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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Master of Arts is in Degrees.
In 1588 Thomas Clinton 3rd Earl Lincoln [aged 17] was awarded Master of Arts at Oxford University.
On 23rd June 1642 William Parr [aged 25] commenced his Master of Arts.
On 1st November 1642 Thomas Tully Divine [aged 22] graduated Master of Arts.
Around 1660 Richard Newport 2nd Earl Bradford [aged 15] was awarded Master of Arts at Christ Church College, Oxford University.
On 8th September 1665 Charles Dormer [aged 13] graduated Master of Arts at Merton College, Oxford University.
In 1672 Henry Godolphin [aged 23] was awarded Master of Arts at All Souls College, Oxford University.
In 1705 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 26] was awarded Master of Arts at King's College, Cambridge University [Map].
In 1712 Francis Willoughby 2nd Baron Middleton [aged 19] graduated Master of Arts at Jesus College, Cambridge University.
In 1828 John Allen Giles [aged 19] was awarded a double first class, and graduated Bachelor of Arts. In 1831 he was awared Master of Arts.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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In 1835 Charles Manners 6th Duke Rutland [aged 19] was awarded Master of Arts at Trinity College, Cambridge University [Map].
In 1871 Sewallis Edward Shirley 10th Earl Ferrers [aged 23] was awarded Master of Arts at Trinity College, Cambridge University [Map].