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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Viscount Beauchamp is in Viscountcies of England Alphabetically.
1537 Birth and Christening Edward VI
1552 Trial and Execution of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset and his Supporters
There have been two creations of Viscount Beauchamp:
1st. 5th June 1536. Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset. Forfeit. 22nd January 1552. Trial and Execution of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset and his Supporters.
2nd. August 1750. Francis Seymour-Conway 1st Marquess Hertford. Extant.
Viscount Beauchamp is also in Viscountcies of England Chronologically, Forfeit Viscountcies of England.
Summary
5th June 1536. Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 36) created.
22nd January 1552. Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset forfeit. See Trial and Execution of Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset and his Supporters.
On 5th June 1536 Edward Seymour (age 36) was created 1st Viscount Beauchamp. See Letter 1074 and Letter 1075.
Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 15th October 1537. This yeare, the 25thd daie of October, being Moundaie, the Prince was christened in the Kinges chappell at Hampton Court, the Archbishopp of Canterberie (age 48) and the Duke of Norfoike (age 64) godfathers at the font, and my Ladie Maries grace (age 21), the Kinges daughter by Queene Katherin, godmotherb, and the Duke of Suffolke, godfather at the confirmation, the Princes name being Edwarde, proclaymed after his christning by the King of Haroldesa, "Edward, sonne and heire to the King of Englande, Duke of Cornewall, and Earle of Chester." The goodlie solempnitie of the lordes and ladies done at the christning was a goodlie sight to behoulde, everie one after their office and degree; the Ladie Elizabeth (age 4), the Kinges daughter, bearing the chrisome on her breast, the Viscoumpt Beauchampe (age 37), brother to the Queeneb, bearing her in his armes, the Earle of Essex (age 52) bearing the salte, the Ladie Marques of Exceter (age 34) bearing the Prince to the church and home againe, the Duke of Norfolke staying his head, as she bare him, and the Duke of Suffolke (age 53) at his feete.
Note d. Evidently a clerical error for the 15th, which was Monday, whereas the 25th would haye been Thursday.
Note e. It is cnrions to note the incongruity of the sponsors: these were Archbishop Cranmer, the head of the Protestant Reformers, the Duke of Norfolk, leader of the lay Catholics, and the Princess Mary, a bigoted Catholic, who had been bastardised by her father.
Note a. Thomas Hawley, Clarencieux King-at-Arms.
Note b. Edward Seymour, elder brother of Queen Jane, and so brother-in-law of Henry VIII was created Viscount Beauchomp, of Hache, co. Somerset, 5th June, 1536. He was lineally descended from Sir Roger Seymour (temp. Edward III.) who married Cicely, sister and eldest coheir of John de Beauchamp, last Baron Beauchamp.
On 22nd January 1552 Edward Seymour 1st Duke of Somerset (age 52) was beheaded at Tower Hill [Map]. He was buried at St Peter ad Vincula Church, Tower of London [Map]. Duke Somerset, Earl Hertford, Viscount Beauchamp forfeit. His great-grandson William Seymour 2nd Duke of Somerset was restored to the titles in 1660.
Viscount Beauchamp is also in Viscountcies of England Chronologically, Extant Viscountcies of England.
Summary
August 1750. Francis Seymour-Conway 1st Marquess Hertford (age 32) created.
14th June 1794. Son Francis Ingram Seymour-Conway 2nd Marquess Hertford (age 51) succeeded.
28th June 1822. Son Francis Charles Seymour-Conway 3rd Marquess Hertford (age 45) succeeded.
1st March 1842. Son Richard Seymour-Conway 4th Marquess Hertford (age 42) succeeded.
25th August 1870. Second Cousin Francis George Hugh Seymour-Conway 5th Marquess Hertford (age 58) succeeded.
25th January 1884. Son Hugh de Grey Seymour-Conway 6th Marquess Hertford (age 40) succeeded.
23rd March 1912. Son George Francis Alexander Seymour 7th Marquess Hertford (age 41) succeeded.
