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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St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale is in Sutton Scarsdale, Derbyshire [Map], Churches in Derbyshire.
St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
Interior of St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
Before 1400. St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map]. Elaborate grave slabs to unknown persons.
Floor slab at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map] to an unknown member of the Foljambe family, as identified by 1. 
Foljambe Arms, 2. the Foljambe Crest of a crooked leg with a spur, and 3. the feet resting on a 'Chatloup' aka 'Calopus' i.e. a monster with a wolf's body. a cat's face and goat's horns. The armour of the fluted period i.e. 1460-1530. In 1490 Godfrey Foljambe [aged 17] and Catherine Leeke [aged 14] were married - she the daughter of John Leke [aged 36] who was Lord of the manor of Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Derbyshire [Map]. The floor slab may be for one of their children who died before reaching adulthood; possibly John Foljambe.
Godfrey Foljambe: On 27th March 1472 he was born to Henry Foljambe and Benedicta Vernon. In 1490 Godfrey Foljambe and Catherine Leeke were married. On 20th December 1541 Godfrey Foljambe died. He was buried at Chesterfield, Derbyshire [Map].
Catherine Leeke: In 1476 she was born to John Leke and Elizabeth Savage. On 24th May 1529 Catherine Leeke died at Chesterfield, Derbyshire [Map].
St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map]. Graves of Richard Redfearne died 25th February 1654 and Joan Redfearne died 10th January 1648.
St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map]. Grave of Thomas Freeman who died 4th October 1684; the spelling of October as 8ber. And Eliz: Freeman his wife who died 3rd of Jan 1713.
On 1st September 1707 Samuel Pierrepoint [aged 56] died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
Samuel Pierrepoint: Around 1651 he was born to George Pierrepoint.
On 10th March 1849 Frances Crawford [aged 62] died. She was buried at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
On 5th February 1856 George Arkwright [aged 48] died unmarried at The Albany, London. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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On 13th May 1857 Major William Arkwright [aged 47] died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
Memorial to members of the Arkwright family at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map] including: Captain Robert Arkwright, his wife Frances Crawford, and their sons George, William and Eustace who predeceased their father.
On 17th December 1866 Reverend Godfrey Harry Arkwright [aged 52] died. His son Francis Arkwright [aged 20] inherited Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Derbyshire [Map]. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
Francis Arkwright: On 17th March 1846 he was born to Reverend Godfrey Harry Arkwright and Frances Rafella FitzHerbert. On 15th September 1875 Francis Arkwright and Evelyn Addington were married. On 1st March 1915 Francis Arkwright died. Sutton Scarsdale Hall, Derbyshire [Map] was inherited by his cousin William Arkwright who
St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map]. Memorial window to Reverend Godfrey Harry Arkwright [deceased].
On 29th April 1877 Emma Arkwright [aged 23] died at the Old Place, Sleaford. She was buried at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
Emma Arkwright: On 15th April 1854 she was born to Major William Arkwright and Fanny Susan Thornewill. On 13th July 1876 George Henry Hervey and she were married. He the son of Bishop Arthur Hervey.
St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map]. Grave of Jane Abercrombie Liardet, widow of the late Colonel C. F. Liardet (Madras Army). Died 29th September 1882 aged 69 years.
Memorial window at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map] to the Humble family.
On 28th February 1894 Frances Elizabeth Arkwright [aged 73] died. She was buried at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
Frances Elizabeth Arkwright: On 10th October 1820 she was born to Captain Robert Arkwright and Frances Crawford. On 27th July 1852 Hew Dalrymple 6th Baronet and she were married.
St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map]. Lectern given around 1900 by Mr Winter Barnes who resided at the now demolished Sutton Rock.
On 22nd February 1911 Fanny Susan Thornewill [aged 78] died. She was buried at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
Fanny Susan Thornewill: In 1833 she was born to Edward Thornewill of Dove Cliff, Staffordshire. On 11th March 1852 Major William Arkwright and she were married. The difference in their ages was 23 years.
On 12th December 1917 Charles Stuart Cockburn [aged 50] died. Memorial at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
Charles Stuart Cockburn: On 27th October 1867 he was born. On 8th August 1894 he and Lillian Manningham-Buller were married at All Saints Church, Dilhorne [Map].
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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War Memorials at St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map].
St Mary's Church, Sutton Scarsdale [Map]. Grave of Margaret Roach, killed in a road accident, 21st June 1966.