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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John Mordaunt 1455-1504

Paternal Family Tree: Mordaunt

Before 30th December 1455 [his father] William Mordaunt [aged 23] and [his mother] Margaret Peake [aged 21] were married.

On 30th December 1455 John Mordaunt was born to William Mordaunt [aged 23] and Margaret Peake [aged 21] at Turvey, Bedfordshire.

Before 1475 John Mordaunt [aged 19] and Edith Latimer [aged 24] were married. The date somewhat unreliable. Her first husband John Greene [aged 29] is supposed to have died in 1483 which makes the date of her marriage to John Mordaunt and the birth of her sons by him unreliable?

Around 1475 [his son] Robert Mordaunt was born to John Mordaunt [aged 19] and [his wife] Edith Latimer [aged 25].

In 1480 John Mordaunt 1st Baron Mordaunt was born to John Mordaunt [aged 24] and [his wife] Edith Latimer [aged 30] at Cople, Bedfordshire. He married before 1508 Elizabeth Vere Baroness Mordaunt and had issue.

In 1481 [his father] William Mordaunt [aged 49] died at Cople, Bedfordshire.

Around 1484 [his daughter] Joan Mordaunt was born to John Mordaunt [aged 28] and [his wife] Edith Latimer [aged 34] at Cople, Bedfordshire. Date changed to 1484 to be consistent with birth of son Henry in 1500. She married 26th November 1526 Giles Strangeways and had issue.

16th June 1487 Battle of Stoke Field

                    On 16th June 1487 a Lancastrian army defeated a Yorkist army at the Battle of Stoke Field; considered by many to be the last battle of the Wars of the Roses. 
                
                    The Lancastrian army of Henry Tudor comprised:
                
                    John de Vere 13th Earl of Oxford [aged 44].
                
                    Jasper Tudor 1st Duke Bedford [aged 55].
                
                    George Talbot 4th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 19].
                
                    Henry Willoughby [aged 36].
                
                    John Cheney 1st Baron Cheyne [aged 45].
                
                    John Mordaunt [aged 31].
                
                    Richard Neville 2nd Baron Latimer of Snape [aged 19].
                
                    William Norreys [aged 46].
                
                    Edward Norreys [aged 23] wounded.
                
                    John Paston [aged 43].
                
                    George Stanley 9th Baron Strange Knockin 5th Baron Mohun Dunster [aged 27].
                
                    Edward Woodville Lord Scales [aged 31].
                
                    Thomas Lovell, knighted.
                
                    Henry Marney 1st Baron Marney [aged 40].
                
                    Edward Belknapp of Blackfriars in London
                
                    William Lyttelton [aged 37] who was knighted after the battle.
                
                    The Yorksists:
                
                    John de la Pole Earl Lincoln 1st [aged 25] was killed. Earl Lincoln extinct.
                
                    Thomas Fitzgerald [aged 29] and Martin Schwartz were killed.
                
                    Lambert Simnel [aged 10] fought and was captured. He was pardoned by King Henry VII and put to work in the in the royal kitchen as a spit-turner. When he grew older, he became a falconer. Almost no information about his later life is known.
                
                    Francis Lovell 1st Viscount Lovell [aged 31] fought and escaped. He was attainted. Viscount Lovell, Baron Deincourt, Baron Grey of Rotherfield, Baron Lovel of Titchmarsh, Baron Holand forfeit.
                
                    Edmund Peckham was granted the manors of Alford, Eccles, Alderley, Chester, and Flint.

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On 10th November 1487 John Mordaunt [aged 31] was appointed Speaker of the House of Commons.

In 1491 John Mordaunt [aged 35] was elected MP Grantham.

In 1495 John Mordaunt [aged 39] was elected Knight of the Shire Bedfordshire.

On 2nd December 1496 [his mother] Margaret Peake [aged 62] died.

Around 1504 [his son] Robert Mordaunt [aged 29] died.

On 1st September 1504 [his wife] Edith Latimer [aged 54] died at Turvey, Bedfordshire. She was buried at All Saints Church, Turvey [Map].

Before 11th September 1504 John Mordaunt [aged 48] was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

On 11th September 1504 John Mordaunt [aged 48] died at Turvey, Bedfordshire. He was buried at All Saints Church, Turvey [Map].

After 11th September 1504. All Saints Church, Turvey [Map]. Monument to John Mordaunt [deceased] and [his former wife] Edith Latimer [deceased].

Fluted Period. Angels Supporting Pillow. Dress Folds at Feet. Misericorde. Tassets. Crespine Headress. Lancastrian Esses Collar with Big Esses. Screaming Man crest, possibly Saracen's Head Crest. Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Dogs chewing at her dress. Some uncertainty about the attribution. Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar. Swirling Tail. Chunky Lions Mane.

Edith Latimer: Before 1479 John Greene and she were married. Around 1450 she was born to Nicholas Latimer and Joan Hody at Duntish, Dorset. Before 1475 John Mordaunt and she were married. The date somewhat unreliable. Her first husband John Greene is supposed to have died in 1483 which makes the date of her marriage to John Mordaunt and the birth of her sons by him unreliable? On 1st September 1504 she died at Turvey, Bedfordshire. She was buried at All Saints Church, Turvey [Map].

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