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 1283 John Sully was born.
On 19th July 1333 King Edward III of England [aged 20] defeated the Scots army at the Battle of Halidon Hill near Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland [Map]. John of Eltham 1st Earl Cornwall [aged 16] commanded.
English archers, just as at the Battle of Dupplin Moor one year previously, had a significant impact on the massed ranks of Scottish schiltrons. Edward's army included: Thomas of Brotherton 1st Earl Norfolk [aged 33], who commanded the right wing, Hugh Courtenay 1st or 9th Earl Devon [aged 56], Robert Pierrepont, Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon [aged 30], Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan [aged 54] and John Sully [aged 50]. One of the few English casualties was John Neville [aged 34] who was killed.
The Scottish army included King David II of Scotland [aged 9]. Alexander Bruce, Alan Stewart [aged 61], James Stewart [aged 57], John Stewart, William Douglas 1st Earl Atholl, Archibald Douglas [aged 35] who were all killed.
Hugh 4th Earl Ross [aged 36] was killed. His son William succeeded 5th Earl Ross.
Malcolm Lennox 2nd Earl Lennox was killed. His son Domhnall succeeded Earl Lennox.
Kenneth de Moravia Sutherland 4th Earl Sutherland was killed. His son William succeeded 5th Earl Sutherland. Johanna Menteith Countess Sutherland by marriage Countess Sutherland.
On 26th August 1346 the army of King Edward III of England [aged 33] defeated the French army at the Battle of Crécy. The English army was commanded by King Edward III of England, his son Edward "Black Prince" [aged 16], Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick [aged 33], William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton [aged 36] and John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Warwick [aged 30].
The English army was included: Bishop Thomas of Hatfield [aged 36], Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer [aged 38], Bernard Brocas [aged 16], Thomas Felton [aged 16], James Audley [aged 28], Robert Bourchier 1st Baron Bourchier, Bartholomew "The Elder" Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh [aged 59], Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh [aged 18], Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham [aged 51], John Darcy 1st Baron Darcy of Knayth [aged 66], Robert Ferrers 3rd Baron Ferrers of Chartley [aged 37], Richard Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Bolton [aged 19], William Scrope [aged 21], Stephen Scrope [aged 21], William Latimer 4th Baron Latimer of Corby [aged 16], John Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle [aged 28], Gerard Lisle 1st Baron Lisle [aged 42], Nicholas Longford [aged 61], Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu, Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh [aged 27], Michael Poynings 1st Baron Poynings [aged 28], Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 48], John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford [aged 34], Thomas West [aged 34], John Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby [aged 43], John Wingfield [aged 26], Henry Percy 11th and 3rd Baron Percy [aged 25], Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon [aged 43] (possibly), Walter "Elder" Devereux [aged 37], John Devereux [aged 44], Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos [aged 26], Richard Pembridge [aged 26] and John Sully [aged 63].
The French army suffered significant casualties. King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France [aged 52] was wounded. William de Coucy [aged 60] and his son Enguerrand 6th Lord de Coucy [aged 33] and were killed.
Charles II Count Alençon [aged 49] was killed. His son Charles [aged 9] succeeded Count Alençon.
Louis Chatillon II Count Blois I Count Chatillon was killed. His son Louis succeeded III Count Blois.
Louis Dampierre II Count Nevers I Count Flanders [aged 42] was killed. His son Louis [aged 15] succeeded III Count Nevers, II Count Flanders.
King John I of Bohemia [aged 50] was killed. His son Charles [aged 30] succeeded IV King Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg. Blanche Valois Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg [aged 29] by marriage Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg.
Rudolph "Valiant" Metz I Duke Lorraine [aged 26] was killed. His son John succeeded I Duke Lorraine.
Jean IV de Harcourt [aged 39] was killed.
On 29th August 1350 the English fleet defeated a Castilian fleet at Winchelsea [Map] during the Battle of Winchelsea. Around twenty Castilian ships were captured; several were sunk. For the English King Edward III of England [aged 37] and his son Edward "Black Prince" [aged 20], James Audley [aged 32], Henry Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Masham [aged 37], Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 40] and John Sully [aged 67] fought.
On 19th September 1356 the army of Edward "Black Prince" [aged 26] defeated the French and Scottish army led by King John "The Good" II of France [aged 37] at the Battle of Poitiers
King John "The Good" II of France was captured by three captains including Ivon aka John Fane.
The the English army included: Bernard Brocas [aged 26], Thomas Felton [aged 26], James Audley [aged 38], Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick [aged 43], Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh [aged 28], Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham [aged 61], Edward Despencer 1st Baron Despencer, Baron Burghesh [aged 21], Ralph Ferrers [aged 27], William Scrope [aged 31], William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury [aged 28], Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh [aged 37], Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 58], William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 18], John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford [aged 44], John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby [aged 33], Thomas Arderne [aged 19], Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos [aged 36], Richard Pembridge [aged 36], Jean Grailly [aged 25], Robert de Fouleshurst [aged 26] and John Sully [aged 73]
John Savile of Shelley and Golcar [aged 31] probably fought having received letters of protection to travel overseas.
Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon [aged 53] protected the baggage train.
The French and Scottish army included: King John "The Good" II of France, Philip "Bold" Valois II Duke Burgundy [aged 14], Jean Bourbon I Count La Marche [aged 12], Archibald "Grim" Douglas 3rd Earl Douglas [aged 26], John "Sans Terre" Artois 1st Count of Eu [aged 35]; all captured.
Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon and William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas [aged 33] fought.
Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon [aged 45] was killed. His son Louis [aged 19] succeeded II Duke Bourbon.
Gauthier VI Comte de Brienne [aged 54] was killed.
On 23rd April 1362 John Sully [aged 79] was appointed 39th Knight of the Garter by King Edward III of England [aged 49].
Around 1388 John Sully died.