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: Clifford
Maternal Family Tree: Etienette Countess Provence and Arles
Before 1379 [her father] Thomas Clifford 6th Baron Clifford [aged 15] and [her mother] Elizabeth Ros Baroness Clifford were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Thomas Ros 4th Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 43] and [her grandmother] Beatrice Stafford Countess Desmond [aged 37]. They were third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King John of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
Around 1389 Maud Clifford Countess Cambridge was born to Thomas Clifford 6th Baron Clifford [aged 26] and Elizabeth Ros Baroness Clifford. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 13th July 1389 [her grandfather] Roger Clifford 5th Baron Clifford [aged 56] died at Brougham Castle [Map]. His son [her father] Thomas [aged 26] succeeded 6th Baron de Clifford. [her mother] Elizabeth Ros Baroness Clifford by marriage Baroness de Clifford.
In 1391 [her father] Thomas Clifford 6th Baron Clifford [aged 28] died. His son John [aged 2] succeeded 7th Baron de Clifford, 7th Lord Skipton. However, given his young age his mother's brother William Ros 6th Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 21] enjoyed the benefit of his wardship until he came of age around Sep 1411.
On 23rd December 1392 Isabella of Castile Duchess York [aged 37] died. She was buried at King's Langley Priory, Hertfordshire [Map]. She the wife of Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York [aged 51]. Isabella had travelled to England with her sister Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster [aged 38] who had married Edmund's elder brother John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 52]. Isabella and Edmund's marriage was not, apparently, a happy one. She is known to have had an affair with John Holland 1st Duke Exeter [aged 40] who may have been the father of [her future husband] Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge [aged 7] progenitor of the House of York.
On 5th November 1395 Elizabeth Latimer 5th Baroness Latimer, Baroness Neville and Willoughby [aged 38] died. Her son [her future husband] John [aged 13] succeeded 6th Baron Latimer of Corby.
Around 1404 [her brother] John Clifford 7th Baron Clifford [aged 15] and [her sister-in-law] Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland [aged 9] were married. She by marriage Baroness de Clifford. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In May 1406 [her future husband] Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge [aged 20] and Anne Mortimer [aged 15] were married. The marriage apparently took place in secret possibly because she was a descendant of King Edward III of England although she wasn't at the time Heir to the Throne of England although their issue would become so. She died five years later. The suspected false paternity has no effect on the claim of the House of York since it is Richard's wife Ann Mortimer who passes claim to her children. She the daughter of Roger Mortimer 4th Earl March 3rd Earl of Ulster and Eleanor Holland Countess March and Ulster. He the son of Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York and Isabella of Castile Duchess York. They were first cousin twice removed. He a grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Before 24th July 1406 John Neville 6th Baron Latimer of Corby [aged 24] and Maud Clifford Countess Cambridge [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Baroness Latimer of Corby. They were second cousin twice removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
After 21st September 1411 Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge [aged 26] and Maud Clifford Countess Cambridge [aged 22] were married. He the son of Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York and Isabella of Castile Duchess York. They were third cousin twice removed. He a grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
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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On 18th February 1413 Thomas Grey of Heton [aged 9] and [her step-daughter] Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex [aged 4] were married. She the daughter of [her husband] Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge [aged 27] and Anne Mortimer. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Before 1414 John Neville 6th Baron Latimer of Corby [aged 31] and Maud Clifford Countess Cambridge [aged 24] were divorced.
In 1414 [her husband] Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge [aged 28] was created 1st Earl Cambridge. Maud Clifford Countess Cambridge [aged 25] by marriage Countess Cambridge.
On 5th August 1415 two executions of those involved in the Southampton Plot took place at the North Gate aka Bargate [Map]:
[her husband] Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge [aged 30] was beheaded. His son [her step-son] Richard [aged 3] succeeded 2nd Earl Cambridge.
Henry Scrope 3rd Baron Scrope of Masham [aged 42] was beheaded. His brother John [aged 27] succeeded 4th Baron Scrope of Masham.
On 13th March 1422 [her brother] John Clifford 7th Baron Clifford [aged 33] died. His son [her nephew] Thomas [aged 7] succeeded 8th Baron de Clifford, 8th Lord Skipton.
On 21st October 1425 [her former brother-in-law] Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland [aged 61] died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Staindrop [Map]. His grandson Ralph [aged 19] succeeded 2nd Earl of Westmoreland. [her former sister-in-law] Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland [aged 30] by marriage Countess of Westmoreland.
Monument to Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland and his wives Margaret Stafford Baroness Neville Raby and Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland [aged 46]. Early Plate Bascinet Period. Orle. Man with Two Wives.
Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland: Around 1395 she was born to Henry "Hotspur" Percy and Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness Camoys at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland [Map]. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. Around 1404 John Clifford 7th Baron Clifford and she were married. She by marriage Baroness de Clifford. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. In 1426 Ralph Neville 2nd Earl of Westmoreland and she were married. They were second cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. On 26th October 1436 Elizabeth Percy Countess of Westmoreland died.
On 10th December 1430 [her former husband] John Neville 6th Baron Latimer of Corby [aged 48] died. His nephew John [aged 30] de jure 7th Baron Latimer of Corby.
On 26th August 1466 Maud Clifford Countess Cambridge [aged 77] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 14 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 6 Grand Daughter of King William I of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Clifford 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Clifford 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hawise Botreaux
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Vipont Lord Westmoreland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Vipont 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Fitzjohn 8 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Clifford 3rd Baron Clifford 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard de Clare 6th Earl Gloucester 5th Earl Hertford 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas de Clare 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Lacy Countess Gloucester and Hertford 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Maud Clare Baroness Clifford Baroness Welles 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Fitzgerald 4th Lord Offaly 
6 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 3 Grandmother: Juliana Fitzgerald 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Emmeline Longespée Baroness Offaly 
Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
GrandFather: Roger Clifford 5th Baron Clifford 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 5th Baron Berkeley 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Berkeley 6th and 1st Baron Berkeley Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Plantagenet Baroness Berkeley Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 7th and 2nd Baron Berkeley 2 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ferrers 5th Earl of Derby 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Ferrers Baroness Berkeley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Quincy Countess Derby 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King David I of Scotland
Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabel Berkeley Baroness Clifford Baroness Musgrave 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Zouche 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Eudo Zouche
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Bisset
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eva Zouche 9 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cantilupe 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Millicent Cantilupe 8 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eva de Braose 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Father: Thomas Clifford 6th Baron Clifford 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Beauchamp 
8 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Beauchamp 9th Earl Warwick 7 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Maudit 6 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 2 Grandfather: Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick 8 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzgeoffrey
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Fitzjohn Countess Warwick 8 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Bigod 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Tosny 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Tosny 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Bohun 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King David I of Scotland
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Tosny Countess Warwick 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandMother: Maud Beauchamp Baroness Clifford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Mortimer 1st Baron Mortimer of Wigmore 
Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Mortimer 2nd Baron Mortimer of Wigmore 2 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud de Braose 7 x Great Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 2 Grandfather: Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Fiennes 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Fiennes 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Beaumont 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Geoffrey Geneville 1st Baron Geneville 8 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandfather: Piers Geneville 9 x Great Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Lacy Baroness Geneville 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King David I of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh XII of Lusignan VII Count of La Marche III Count Angoulême 
4 x Great Grand Son of King David I of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jeanne Lusignan 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King David I of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jeanne Fougères Countess Lusignan Countess La Marche and Angoulême
Maud Clifford Countess Cambridge 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ros 
Grand Son of King William I of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Ros Great Grand Son of King William I of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Lucy Fitzpiers
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Ros 1st Baron Ros Helmsley 2 x Great Grand Son of King William I of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: William de Albini 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel de Albini 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley 3 x Great Grand Son of King William I of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Oliver Vaux 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Vaux
Great x 2 Grandmother: Maud Vaux Baroness Ros
GrandFather: Thomas Ros 4th Baron Ros Helmsley 4 x Great Grand Son of King William I of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gunselin Badlesmere 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Fitzbernard
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard de Clare 6th Earl Gloucester 5th Earl Hertford 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas de Clare 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Lacy Countess Gloucester and Hertford 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Clare Baroness Badlesmere 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Maurice Fitzgerald 4th Lord Offaly 6 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 3 Grandmother: Juliana Fitzgerald 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Emmeline Longespée Baroness Offaly Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Mother: Elizabeth Ros Baroness Clifford 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Stafford 
7 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 3 Grandfather: Nicholas Stafford 8 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Corbet
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edmund Stafford 1st Baron Stafford 9 x Great Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Clinton 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Clinton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ralph Stafford 1st Earl Stafford 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Basset 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Basset 1st Baron Basset Drayton 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Somery Baroness Basset Drayton 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Basset 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandMother: Beatrice Stafford Countess Desmond 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Audley 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh Audley 1st Baron Audley of Stratton Audley 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ela Longespée Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Mortimer 2nd Baron Mortimer of Wigmore 2 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Iseult Mortimer 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Fiennes 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Audley Countess Stafford Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard de Clare 6th Earl Gloucester 5th Earl Hertford 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gilbert "Red Earl" Clare 7th Earl Gloucester 6th Earl Hertford 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Lacy Countess Gloucester and Hertford 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Clare Countess Gloucester Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward I of England Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan of Acre Countess Gloucester and Hertford Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon