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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Around 1582 William Larkin was born.
On 7th July 1606 William Larkin [aged 24] became a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Stainers.
On 7th July 1606 William Larkin [aged 24] became a Freeman of Worshipful Company of Stainers under the patronage of Arabella Stewart [aged 31] and Edward Seymour 1st Earl Hertford [aged 67].
Around 1610 William Larkin [aged 28]; possibly a follower. Portrait of Mary Radclyffe Lady Gell [aged 5].
Mary Radclyffe Lady Gell: Around 1605 she was born to John Radclyffe of Ordsall. On 20th June 1622 John Stanhope and she were married in Castle Donington, Leicestershire. In December 1647 John Gell 1st Baronet and she were married. She by marriage Lady Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire. Around April 1653 Mary Radclyffe Lady Gell died.
In 1613 William Larkin [aged 31]. Portrait of Edward Sackville 4th Earl Dorset [aged 22].
Around 1613 William Larkin [aged 31]. Portrait of Richard Sackville 3rd Earl Dorset [aged 23].
Around 1615 William Larkin [aged 33]. Portrait of Lucy Harrington Countess Bedford [aged 35].
Around 1615 William Larkin [aged 33]. Portrait of Grey Brydges 5th Baron Chandos [aged 35].
Grey Brydges 5th Baron Chandos: Around 1580 he was born to William Brydges 4th Baron Chandos and Mary Hopton Baroness Chandos. In 1602 William Brydges 4th Baron Chandos died. His son Grey succeeded 5th Baron Chandos of Sudeley. Anne Stanley Countess Castlehaven by marriage Baroness Chandos of Sudeley. On 28th February 1607 Grey Brydges 5th Baron Chandos and Anne Stanley Countess Castlehaven were married. She the daughter of Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby and Alice Spencer Countess Derby. They were half fourth cousin twice removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland. On 10th August 1621 Grey Brydges 5th Baron Chandos died. His son George succeeded 6th Baron Chandos of Sudeley.
Around 1615 William Larkin [aged 33]. Portrait of Diana Cecil Countess of Oxford and Elgin [aged 19].
Around 1615 William Larkin [aged 33]. Portrait of Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery [aged 30].
Around 1615 William Larkin [aged 33]. Portrait of Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset [aged 24].
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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Around 1616 William Larkin [aged 34]. Portrait of Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 52].
In 1616 William Larkin [aged 34]. Portrait of Mary Curzon Countess Dorset [aged 26].
Mary Curzon Countess Dorset: In 1590 she was born to George Curzon. In 1612 Edward Sackville 4th Earl Dorset and she were married. He the son of Robert Sackville 2nd Earl Dorset and Margaret Howard. On 28th March 1624 Richard Sackville 3rd Earl Dorset died at Dorset House. He was buried in the Sackville Chapel St Michael's Church Withyham East Sussex. His brother Edward succeeded 4th Earl Dorset, 4th Baron Buckhurst. She by marriage Countess Dorset. On 16th May 1645 she died.
Around 1616 William Larkin [aged 34]. Portrait of Elizabeth Tanfield Duchess Bridgewater [aged 31].
Elizabeth Tanfield Duchess Bridgewater: In 1585 she was born to Lawrence Tanfield. In 1602 Henry Carey 1st Viscount Falkland and she were married. They were fifth cousins. In 1620 Henry Carey 1st Viscount Falkland was created 1st Viscount Falkland. She by marriage Viscountess Falkland. In 1639 she died.
Around 1616 William Larkin [aged 34]. Portrait of Isabella Rich [aged 23].
Isabella Rich: John Smythe and she were married. She the daughter of Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire. They were fifth cousin once removed. Around 1593 she was born to Robert Rich 1st Earl Warwick and Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire.
Around 1616 William Larkin [aged 34]. Portrait of Anne Clifford Countess Dorset and Pembroke [aged 25].
Around 1616 William Larkin [aged 34]. Portrait of Elizabeth Drury Countess Exeter [aged 37].
Elizabeth Drury Countess Exeter: On 4th January 1578 she was born to William Drury and Elizabeth Stafford. After 1591 William Cecil 2nd Earl Exeter and she were married. He the son of Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter and Dorothy Neville Countess Exeter. They were third cousin once removed. On 8th February 1623 Thomas Cecil 1st Earl Exeter died. He was buried at Chapel of St John the Baptist, Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son William succeeded 2nd Earl Exeter, 3rd Baron Burghley. She by marriage Countess Exeter. On 26th February 1658 Elizabeth Drury Countess Exeter died.
Around 1616 William Larkin [aged 34]. Portrait of Elizabeth Bassett Countess Newcastle upon Tyne [aged 24].
In 1616 William Larkin [aged 34]. Portrait of George Villiers 1st Duke of Buckingham [aged 23] wearing his Garter Robes and Leg Garter.
Before 1619 William Larkin [aged 36]; possibly a follower. Portrait of Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh [aged 35].
Before 1619 William Larkin [aged 36]. Portrait of Thomas Lucy of Charlecote Park [aged 23].
Thomas Lucy of Charlecote Park: In 1595 he was born to Thomas Lucy of Charlecote. In or before 1622 Thomas Lucy of Charlecote Park and Alice Spencer were married. In December 1640 Thomas Lucy of Charlecote Park died.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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Between 10th April 1619 and 14th May 1619 William Larkin [aged 37] died. The earlier date being when his will was witnessed, the latter date when it was proved.