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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Paternal Family Tree: Elphinstone
On 7th January 1746 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith was born to Charles Elphinstone 10th Lord Elphinstone [aged 35].
In 1757 [his grandfather] Charles Elphinstone 9th Lord Elphinstone [aged 81] died. His son [his father] Charles [aged 46] succeeded 10th Lord Elphinstone.
In 1781 [his father] Charles Elphinstone 10th Lord Elphinstone [aged 70] died. His son [his brother] John [aged 44] succeeded 11th Lord Elphinstone.
On 31st March 1785 [his brother-in-law] James Drummond 11th Earl Perth [aged 41] and [his sister] Clementia Elphinstone Countess Perth [aged 35] were married. She by marriage Countess Perth.
In 1787 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith [aged 40] and Jane Mercer were married.
On 12th June 1788 [his daughter] Margaret Mercer Elphinstone Countess Flahaut and 2nd Baroness Keith was born to George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith [aged 42] and [his wife] Jane Mercer. She married 20th June 1817 Charles Joseph Comte de Flahaut and had issue.
In 1797 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith [aged 50] was created 1st Baron Keith of Stonehaven Marrischal with remainder in default of issue male of his own to his daughter and only child from his first marriage, Margaret Mercer Elphinstone, and the heirs male of her body.
On 15th December 1801 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith [aged 55] was created 1st Baron Keith of Stonehaven Marischal Kincardine with normal remainder to heirs male.
In 1803 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith [aged 56] was created 1st Baron Keith of Banheath in Dumbarton with remainder to his daughter and only child from his first marriage, Margaret Mercer Elphinstone and the heirs male of her body.
On 10th January 1808 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith [aged 62] and Hester "Queenie" Thrale Viscountess Keith [aged 43] were married.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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In December 1809 [his daughter] Georgiana Elphinstone was born to George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith [aged 63] and [his wife] Hester "Queenie" Thrale Viscountess Keith [aged 45]. Her godparents were King George IV of Great Britain and Ireland [aged 47] and King William IV of the United Kingdom [aged 44]. She married 20th September 1831 Augustus John Villiers, son of George Child-Villiers 5th Earl Jersey and Sarah Sophia Fane Countess Jersey.
In 1814 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith [aged 67] was created 1st Viscount Keith. [his wife] Hester "Queenie" Thrale Viscountess Keith [aged 49] by marriage Viscountess Keith.
After 1815. George Sanders [aged 41]. Portrait of George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith [aged 68].
On 20th June 1817 [his son-in-law] Charles Joseph Comte de Flahaut [aged 32] and [his daughter] Margaret Mercer Elphinstone Countess Flahaut and 2nd Baroness Keith [aged 29] were married at Edinburgh.
On 31st August 1822 [his sister] Clementia Elphinstone Countess Perth [aged 73] died.
On 10th March 1823 George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith [aged 77] died. Viscount Keith and Baron Keith of Stonehaven Marischal Kincardine extinct
[his daughter] Margaret Mercer Elphinstone Countess Flahaut and 2nd Baroness Keith [aged 34] succeeded 2nd Baroness Keith of Stonehaven Marrischal, 2nd Baroness Keith of Banheath in Dumbarton.
Before 1825. William Owen [aged 55]. Portrait of George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith.
On 31st March 1857 [his former wife] Hester "Queenie" Thrale Viscountess Keith [aged 92] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 20 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 18 Grand Son of King John of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Robert II of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 24 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Elphinstone 4th Lord Elphinstone 7 x Great Grand Son of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Elphinstone of Barnes 8 x Great Grand Son of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alexander Elphinstone 6th Lord Elphinstone 9 x Great Grand Son of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Elphinstone 8th Lord Elphinstone 10 x Great Grand Son of King Robert II of Scotland
GrandFather: Charles Elphinstone 9th Lord Elphinstone 11 x Great Grand Son of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Maitland 1st Lord Maitland of Thirlestane
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Maitland 1st Earl Lauderdale
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Maitland 3rd Earl Lauderdale
Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabel Maitland
Father: Charles Elphinstone 10th Lord Elphinstone 12 x Great Grand Son of King Robert II of Scotland
George Keith Elphinstone 1st Viscount Keith 13 x Great Grand Son of King Robert II of Scotland