbury, Kent [Map].
Sentenced to death Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere was drawn for three miles behind a horse to Blean, Canterbury, where he held property, where he was beheaded. His head was displayed on the Burgh Gate, Canterbury and the rest of his body left hanging at Blean, Canterbury. He was buried at Whitefriars. His nephew Henry Burghesh's [aged 30] lands were also seized. These were restored around 1326.
Around 1323 [her daughter] Margaret Ros was born to [her husband] William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 38] and Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley [aged 14] in Helmsley [Map]. She married 27th January 1332 her fourth cousin once removed Edward Bohun, son of Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland.
Around 1328 [her brother] Giles Badlesmere 2nd Baron Badlesmere [aged 13] and [her sister-in-law] Elizabeth Montagu Baroness Badlesmere and Despencer [aged 4] were married. She the daughter of William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury [aged 27] and Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury [aged 24].
In 1328 [her brother] Giles Badlesmere 2nd Baron Badlesmere [aged 13] attainder reversed 2nd Baron Badlesmere. [her sister-in-law] Elizabeth Montagu Baroness Badlesmere and Despencer [aged 4] by marriage Baroness Badlesmere.
On 19th May 1329 [her son] William Ros 3rd Baron Ros Helmsley was born to [her husband] William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 44] and Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley [aged 20]. He married his fourth cousin once removed Margaret Neville, daughter of Ralph Neville 2nd Baron Neville of Raby and Alice Audley Baroness Greystoke and Neville.
Before 15th October 1331 [her son-in-law] Nicholas Meinhill [aged 28] and [her daughter] Alice Ros were married.
On 27th January 1332 [her son-in-law] Edward Bohun [aged 22] and [her daughter] Margaret Ros [aged 9] were married. He the son of Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland. They were fourth cousin once removed. He a grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 22nd October 1333 [her mother] Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere [aged 46] died.
Before 16th July 1334 [her son-in-law] William Zouche 2nd Baron Zouche Harringworth [aged 12] and [her daughter] Elizabeth Ros Baroness Zouche Harringworth were married. They were second cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
In 1335 [her brother-in-law] William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton [aged 25] and [her sister] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton [aged 22] were married. He the son of Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex and Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland. They were fourth cousins. He a grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 13th January 1335 [her son] Thomas Ros 4th Baron Ros Helmsley was born to [her husband] William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 50] and Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley [aged 26]. He married 12th April 1363 his third cousin Beatrice Stafford Countess Desmond, daughter of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford and Margaret Audley Countess Stafford, and had issue.
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.
In 1336 [her brother-in-law] John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford [aged 23] and [her sister] Maud Badlesmere Countess of Oxford [aged 27] were married. She by marriage Countess of Oxford. They were third cousin twice removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 7th June 1338 [her brother] Giles Badlesmere 2nd Baron Badlesmere [aged 23] died. Baron Badlesmere abeyant between his sisters Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley [aged 29], Maud Badlesmere Countess of Oxford [aged 29], Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton [aged 25] and Margaret Badlesmere Baroness Tibetot [aged 23].
Calendar Inquitisitions Port Mortem Volume 8 Edward III 185. 185. [her brother] Giles De Badelesmere [deceased], Knight.
Writ to Henry Darcy, mayor of the city of London, and king's escheator there, 16 July [1338], 12 Edward III.
London.
Inq. Friday before St. Bartholomew, 12 Edward III.
Alegate. A tenement, 17 shops, and a garden adjacent, within Alegate, worth when let 9l.; out of which there are paid yearly to the lords of that fee for quit rent, 56s. 4d., and for repairs, 40s.
Lymstret lane. A tenement and a garden, worth 40s., out of which are paid yearly for repair of houses and walls and for enclosing of the said tenement and garden, 20s.
All held of the king in chief, as the whole of the city of London is.
Margery [aged 30] the wife of Sir [her husband] William de Ros [aged 53], Maud [aged 30] the wife of the earl of Oxford [aged 26], Elizabeth [aged 25] the wife of the earl of Northampton [aged 28], and Margery [aged 23] (sic) the wife of Sir John Tipetoft [aged 24], are his sisters and co-heirs, and of full age.
John Tiptoft 2nd Baron Tibetot.
Continues.
