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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Whitchurch, Shropshire is in Shropshire.
On 13th January 1332 John Strange 4th Baron Strange Blackmere was born to John Strange 2nd Baron Strange Blackmere [aged 25] and Ankaret Boteler Baroness Strange Blackmere [aged 23] at Whitchurch, Shropshire. He a great x 4 grandson of King John of England. He married in or before 1353 his fourth cousin once removed Mary Fitzalan Baroness Strange Blackmere, daughter of Edmund Fitzalan 2nd or 9th Earl of Arundel and Alice Warenne Countess Arundel, and had issue.
Around 1335 Hamon Strange was born to John Strange 2nd Baron Strange Blackmere [aged 28] and Ankaret Boteler Baroness Strange Blackmere [aged 26] at Whitchurch, Shropshire. He a great x 4 grandson of King John of England.
On 28th July 1397 John Strange 6th Baron Strange Knockin [aged 46] died at Whitchurch, Shropshire. His son Richard [aged 15] succeeded 7th Baron Strange Knockin.
In 1510 Henry Vernon [aged 65] commissioned the Golden Chapel to be constructed on the south side of St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. 'Golden' referred to the gilding of the fan-vaulted ceiling with three pendants. The memorial on the wall is to Arthur Vernon [aged 28] Rector of Whitchurch, Shropshire.
Arthur Vernon: In 1482 he was born to Henry Vernon and Anne Talbot. In 1517 Arthur Vernon died.
On 16th August 1517 Gilbert Talbot [aged 65] died. He was buried at Whitchurch, Shropshire.
In 1643 Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet [aged 30] died. He was buried at Whitchurch, Shropshire. His son Thomas succeeded 3rd Baronet Salusbury of Lleweni in Denbighshire.
Black Mere Castle, Whitchurch is also in Castles in Shropshire.
In 1383 John "Old Talbot" Talbot 1st Earl of Shrewsbury was born to Richard Talbot 7th Baron Strange Blackmere 4th Baron Talbot [aged 22] and Ankaret Strange 7th Baroness Strange Blackmere, Baroness Talbot [aged 22] at Black Mere Castle, Whitchurch [Map]. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. He married (1) before 12th March 1407 his third cousin once removed Maud Neville 6th Baroness Furnivall, daughter of Thomas Neville Baron Furnivall and Joan Furnival 5th Baroness Furnivall, and had issue (2) 6th September 1425 his second cousin twice removed Margaret Beauchamp Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford, daughter of Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick and Elizabeth Berkeley Countess Warwick, and had issue.
Around 1320 Matilda Strange was born to John Strange 2nd Baron Strange Blackmere [aged 13] and Ankaret Boteler Baroness Strange Blackmere [aged 11] at Black Mere, Whitchurch. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King John of England.
On 23rd January 1324 Fulk Strange 1st Baron Strange Blackmere [aged 57] died at Black Mere, Whitchurch. His son John [aged 17] succeeded 2nd Baron Strange Blackmere. Ankaret Boteler Baroness Strange Blackmere [aged 15] by marriage Baroness Strange Blackmere.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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On 12th May 1361 John Strange 4th Baron Strange Blackmere [aged 29] died at Black Mere, Whitchurch. His son John [aged 8] succeeded 5th Baron Strange Blackmere.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 11th February 1690. Tuesday, we set out past 8; dined at the Swan in Newport; lay at Whitchurch (at the Red Lyon) that night; there Mr Cotton, Mr Taylor, Captain Mainwaring, Goldsmith, Delves, Savage, &c. met us; (the 3 first retorned that night after supper) one Eddows & another townesman came to see G.Mainwaring [aged 47]. I left them past 9.