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: Stanley
Before 6th March 1497 Thomas Greville [aged 45] and [his mother] Elizabeth Vaughan Baroness Grey Wilton [aged 34] were married.
Before 3rd April 1498 John Grey 8th Baron Grey of Wilton [aged 50] and [his mother] Elizabeth Vaughan Baroness Grey Wilton [aged 35] were married. She by marriage Baroness Grey of Wilton.
Before November 1501 [his father] Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle [aged 39] and Anne Harrington [aged 41] were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby [aged 66] and [his grandmother] Eleanor Neville Baroness Stanley. They were half second cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Before 1507 [his father] Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle [aged 44] and [his mother] Elizabeth Vaughan Baroness Grey Wilton [aged 43] were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby and [his grandmother] Eleanor Neville Baroness Stanley.
Around 25th May 1507 Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle was born to [his father] Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle [aged 45] and [his mother] Elizabeth Vaughan Baroness Grey Wilton [aged 44]. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England.
On 9th September 1513 at the Battle of Flodden was fought at the Branxton, Northumberland [Map]. the English army was commanded by Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk [aged 70], Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 40], Edmund Howard [aged 35], Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 45], [his father] Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle [aged 51] and Marmaduke Constable [aged 56].
The English army included: Henry "Shepherd Lord" Clifford 10th Baron Clifford [aged 59], William Conyers 1st Baron Conyers [aged 44], Thomas Berkeley 5th Baron Berkeley [aged 41] and Richard Neville 2nd Baron Latimer of Snape [aged 45].
Father and son Ralph ellerker of risby in yorkshire and Ralph Ellerker were knighted by Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey, as were Marmaduke Constable [aged 33], William Constable [aged 38], George Darcy 1st Baron Darcy Aston [aged 16], Edmund Walsingham [aged 33], Thomas Burgh 7th Baron Cobham 5th Baron Strabolgi 1st Baron Burgh [aged 25] and Walter Stonor [aged 36].
John Booth [aged 78], Randall Babington, John Bigod [aged 38] and Thomas Fitzwilliam [aged 39], Christopher Savage [aged 49], Thomas Venables [aged 44] and Brian Tunstall [aged 33] were killed.
Bryan Stapleton of Wighill [aged 55] was killed. (Some reports have him dying in 1518).
The Scottish army suffered heavy casualties:
King James IV of Scotland [aged 40] was killed. His body was taken to London, then to Sheen Priory, Richmond [Map]; thereafter it disappeared. His son James [aged 1] succeeded V King Scotland.
Archbishop Alexander Stewart [aged 20] was killed.
David Kennedy 1st Earl Cassilis [aged 43] was killed. His son Gilbert [aged 18] succeeded 2nd Earl Cassilis. Isabel Campbell Countess Cassilis by marriage Countess Cassilis.
William Sinclair 2nd Earl Caithness [aged 54] was killed. His son John succeeded 3rd Earl Caithness.
Matthew Stewart 2nd Earl Lennox was killed. His son John [aged 23] succeeded 3rd Earl Lennox.
William Hay 4th Earl Erroll was killed. His son William [aged 18] succeeded 5th Earl Erroll.
John Douglas 2nd Earl Morton was killed. His son James succeeded 3rd Earl Morton, 6th Lord Dalkeith.
Adam Hepburn 2nd Earl Bothwell was killed. His son Patrick [aged 1] succeeded 3rd Earl Bothwell.
Alexander Stewart 4th of Garlies [aged 32] was killed. His son Alexander [aged 6] succeeded 5th Lord Garlies.
Alexander Elphinstone 1st Lord Elphinstone was killed. His son Alexander [aged 3] succeeded 2nd Lord Elphinstone.
Thomas Hay, George Hepburn Bishop Isles [aged 59], Adam Hepburn Master [aged 56], Thomas "Younger of Cushnie" Lumsden
William Douglas 6th Lord Drumlanrig was killed. William "Younger" Douglas 7th Lord Drumlanrig succeeded 7th Lord Drumlanrig.
George Seton 5th Lord Seton was killed. His son George succeeded 6th Lord Seton.
John Hay 2nd Lord Hay of Yester was killed. His son John [aged 23] succeeded 3rd Lord Hay of Yester. Elizabeth Douglas Lady Hay by marriage Lord Hay of Yester.
Henry Sinclair 3rd Lord Sinclair [aged 48] was killed. His son William succeeded 4th Lord Sinclair.
James Stewart 1st Lord of Traquair [aged 33] was killed. His son William [aged 7] succeeded 2nd Lord Traquair.
John Maxwell 4th Lord Maxwell [aged 57] was killed. His son Robert [aged 20] succeeded 5th Lord Maxwell.
George Home 4th Lord Home and John Stewart 2nd Earl Atholl [aged 38] fought.
