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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Historie of Great Britain by John Speed

Historie of Great Britain by John Speed is in Late Medieval Books.

Historie of Great Britain by John Speed Book 9 Chapter 36

[4th December 1483]. An other Commotion at the same time was in Kent, where George Browne [aged 43] and John Gilford Knights, Foge, Scot, Clifford, and Boating, with five thousand men attempted great matters at Crouch end, but hearing of the Duke of Buckinghams surprise, dispersed themselves for that time. But when King Richard perceived how hee was every where beset, he sent one Thomas Hutton unto Francis Duke of Britaine, with proffers of gold to circumvent and imprison Earle Henry, who as hee feared was too well friended in those forraine parts, which thing indeed this Hutton well perceived, and so to the King reported, that the Duke was nothing forward to bite at this baite, whereupon, those that lately fled England, were indited of treason, and other of Henries factions beheaded, whereof Sir George Browne, and Sir Roger Clifford Knights with foure others were beheaded at London, ...

[8th November 1483] ... and at Exceter [Map] for the like cause dyed Sir Thomas Sentleger [aged 43], who had married Lady Anne Dutchess of Excester, King Richards own sister, with others; so jealous was the King of his usurped Crowne;

[12th October 1483] ... and that nothing should be laide to unprovident foresight, the coasts hee stored with Armies of men, fumished the Ports with storc of Provision, and made all things ready to withstand Earle Henries arrivall. Who now having gotten aide of five thousand Britaines, with forty vessels wel furnished, set sail from thence the twelfth of October, but was taken with so terrible a tempest,that his Fleet was disparkled some into Normandy, and some compelled to returne into Britame, only the Earles ship with one other kept the Seas, being sore tossed all night, and in the morning arrived in the mouth of Poole [Map] in the County of Dorset, where hee might behold the Shore full of men shining in armour, to his great amazement, whereupon hee lent out his shippe-boat to know whether they were friends or enemies; their answer was, that they were thither appointed by the Duke of Buckingham, toattend the comming of the Earle of Richmond, to conduct him in safety to the Duke, who lay encamped not far off, that so joyning their forces, they might prosecute Richard the usurper, who being in a maner destitute of men, was sore distrafted, and desperate in his owne designes.

These smooth untruthes notwithstanding Earle Henry avoided, and with a forward gale returned to Normandy, whence he sent Messengers unto young Charles King of France, whose father King Lewie was lately departed this life, to have his safe conduct to returne into Britaine, which easily was granted with favourable complements returned to the Earle. Lord Henry thus crossed by sea, had present news of Buckinghams surprise and death, with the flight of the Nobles escapcd from Richard: who meeting with Richmund in Britaine, fell forthwith into Counsell: where first it was determined that Earle Henry shouid take his oath to cspouse the Lady Elizabeth eldeft daughter unto King Edward, and the immediate heire to the Crowne, which hee solemnly did in the Church at Rhedon, and they for their parts sware vnto him fealty, doing him homage with no lesse respeft then unto their sole and crowned King.