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: Fitzwilliam
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Watson Wentworth Countess Fitzwilliam 1769
On 22nd June 1744 [his father] William Fitzwilliam 1st and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 24] and [his mother] Anne Watson Wentworth Countess Fitzwilliam were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square. She by marriage Countess Fitzwilliam, Baroness Fitzwilliam of Liffer in Donegal. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Thomas Watson 1st Marquess Rockingham [aged 50]. He the son of John Fitzwilliam 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam and Anne Stringer.
On 30th May 1748 William Fitzwilliam 4th and 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam was born to William Fitzwilliam 1st and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 28] and Anne Watson Wentworth Countess Fitzwilliam.
On 10th August 1756 [his father] William Fitzwilliam 1st and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 36] died. His son William [aged 8] succeeded 4th Earl Fitzwilliam, 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam, 6th Baron Fitzwilliam of Liffer in Donegal. [his future wife] Charlotte Ponsonby Countess Fitzwilliam by marriage Countess Fitzwilliam.
On 24th May 1764 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Dundas 1st Baron Dundas [aged 23] and [his sister] Charlotte Fitzwilliam Baroness Dundas [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of [his father] William Fitzwilliam 1st and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam and [his mother] Anne Watson Wentworth Countess Fitzwilliam.
In 1769 William Ponsonby 1st Baron Ponsonby of Imokilly in County Cork [aged 24] and [his future wife] Louisa Molesworth Countess Fitzwilliam [aged 20] were married.
In 1769 [his mother] Anne Watson Wentworth Countess Fitzwilliam died.
In 1770 William Fitzwilliam 4th and 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 21] and Charlotte Ponsonby Countess Fitzwilliam were married. She the daughter of William Ponsonby 2nd Earl Bessborough [aged 66] and Caroline Cavendish Countess Bessborough. He the son of William Fitzwilliam 1st and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam and Anne Watson Wentworth Countess Fitzwilliam.
On 27th November 1780 [his brother-in-law] Frederick Ponsonby 3rd Earl Bessborough [aged 22] and Henrietta Frances Spencer Countess Bessborough [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Countess Bessborough. She the daughter of John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer [aged 45] and Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer [aged 43]. He the son of [his father-in-law] William Ponsonby 2nd Earl Bessborough [aged 76] and Caroline Cavendish Countess Bessborough. They were fifth cousins.
On 21st April 1781 Thomas Laurence Dundas 1st Baronet [aged 71] died. His son [his brother-in-law] Thomas [aged 40] succeeded 2nd Baronet Dundas of Kerse also inheriting Aske Hall North Yorkshire. [his sister] Charlotte Fitzwilliam Baroness Dundas [aged 34] by marriage Lady Dundas of Kerse.
On 4th May 1786 [his son] Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam 5th and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam was born to William Fitzwilliam 4th and 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 37] and [his wife] Charlotte Ponsonby Countess Fitzwilliam. He married before 1807 his first cousin Mary Dundas, daughter of Thomas Dundas 1st Baron Dundas and Charlotte Fitzwilliam Baroness Dundas, and had issue.
On 10th February 1787 George Beauclerk 4th Duke St Albans [aged 28] died unmarried and without issue. His first cousin once removed Aubrey [aged 46] succeeded 5th Duke St Albans, 5th Earl Burford, 5th Baron Heddington. [his sister-in-law] Catherine Ponsonby Duchess St Albans [aged 44] by marriage Duchess St Albans.
On 4th September 1789 [his sister-in-law] Catherine Ponsonby Duchess St Albans [aged 46] died.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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On 11th March 1793 [his father-in-law] William Ponsonby 2nd Earl Bessborough [aged 89] died. His son [his brother-in-law] Frederick [aged 35] succeeded 3rd Earl Bessborough, 4th Viscount Duncannon of Duncannon in Wexford, 4th Baron Bessborough of Bessborough in Kilkenny.
In August 1794 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Dundas 1st Baron Dundas [aged 53] was created 1st Baron Dundas. [his sister] Charlotte Fitzwilliam Baroness Dundas [aged 48] by marriage Baroness Dundas.
On 13th March 1806 William Ponsonby 1st Baron Ponsonby of Imokilly in County Cork [aged 61] was created 1st Baron Ponsonby of Imokilly in County Cork. [his future wife] Louisa Molesworth Countess Fitzwilliam [aged 57] by marriage Baroness Ponsonby of Imokilly in County Cork.
Before 1807 Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam 5th and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 20] and Mary Dundas [aged 19] were married. He the son of William Fitzwilliam 4th and 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 58] and Charlotte Ponsonby Countess Fitzwilliam. They were first cousins.
In 1807 Charles Winn-Allanson 2nd Baron Headley [aged 22] was elected MP Malton against the interest of William Fitzwilliam 4th and 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 58]. However, FitzWilliam and his supporters managed to obtain evidence of corruption and had Headley unseated on petition in 1808.
In 1822 [his wife] Charlotte Ponsonby Countess Fitzwilliam died.
After 1822 William Fitzwilliam 4th and 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 73] and Louisa Molesworth Countess Fitzwilliam [aged 73] were married. She by marriage Countess Fitzwilliam. He the son of William Fitzwilliam 1st and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam and Anne Watson Wentworth Countess Fitzwilliam.
In 1824 [his wife] Louisa Molesworth Countess Fitzwilliam [aged 75] died.
On 8th February 1833 William Fitzwilliam 4th and 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 84] died. His son Charles [aged 46] succeeded 5th Earl Fitzwilliam, 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam, 7th Baron Fitzwilliam of Liffer in Donegal.
Kings Wessex: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 24 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 28 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 23 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Fitzwilliam 
11 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Fitzwilliam 1st Baron Fitzwilliam 12 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Fitzwilliam 2nd Baron Fitzwilliam 13 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Fitzwilliam 1st Earl Fitzwilliam 14 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandFather: John Fitzwilliam 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam 15 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edmund Cremor
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Cremor
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Tryce
Father: William Fitzwilliam 1st and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam 16 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandMother: Anne Stringer
William Fitzwilliam 4th and 2nd Earl Fitzwilliam 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Watson of Rockingham Castle 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Lewis Watson 1st Baron Rockingham
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Digby 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Watson 2nd Baron Rockingham 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Manners 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Manners Baroness Rockingham 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Grace Pierrepont 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Watson 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Wentworth 1st Baronet 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Atkins Baroness Wentworth Woodhouse
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Wentworth Baroness Rockingham 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Holles 1st Earl de Clare 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Arabella Holles 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Stanhope Countess de Clare 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Thomas Watson 1st Marquess Rockingham 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Mother: Anne Watson Wentworth Countess Fitzwilliam 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England