1940. Nephew Hugh Seymour 8th Marquess Hertford (age 9) succeeded.
22nd December 1997. Son Henry Seymour 9th Marquess of Hertford (age 39) succeeded.
In August 1750 Francis Seymour-Conway 1st Marquess Hertford (age 32) was created 1st Earl Hertford, 1st Viscount Beauchamp. Isabella Fitzroy Countess Hertford (age 23) by marriage Countess Hertford.
On 14th June 1794 Francis Seymour-Conway 1st Marquess Hertford (age 75) died. His son Francis (age 51) succeeded 2nd Marquess Hertford, 2nd Earl Hertford, 2nd Earl of Yarmouth, 2nd Viscount Beauchamp, 3rd Baron Conway of Ragley in Warwickshire, 3rd Baron Conway of Killultagh in Antrim. Isabella Anne Ingram Marchioness Hertford (age 35) by marriage Marchioness Hertford. The estate was worth £70000 a year, and included Ragley Hall, Alcester, Sudbourne Hall, Sudbourne and estates in Ireland.
On 28th June 1822 Francis Ingram Seymour-Conway 2nd Marquess Hertford (age 79) died at Hertford aka Manchester House Manchester Square Marylebone. His son Francis (age 45) succeeded 3rd Marquess Hertford, 3rd Earl Hertford, 3rd Earl of Yarmouth, 3rd Viscount Beauchamp, 4th Baron Conway of Ragley in Warwickshire, 4th Baron Conway of Killultagh in Antrim.
On 1st March 1842 Francis Charles Seymour-Conway 3rd Marquess Hertford (age 64) died. His son Richard (age 42) succeeded 4th Marquess Hertford, 4th Earl Hertford, 4th Earl of Yarmouth, 4th Viscount Beauchamp, 5th Baron Conway of Ragley in Warwickshire, 5th Baron Conway of Killultagh in Antrim.
On 25th August 1870 Richard Seymour-Conway 4th Marquess Hertford (age 70) died in Paris [Map]. His second cousin Francis (age 58) succeeded 5th Marquess Hertford, 5th Earl Hertford, 5th Earl of Yarmouth, 5th Viscount Beauchamp, 6th Baron Conway of Ragley in Warwickshire, 6th Baron Conway of Killultagh in Antrim. Frances Elizabeth Anson Marchioness Hertford (age 60) by marriage Marchioness Hertford.
On 25th January 1884 Francis George Hugh Seymour-Conway 5th Marquess Hertford (age 71) died. His son Hugh (age 40) succeeded 6th Marquess Hertford, 6th Earl Hertford, 6th Earl of Yarmouth, 6th Viscount Beauchamp, 7th Baron Conway of Ragley in Warwickshire, 7th Baron Conway of Killultagh in Antrim. Mary Hood Marchioness Hertford (age 37) by marriage Marchioness Hertford.
On 23rd March 1912 Hugh de Grey Seymour-Conway 6th Marquess Hertford (age 68) died. His son George (age 41) succeeded 7th Marquess Hertford, 7th Earl Hertford, 7th Earl of Yarmouth, 7th Viscount Beauchamp, 8th Baron Conway of Ragley in Warwickshire, 8th Baron Conway of Killultagh in Antrim.
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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In 1940 George Francis Alexander Seymour 7th Marquess Hertford (age 69) died. His nephew Hugh (age 9) succeeded 8th Marquess Hertford, 8th Earl Hertford, 8th Earl of Yarmouth, 8th Viscount Beauchamp, 9th Baron Conway of Ragley in Warwickshire, 9th Baron Conway of Killultagh in Antrim.
On 22nd December 1997 Hugh Seymour 8th Marquess Hertford (age 67) died. His son Henry (age 39) succeeded 9th Marquess Hertford, 9th Earl Hertford, 9th Earl of Yarmouth, 9th Viscount Beauchamp, 10th Baron Conway of Ragley in Warwickshire, 10th Baron Conway of Killultagh in Antrim.