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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High Sheriff of Northamptonshire

High Sheriff of Northamptonshire is in High Sheriff.

In 1228 Stephen Segrave (age 57) was appointed High Sheriff of Warwickshire, High Sheriff of Leicestershire and High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1380 John Woodville (age 39) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1385 John Woodville (age 44) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1390 John Woodville (age 49) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In June 1532 David Cecil (age 72) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1545 John Cope (age 41) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1580 Anthony Mildmay (age 30) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1592 Anthony Mildmay (age 42) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1599 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 45) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

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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In 1604 Arthur Throckmorton (age 47) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1618 Erasmus Dryden 1st Baronet (age 64) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1626 Richard Knightley (age 32) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1672 William Langham 3rd Baronet (age 41) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

Before 1718 Thomas Deacon (age 66) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1739 Charles Edwin (age 40) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1740 Thomas Palmer 4th Baronet (age 38) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1743 Valentine Knightley (age 24) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1748 Thomas Drury 1st Baronet (age 35) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1760 William Dolben 3rd Baronet (age 33) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1763 Michael D'Anvers 5th Baronet (age 24) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1766 George Robinson 5th Baronet (age 35) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall

The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.

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In 1771 Lucius Knightley (age 28) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1792 John Turner aka Dryden 1st Baronet (age 39) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1831 Beriah Botfield (age 23) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1866 George Wentworth-Fitzwilliam (age 48) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.

In 1958 Gyles Isham 12th Baronet (age 54) was appointed High Sheriff of Northamptonshire.