In 1341 [her daughter] Margaret Ros [aged 18] died in Musgrave.
On 3rd February 1343 [her husband] William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 58] died. He was buried at Kirkham Priory North Yorkshire [Map]. His son William [aged 13] succeeded 3rd Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map]. Margaret Neville [aged 13] by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley.
Around 1345 [her son-in-law] John Welles 4th Baron Welles [aged 10] and [her daughter] Maud Ros Baroness Welles were married. She by marriage Baroness Welles.
On 3rd December 1351 [her son] William Ros 3rd Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 22] died. His brother Thomas [aged 16] succeeded 4th Baron Ros Helmsley and inherited Belvoir Castle [Map]. Beatrice Stafford Countess Desmond [aged 10] by marriage Baroness Ros Helmsley.
On 18th June 1356 [her sister] Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton [aged 43] died at Blackfriars Church Holborn.
On 12th April 1363 [her son] Thomas Ros 4th Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 28] and [her daughter-in-law] Beatrice Stafford Countess Desmond [aged 22] were married. She the daughter of Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford [aged 61] and Margaret Audley Countess Stafford. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 18th October 1363 Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley [aged 55] died.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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[her daughter] Maud Ros Baroness Welles was born to William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley and Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley. She married 1345 John Welles 4th Baron Welles, son of Adam Welles 3rd Baron Welles and Margaret Bardolf Baroness Welles, and had issue.
[her daughter] Elizabeth Ros Baroness Zouche Harringworth was born to William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley and Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley. She married before 16th July 1334 her second cousin once removed William Zouche 2nd Baron Zouche Harringworth and had issue.
[her daughter] Milicent Ros was born to William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley and Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley.
[her daughter] Alice Ros was born to William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley and Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley. She married before 15th October 1331 Nicholas Meinhill and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 7 Grand Daughter of King Malcolm III of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
GrandFather: Gunselin Badlesmere 
Father: Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere
GrandMother: Joan Fitzbernard
Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Clare 2nd Earl Hertford 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Clare 3rd Earl Hertford
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud St Hilary Countess Hertford
Great x 2 Grandfather: Gilbert Clare 5th Earl Gloucester 4th Earl Hertford 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Fitzrobert 2nd Earl Gloucester Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Amice Fitzrobert Countess Hertford Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hawise Beaumont Countess Gloucester 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard de Clare 6th Earl Gloucester 5th Earl Hertford 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzgilbert 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sybil of Salisbury
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabel Marshal Countess Cornwall, Gloucester and Hertford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard "Strongbow" Clare 2nd Earl Pembroke 4 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Clare Countess Pembroke 5 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Aoife ni Diarmait Macmurrough Countess Pembroke and Buckingham
GrandFather: Thomas de Clare 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzrichard 6th Baron Halton 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Lacy 6th Baron Pontefract 7th Baron Halton 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Essex
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Lacy Earl Lincoln 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Clere Baroness Lacy Baroness Warkworth 
Great x 1 Grandmother: Maud Lacy Countess Gloucester and Hertford 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Saer Quincy 1st Earl Winchester 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Quincy Earl Lincoln 6 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Beaumont Countess Winchester 5 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Quincy 3rd Countess Lincoln and Pembroke 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh de Kevelioc Gernon 5th Earl Chester Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Hawise Gernon 2nd Countess Lincoln 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Bertrade Montfort Countess Chester
Mother: Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Fitzgerald 
3 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gerald Fitzgerald 1st Lord Offaly 4 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 2 Grandfather: Maurice Fitzgerald 2nd Lord Offaly 5 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert de Bermingham 1st Baron of Athenry
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eve Bermingham
Great x 1 Grandfather: Maurice Fitzgerald 4th Lord Offaly 6 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 2 Grandmother: Juliana Granville Baroness Offaly 
GrandMother: Juliana Fitzgerald 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England 
Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Longespée Earl Salisbury Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 2 Grandfather: Stephen Longespée Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William of Salisbury 2nd Earl Salisbury 5 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandmother: Ela of Salisbury 3rd Countess of Salisbury 6 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Vitre Countess of Salisbury
Great x 1 Grandmother: Emmeline Longespée Baroness Offaly Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Riddlesford
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Riddlesford
Great x 2 Grandmother: Emmeline Riddlesford