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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The History of Scotland by George Buchanan

The History of Scotland by George Buchanan is in Tudor Books.

[27th February 1545] These exhortations added to their courage as much as the toil of the march abated their strength ; so that their two first battalions fell in amongst the Scots, who were prepared for the onset, as into an ambush ; yet trusting to their number, they stood to their arms and. fought stoutly. But two things, wisely foreseen, were a great help to the Scots; for the sun was almost at west, and darted with his full beams in the faces of the enemy, and also the wind, which was somewhat high, carried back the smoke of the gunpowder upon the battalions behind, insomuch that they could not see their way; and besides, whilst they were panting, by reason of their march, it mightily troubled them with its noisome smell. The first battalion of the English fell back upon the second, the second on the third; where, by their intermixtures one with another, and the pressing of the Scots upon them, they all broke their ranks and were driven back; so that they were so fullof fear and terror, that none knew his own colours or his captain. Thus, whilst every one provided for his own safety, no man remembered the public danger or disgrace. The Scots followed thick and close after them, so that now there was no more fighting, but slaying. At night the Scots were called back to their colours, and taking a view of the slain, they lost only two of their own; of the English, besides commanders, there died about 200 soldiers, most of them persons of quality. There were about 1000 prisoners taken, and of them above 80 gentlemen. This victory happening beyond all men's éxpectation, was so much the more accepetable; the fruit and profit of it all redounded to the regent, but almost all the honour to the Douglasses.