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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 1655 [his father] Charles Stanley 8th Earl of Derby [aged 26] and [his mother] Dorothea Helena Kirkoven Countess Derby [aged 24] were married. She by marriage Countess Derby. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Jehan Lord of Heenvliet [aged 60] and [his grandmother] Katherine Wotton Countess Chesterfield [aged 45]. He the son of James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby and Charlotte Thouars Countess Derby [aged 55].
Around 1655 William Stanley 9th Earl of Derby was born to Charles Stanley 8th Earl of Derby [aged 26] and Dorothea Helena Kirkoven Countess Derby [aged 25].
On 21st December 1672 [his father] Charles Stanley 8th Earl of Derby [aged 44] died. His son William [aged 17] succeeded 9th Earl Derby, 3rd Baron Strange Knockin.
In 1673 William Stanley 9th Earl of Derby [aged 18] and Elizabeth Butler Countess Derby [aged 13] were married. She by marriage Countess Derby. She the daughter of Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory [aged 38] and Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory [aged 37]. He the son of Charles Stanley 8th Earl of Derby and Dorothea Helena Kirkoven Countess Derby [aged 43]. They were half third cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 6th April 1673 [his mother] Dorothea Helena Kirkoven Countess Derby [aged 43] died.
In 1676 William Stanley 9th Earl of Derby [aged 21] was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire.
In 1682 [his brother-in-law] James Butler 2nd Duke Ormonde [aged 16] and Anne Hyde were married. She the daughter of Lawrence Hyde 1st Earl Rochester [aged 39] and Henrietta Boyle Countess Rochester [aged 36]. He the son of [his father-in-law] Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory and [his mother-in-law] Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory [aged 46]. They were sixth cousins.
In 1685 [his brother-in-law] James Butler 2nd Duke Ormonde [aged 19] and Mary Somerset Duchess Ormonde [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of Henry Somerset 1st Duke Beaufort [aged 56] and Mary Capell Duchess Beaufort [aged 54]. He the son of [his father-in-law] Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory and [his mother-in-law] Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory [aged 49].
In 1687 [his daughter] Henrietta Stanley Countess Anglesey was born to William Stanley 9th Earl of Derby [aged 32] and [his wife] Elizabeth Butler Countess Derby [aged 27]. She married 1. 21st May 1706 John Annesley 4th Earl Anglesey, son of James Annesley 2nd Earl Anglesey and Elizabeth Manners Countess Anglesey 2. 24th July 1714 her half sixth cousin John Ashburnham 1st Earl Ashburnham, son of John Ashburnham 1st Baron Ashburnham and Bridget Vaughan Baroness Ashburnham, and had issue.
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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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In 1688 William Stanley 9th Earl of Derby [aged 33] was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire.
John Evelyn's Diary. 29th January 1689. The votes of the House of Commons being carried up by Mr. Hampden [aged 36], their chairman, to the Lords, I got a station by the Prince's [aged 55] lodgings at the door of the lobby to the House, and heard much of the debate, which lasted very long. Lord Derby [aged 34] was in the chair (for the House was resolved into a grand committee of the whole House); after all had spoken, it came to the question, which was carried by three voices against a Regency, which 51 were for, 54 against; the minority alleging the danger of dethroning Kings, and scrupling many passages and expressions in the vote of the Commons, too long to set down particularly. Some were for sending to his Majesty with conditions: others that the King could do no wrong, and that the maladministration was chargeable on his ministers. There were not more than eight or nine bishops, and but two against the Regency; the archbishop [aged 71] was absent, and the clergy now began to change their note, both in pulpit and discourse, on their old passive obedience, so as people began to talk of the bishops being cast out of the House. In short, things tended to dissatisfaction on both sides; add to this, the morose temper of the Prince of Orange [aged 38], who showed little countenance to the noblemen and others, who expected a more gracious and cheerful reception when they made their court. The English army also was not so in order, and firm to his interest, nor so weakened but that it might give interruption. Ireland was in an ill posture as well as Scotland. Nothing was yet done toward a settlement. God of his infinite mercy compose these things, that we may be at last a Nation and a Church under some fixed and sober establishment!
John Evelyn's Diary. 21st February 1689. Innumerable were the crowds, who solicited for, and expected offices; most of the old ones were turned out. Two or three white staves were disposed of some days before, as Lord Steward, to the Earl of Devonshire [aged 49]; Treasurer of the household, to Lord Newport; Lord Chamberlain to the King, to my Lord of Dorset [aged 46]; but there were as yet none in offices of the civil government save the Marquis of Halifax [aged 55] as Privy Seal. A council of thirty was chosen, Lord Derby [aged 34] president, but neither Chancellor nor Judges were yet declared, the new Great Seal not yet finished.
Calendar of the State Papers of William and Mary 1693 March. 1st March 1693. Whitehall. The Earl of Nottingham to the Commissioners of the Treasury. The Earl of Derby [aged 38] has represented to the King the great want of all sorts of coin in the Isle of Man, whereby the trade thereof is wholly lost, to the great prejudice of his lordship as well as the inhabitants; and the Karl designing to set up a linen manufactory there, which may be very advantageous to England, and which cannot be carried on without "such a current cash as may be sufficient to pay the workmen for their labour," has prayed that he may have leave to coin "abase metal not exceeding the value of 10,000l.," for the support of the island and of the linen manufactory, which moneys so coined should be current only in the Isle of Man. The King is willing to gratify the Earl of Derby and promote the welfare of that island, and has commanded me to acquaint you with this matter, that you may report your opinion thereon. [H.O. Letter Book (Secretary's) 2, p. 624.]