William Graham 1st Earl Montrose [aged 49] was killed. His son William [aged 21] succeeded 2nd Earl Montrose.
Robert Erskine 4th Lord Erskine 16th Earl of Mar was killed. His son John [aged 26] de jure 17th Earl Mar, Lord Erskine.
Thomas Stewart 2nd Lord Innermeath [aged 52] was killed. His son Richard succeeded 3rd Lord Innermeath.
Robert Crichton 2nd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar [aged 41] was killed. His son Robert [aged 22] succeeded 3rd Lord Crichton of Sanquhar
Father and son William Rollo [aged 59] and Robert Rollo 5th of Duncrub [aged 34], brothers David Lyon of Cossins, William Lyon and George Lyon were killed. John Somerville 1st of Cambusnethan [aged 55], William Keith of Inverugie [aged 43], David Wemyss of Wemyss [aged 40], Robert Keith Master of Marischal [aged 30], Guiscard Harbottle [aged 28], John Erskine, David Home [aged 22], Andrew Stewart 1st Lord Avondale [aged 43], Archibald Campbell 2nd Earl Argyll [aged 64], Robert Douglas of Lochleven [aged 89] were killed. William Murray [aged 43], Colin Oliphant [aged 26], William Ruthven [aged 33], George Douglas [aged 44] and William Douglas [aged 42] were killed. Walter Lindsay of Arden and Walter Lindsay [aged 33] were killed.
On 15th January 1514 [his mother] Elizabeth Vaughan Baroness Grey Wilton [aged 51] died at Hornby Castle [Map].
On 23rd November 1514 [his father] Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle [aged 52] was created 1st Baron Monteagle.
On 17th April 1524 [his father] Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle [aged 62] died at Hornby Castle [Map]. His son Thomas [aged 16] succeeded 2nd Baron Monteagle.
Before 1527 Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle [aged 19] and Mary Brandon Baroness Monteagle [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Baroness Monteagle. She the daughter of Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 42] and Anne Browne. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Edward III of England.
In 1528 [his son] William Stanley 3rd Baron Monteagle was born to Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle [aged 20] and [his wife] Mary Brandon Baroness Monteagle [aged 18]. He married (1) before 1591 Anne Leybourne and had issue (2) after 1591 Anne Spencer Countess Dorset.
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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Around 1532 [his daughter] Anne Stanley was born to Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle [aged 24]. She married before 1570 John Clifton and had issue.
In 1533 Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 16] and [his sister-in-law] Frances Brandon Duchess of Suffolk [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Marchioness Dorset. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 49] and Mary Tudor Queen Consort France [aged 36]. He the son of Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset and Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset [aged 46]. They were half second cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 1st June 1533 the six months pregnant Queen Anne Boleyn of England [aged 32] was crowned Queen Consort England by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer [aged 43] at Westminster Abbey [Map]. See Coronation of Anne Boleyn.
John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford [aged 62] bore the Crown. Henry Grey 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 16] carried the Salt. Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset [aged 46] rode in the procession. William Coffin [aged 38] was appointed Master of the Horse. Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex [aged 50] served as Lord Sewer. Henry Parker [aged 20] and William Coffin were knighted. Thomas Berkeley 6th Baron Berkeley [aged 28], Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle [aged 26] and Henry Capell [aged 27] were created Knight of the Bath. Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset rode in the procession. Arthur Hopton [aged 44] attended.
Thomas More [aged 55] refused to attend. Shortly thereafter, More was charged with accepting bribes, but the charges had to be dismissed for lack of any evidence.
Anne Braye Baroness Cobham [aged 32] was the attendant horsewoman.
Charles Wriothesley [aged 25] attended.
On 25th June 1533 Mary Tudor Queen Consort France [aged 37] died at Westhorpe, Suffolk [Map]. She was buried at the monastery of St. Edmondsbury [Map] on 22nd July 1533. Her daughter [his sister-in-law] Frances [aged 15] was Chief Mourner.
On 1st March 1534 [his brother-in-law] Henry Brandon [aged 11] died at Southwark, Surrey [Map]. Earl Lincoln extinct.
On 15th May 1536 Queen Anne Boleyn [aged 35] tried at the King's Hall in the Tower of London [Map].
Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 63] was appointed Lord High Steward and presided. Henry Howard Earl of Surrey [aged 20] attended. Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu [aged 44] was one of the judges. Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester [aged 34] was the principal witness.
The jurors were:
[his father-in-law] Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 52].
Edward Clinton 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 24].
Thomas Fiennes 9th Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 21].
George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 49].
Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland [aged 44].
John Mordaunt 1st Baron Mordaunt [aged 56].
Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland [aged 38].
Henry Parker 11th Baron Marshal 10th Baron Morley [aged 55].
Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby [aged 27].
Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle [aged 28].
John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford [aged 65].
Thomas Wentworth 1st Baron Wentworth [aged 35].
Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester [aged 40].
Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland.
Thomas Burgh 7th Baron Cobham 5th Baron Strabolgi 1st Baron Burgh [aged 48].
Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter [aged 40].
William Fitzalan 11th or 18th Earl of Arundel [aged 60].
Henry Fitzalan 12th or 19th Earl of Arundel [aged 24].
Thomas Audley 1st Baron Audley Walden [aged 48].
Edward Powers Lord Powers.
William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne [aged 66].
Thomas Ware.
Andrew Windsor 1st Baron Windsor [aged 69].
George Brooke 9th Baron Cobham [aged 39].
She was found guilty and sentenced to be beheaded. John Spelman [aged 56] signed the death warrant.
After Anne's trial her brother George Boleyn Viscount Rochford [aged 33] was also tried and found guilty.
In 1542 [his wife] Mary Brandon Baroness Monteagle [aged 32] died.
After 1542 Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle [aged 34] and Helen Preston [aged 31] were married.
On 15th August 1560 Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle [aged 53] died at Hornby. His son William [aged 32] succeeded 3rd Baron Monteagle. Anne Spencer Countess Dorset by marriage Baroness Monteagle.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 25th September 1560. The xxv day of September was bered my lord Montegul [deceased], with a herse and a mageste [majesty] and valans of sarsenett, and iiij grett skochyons of armes, and a vj dosen of skochyons and vj of bokeram, and a standard and a grett baner of armes, and iiij baner-rolles of dyvers armes, and a cott armur, targett and sword, elmett, mantylles, and [crest;] and master Norrey [aged 50] and Ruge-dragon the haroldes, and iiij dosen of ...
Note. P. 243. Funeral of lord Monteagle. Thomas Stanley succeeded his father 1523; made K.B. at the coronation of queen Anne Boleyne; married first lady Mary Brandon, daughter of the duke of Suffolk, and secondly Helen daughter of Thomas Preston esquire of Levens in Westmerland, and widow of sir James Leybourne. He died at his castle of Hornby, co. Lancaster, Aug. 18, 1560, and was buried on the 16th Sept. at the parish church of Melling. His funeral is in the College of Arms, I. 13, f. 27; see also MS. Harl. 897, f. 83.
On 14th November 1571 [his former wife] Helen Preston [aged 60] died.
James Leybourne and Helen Preston were married. The difference in their ages was 21 years.
King Edward III of England 1312-1377
John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster 1340-1399
Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 1364-1425
Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 1379-1440
John Neville 3rd Baron Neville of Raby 1337-1388
Maud Percy Baroness Neville Raby
Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 1407-1462
Richard Neville Earl Salisbury 1400-1460
Kings Wessex: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 11 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 12 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 20 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 15 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 18 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Stanley 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Stanley
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Massey
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Stanley 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Lathom 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Lathom 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley 1st Baron Stanley 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Harrington 2nd Baron Harington 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Harrington 3rd Baron Harington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Bermingham
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington
Great x 4 Grandfather: Neil Loring
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Loring Baroness Harington
GrandFather: Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Goushill
Great x 1 Grandmother: Jane Goushill Baroness Stanley 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey 
5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey 
Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton 
Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bohun Countess Arundel and Surrey Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Badlesmere Countess Northampton 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Father: Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 2nd Baron Neville of Raby 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Neville 3rd Baron Neville of Raby 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Audley Baroness Greystoke and Neville 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 10th and 2nd Baron Percy 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Percy Baroness Neville Raby 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Idonia Clifford Baroness Percy 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward III of England 
Son of King Edward II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa of Hainaut Queen Consort England 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 
Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Giles "Payne" Roet 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Swynford aka Roet Duchess Lancaster
GrandMother: Eleanor Neville Baroness Stanley 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Montagu 1st Baron Montagu, Baron Monthermer 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Montagu 3rd Earl Salisbury 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Monthermer Baroness Montagu 3rd Baroness Monthermer 
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Adam Francis
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Francis Countess of Salisbury
Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 1st Earl Kent 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan "Fair Maid of Kent" Princess Wales Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Holland 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 3rd or 10th Earl of Arundel 8th Earl of Surrey 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Fitzalan Countess Kent 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Countess Arundel and Surrey Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Sais 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Vaughan
Great x 2 Grandfather: Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 
5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Emma Devereux 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Roger Vaughan 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Llewellyn Brecon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Dafydd Gam Brecon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam "Star of Abergavenny" Brecon
GrandFather: Thomas Vaughan 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas ab Philip Vychan Unknown
Great x 1 Grandmother: Denise or Cecily Vaughan
Mother: Elizabeth Vaughan Baroness Grey Wilton 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England