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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Biography of Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême 1459-1496

Paternal Family Tree: Capet

Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême was created Count Angoulême.

On 31st August 1449 [his father] John Valois Orléans [aged 50] and [his mother] Marguerite Rohan were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Louis Valois I Duke Orléans and [his grandmother] Valentina Visconti Duchess of Orleans.

In 1459 Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême was born to John Valois Orléans [aged 59] and Marguerite Rohan.

On 30th April 1467 [his father] John Valois Orléans [aged 67] died.

On 16th February 1488 Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême [aged 29] and Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême [aged 11] were married. She by marriage Countess Angoulême. She the daughter of Philip "Landless" Savoy II Duke Savoy [aged 50] and Margaret Bourbon. They were third cousin once removed.

Around 1490 [his illegitimate daughter] Jeanne Valois was born illegitimately to Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême [aged 31] and Antoinette Polignac [aged 30].

On 11th April 1492 [his daughter] Marguerite Valois Orléans Queen Consort Navarre was born to Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême [aged 33] and [his wife] Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême [aged 15]. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.07%. She married 1526 her third cousin once removed King Henry II of Navarre, son of Jean III King Navarre and Catherine Grailly I Queen Navarre, and had issue.

On 12th September 1494 [his son] King Francis I of France was born to Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême [aged 35] and [his wife] Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême [aged 18]. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.07%. He married (1) 18th May 1514 his second cousin Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France and had issue (2) 4th July 1530 his second cousin once removed Eleanor of Austria Queen Consort France Queen Consort Portugal, daughter of Philip "Handsome Fair" King Castile and Joanna "The Mad" Trastámara Queen Castile.

On 1st January 1496 Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême [aged 37] died.

On 22nd September 1531 [his former wife] Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême [aged 55] died.

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. And so Charles, being furnished with men, of arms, horsemen, footmen, navy, and aid of some Italians, passed through Italy by Rome and without any great labour won the city of Naples [Map]. When he had obtained this victory: in his return being assailed with the Venetians at the town of Fornovo, he had a great dangerous victory. And so like a conqueror, with great triumph returned into his realm and country. After him Louis the 12th being Kinge, when he found opportunity and saw the gap open, invaded the Italians again, and recovered again the realm of Naples, which Frecleryck the son of King Alphonse, not long before had gotten from the French nation: and after that he subdued and conquered the whole duchy of Milan. Albeit not long after (fortune turning her wheel) he lost both the Kingdom of Naples, and the fair city and duchy of Milan both together. And so the Frenchmen warring upon the Italians had no better success in their conquests, then their parents and predecessors heretofore have been accustomed. For undoubtedly, as many places as they vexed and sacked with murder and spoiling, so many or more in conclusion they did ennoble and decorate with their blood and slaughter. Which small recompense little profited and less relieved, such as before were robbed and spoiled of all their goods, substance and riches. After this the Spaniards arrived in Italy, and their putting to flight the Frenchmen, obtained the possession of the realms of Naples and Sicily, the which they possess and enjoy at this hour. And at length a certain nation of Germany, called the Swytsers, called to be partakers of the spoil of Italy, wane certain towns there, which they possess and enjoy at this present time.

Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. Shortely after this Charles the French King concluded a league with Ferdinand King of Spain, and also being entreated and solicited with the orations of diverse princes, which, persuaded and mollified the stony heart of a frozen prince, caused him to come to communication and treaty with Maximilian King of Romans, and to conclude a peace with him for a season, to the intent that he might without disturbance of his neighbours adjoining, prosperously and safely make war on Ferdinand King of Naples, and on all Italy, as he before had minded and excogitated.

[his illegitimate daughter] Souveraine Valois was born illegitimately to Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême and Jeanne Le Conte.

Memoires of Jacques du Clercq

This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.

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[his illegitimate daughter] Madeleine Valois Abbess Fontevraud was born illegitimately to Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême and Antoinette Polignac.

Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême 1459-1496 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Royal Ancestors of Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême 1459-1496

Kings Wessex: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Godwinson: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Henry III of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 10 Grand Son of King David I of Scotland

Kings France: Great Grand Son of King Charles V of France

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 16 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Kings Spain: Great x 7 Grand Son of Alfonso II King Aragon

Royal Descendants of Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême 1459-1496
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Marguerite Valois Orléans Queen Consort Navarre [1]

King Francis I of France [1]

Electress Louise Juliana of the Palatine Rhine [1]

Diana Spencer Princess Wales [2]

Ancestors of Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême 1459-1496

Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Valois I Count Valois Son of King Philip III of France

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France Grand Son of King Philip III of France

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Capet Countess Valois Great Grand Daughter of King Louis VIII of France

Great x 2 Grandfather: King John "The Good" II of France Son of King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert II Duke Burgundy 5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan "Lame" Burgundy Queen Consort France Grand Daughter of King Louis IX of France

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Capet Duchess Burgundy Daughter of King Louis IX of France

Great x 1 Grandfather: King Charles V of France Son of King John "The Good" II of France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Luxembourg VII Holy Roman Emperor 5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King John I of Bohemia 6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Brabant Countess Luxemburg and Namur

Great x 2 Grandmother: Bonne Luxembourg Queen Consort France 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia and Poland 6 x Great Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Queen Judith of Bohemia and Poland 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex

GrandFather: Louis Valois I Duke Orléans Son of King Charles V of France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Bourbon 1st Count Clermont Son of King Louis IX of France

Great x 3 Grandfather: Louis Bourbon I Duke Bourbon Grand Son of King Louis IX of France

Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Burgundy 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon Great Grand Son of King Louis IX of France

Great x 4 Grandfather: John of Avesnes II Count Hainaut II Count Holland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Hainaut Duchess Bourbon 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Luxembourg Countess Hainaut and Holland 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Joanna Bourbon Queen Consort France Great Grand Daughter of King Philip III of France

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Philip III of France Son of King Louis IX of France

Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Valois I Count Valois Son of King Philip III of France

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Barcelona Queen Consort France Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon

Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella Valois Duchess Bourbon Grand Daughter of King Philip III of France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Chatillon IV Count Saint Pol 3 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Mahaut Chatillon Countess Valois Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Capet Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England

Father: John Valois Orléans Grand Son of King Charles V of France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Matteo I Visconti

Great x 3 Grandfather: Stephano Visconti

Great x 4 Grandmother: Bonacossa Borri

Great x 2 Grandfather: Galeazzo II Visconti

Great x 3 Grandmother: Valentina Doria

Great x 1 Grandfather: Gian Galeazzo Visconti 1st Duke Milan 18 x Great Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Great x 4 Grandfather: Amadeus V "Great" Savoy 15 x Great Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Great x 3 Grandfather: Aymon "Peaceful" Savoy Count Savoy 16 x Great Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sybille Bagé

Great x 2 Grandmother: Bianca Savoy 17 x Great Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Great x 3 Grandmother: Yolande Palaeologina Countess Savoy

GrandMother: Valentina Visconti Duchess of Orleans Grand Daughter of King John "The Good" II of France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Valois I Count Valois Son of King Philip III of France

Great x 3 Grandfather: King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France Grand Son of King Philip III of France

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Capet Countess Valois Great Grand Daughter of King Louis VIII of France

Great x 2 Grandfather: King John "The Good" II of France Son of King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert II Duke Burgundy 5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan "Lame" Burgundy Queen Consort France Grand Daughter of King Louis IX of France

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Capet Duchess Burgundy Daughter of King Louis IX of France

Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabelle Valois Daughter of King John "The Good" II of France

Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Luxembourg VII Holy Roman Emperor 5 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: King John I of Bohemia 6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Brabant Countess Luxemburg and Namur

Great x 2 Grandmother: Bonne Luxembourg Queen Consort France 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia and Poland 6 x Great Grand Son of King Harold II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Queen Judith of Bohemia and Poland 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex

Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême Great Grand Son of King Charles V of France

Mother: Marguerite Rohan