On 12th January 1697 Henry Nassau 1st Earl Grantham [aged 24] and [his sister-in-law] Henrietta Butler Countess Grantham were married. She the daughter of [his father-in-law] Thomas Butler 6th Earl Ossory and [his mother-in-law] Emilia Nassau Beverweert Countess Ossory. They were first cousins.
Before 5th November 1702 [his son] James Stanley died.
On 5th November 1702 William Stanley 9th Earl of Derby [aged 47] died. On His brother [his brother] James [aged 38] succeeded 10th Earl Derby. Baron Strange Knockin abeyant between his two daughters Henrietta Stanley Countess Anglesey [aged 15] and Elizabeth Stanley. On the death of Elizabeth Stanley in 1714 the abeyance was terminated in favour of Henrietta Stanley Countess Anglesey.
In 1717 [his former wife] Elizabeth Butler Countess Derby [aged 57] died. She was buried in the Duke of Ormonde Vault, King Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey.
Calendar of the State Papers of William and Mary 1693 Preface. There is little reference to the Channel Islands, yet their importance as ports of observation must have been considerable, and we find the Governors of Jersey and Guernsey directed to dispatch a yacht "once in five or six weeks, or to Southampton, which should carry any news of importance (pp. 217-218). 'The Isle of Man finds mention in reference to a petition—submitted on the 1st of March, by the Earl of Nottingham to the Treasury, and which the King was disposed to grant—from the Earl of Derby, to be allowed to establish on the island a mint at which he should coin "a base metal" not exceeding the value of £10,000. The Harl designed the setting up of a linen manufactory there (p. 54).
[his daughter] Elizabeth Stanley was born to William Stanley 9th Earl of Derby and Elizabeth Butler Countess Derby.
[his son] James Stanley was born to William Stanley 9th Earl of Derby and Elizabeth Butler Countess Derby.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Gruffudd ap Cynan of Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Son of King William I of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Charles V of France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 14 Grand Son of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley 2nd Earl of Derby
4 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby
5 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Hastings Countess Derby
4 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Stanley 4th Earl of Derby
6 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk
5 x Great Grandson of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Howard Countess Derby
6 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Stanley 6th Earl of Derby
2 x Great Grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Clifford 1st Earl of Cumberland
6 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Clifford 2nd Earl of Cumberland
5 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Percy Baroness Clifford 4 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Clifford Countess Derby
Great Granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk 6 x Great Grandson of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Brandon Countess Cumberland
Granddaughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Tudor Queen Consort France
daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Grandfather: James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby
3 x Great Grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford
5 x Great Grandson of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John de Vere 16th Earl of Oxford
6 x Great Grandson of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Trussell Countess of Oxford 8 x Great Granddaughter of King William I of Scotland
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward de Vere 17th Earl of Oxford
7 x Great Grandson of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Golding
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Golding Countess of Oxford
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tonge
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby
8 x Great Granddaughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Cecil
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cecil 1st Baron Burghley
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Heckington
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Cecil Countess of Oxford
11 x Great Granddaughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Cooke
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mildred Cooke Baroness Burghley 10 x Great Granddaughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Fitzwilliam
9 x Great Granddaughter of King John of England
Father: Charles Stanley 8th Earl of Derby
4 x Great Grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles I de La Tremoille
Great x 3 Grandfather: François II de La Tremoille
Great x 2 Grandfather: Louis III de La Tremoille 1st Duke Thouars
Great x 1 Grandfather: Claude de La Tremoille 2nd Duke Thouars 6 x Great Grandson of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: William de Montmorency
Great x 3 Grandfather: Anne I Duke of Montmorency
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jeanne Montmorency 5 x Great Granddaughter of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: René of Savoy 3 x Great Grandson of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 3 Grandmother: Madeleine of Savoy 4 x Great Granddaughter of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Lascaris
Grandmother: Charlotte Thouars Countess Derby 6 x Great Granddaughter of King Charles V of France
Great x 3 Grandfather: William "The Rich" I Count of Nassau Dillenburg
Great x 2 Grandfather: William "The Silent" Orange Nassau I Prince Orange
Great x 1 Grandmother: Charlotte Flandrina Orange Nassau 5 x Great Granddaughter of King Charles V of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis Bourbon Prince of La Roche sur Yon
5 x Great Grandson of King Louis IX of France
Great x 3 Grandfather: Louis Duke of Montpensier
4 x Great Grandson of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Louise Bourbon Duchess of Monpensier
3 x Great Granddaughter of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 2 Grandmother: Charlotte Bourbon Princess Orange
4 x Great Granddaughter of King Charles V of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Jean IV de Longwy Seigneur de Givry
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jacqueline de Longwy 3 x Great Granddaughter of King Charles V of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jeanne Valois
2 x Great Granddaughter of King Charles V of France
William Stanley 9th Earl of Derby
5 x Great Grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Grandfather: Jehan Lord of Heenvliet
Mother: Dorothea Helena Kirkoven Countess Derby
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Wotton of Boughton Place in Kent
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Wotton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Wotton 1st Baron Wotton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Wotton 2nd Baron Wotton
Grandmother: Katherine Wotton Countess Chesterfield