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: Hastings
On 19th February 1672 [his father] Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (age 21) and Elizabeth Lewis Countess Huntingdon (age 18) were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. He the son of [his grandfather] Ferdinando Hastings 6th Earl Huntingdon and [his grandmother] Lucy Davies Countess Huntingdon (age 59).
Around 4th December 1679 Thomas Needham 6th Viscount Kilmorey (age 20) and [his mother] Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon (age 15) were married.
On 8th May 1690 [his father] Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (age 39) and [his mother] Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon (age 26) were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. He the son of [his grandfather] Ferdinando Hastings 6th Earl Huntingdon and [his grandmother] Lucy Davies Countess Huntingdon.
On 12th November 1696 Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon was born to [his father] Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (age 45) and [his mother] Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon (age 32).
On 30th May 1701 [his father] Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon (age 50) died. His son [his half-brother] George (age 24) succeeded 8th Earl Huntingdon, 13th Baron Botreaux, 12th Baron Hungerford, 10th Baron Moleyns and 10th Baron Hastings. [his half-sister] Elizabeth "Lady Betty" Hastings (age 19) received, after a legal dispute, in 1703, Ledston Hall and £3000 per year.
In 1704 [his half-brother] George Hastings 8th Earl Huntingdon (age 27) died. His half brother Theophilus (age 7) succeeded 9th Earl Huntingdon, 14th Baron Botreaux, 13th Baron Hungerford, 11th Baron Moleyns and 11th Baron Hastings. His sister [his half-sister] Elizabeth "Lady Betty" Hastings (age 21) inherited the his share of her grandfather John Lewis 1st Baronet's estates.
On 2nd October 1710 [his half-brother] Robert Needham 7th Viscount Kilmorey (age 27) died. His son [his nephew] Robert (age 8) succeeded 8th Viscount Kilmorey.
On 26th December 1723 [his mother] Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon (age 59) died.
On 3rd June 1728 Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon (age 31) and Selina Shirley Countess Huntingdon (age 21) were married. She by marriage Countess Huntingdon. The marriage was arranged by his half-sister Elizabeth "Lady Betty" Hastings (age 46). She the daughter of Washington Shirley 2nd Earl Ferrers (age 50) and Mary Levinge Countess Ferrers. He the son of Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon and Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon.
On 13th March 1729 [his son] Francis Hastings 10th Earl Huntingdon was born to Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon (age 32) and [his wife] Selina Shirley Countess Huntingdon (age 22).
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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On 23rd March 1731 [his daughter] Elizabeth Hastings Countess Moira was born to Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon (age 34) and [his wife] Selina Shirley Countess Huntingdon (age 24). She married August 1751 John Rawdon 1st Earl Moira and had issue.
In 1745 Andrea Soldi (age 42). Portrait of Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon (age 48) and [his wife] Selina Shirley Countess Huntingdon (age 38) and their two children.
Before 13th October 1746. Attributed to Joseph Highmore (age 54). Portrait belived to be of Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon (age 49).
On 13th October 1746 Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon (age 49) died. His son Francis (age 17) succeeded 10th Earl Huntingdon, 15th Baron Botreaux, 14th Baron Hungerford, 12th Baron Moleyns and 12th Baron Hastings.
After 13th November 1746. Hasting's Chapel, St Helen's Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch [Map]. Monument to Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon (deceased). The bust in the roundel of his wife Selina Shirley Countess Huntingdon (age 39) sculpted by John Michael Rysbrack (age 52). The monument was designed by William Kent. The obelisk sculpted by Joseph Pickford. The epitaph was written by Henry St John 1st Viscount Bolingbroke (age 68).
On 17th June 1791 [his former wife] Selina Shirley Countess Huntingdon (age 84) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 17 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 26 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 9 Grand Son of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Hastings 4th Earl Huntingdon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Hastings 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Port
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Port Countess Huntingdon
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Hastings 5th Earl Huntingdon 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Alexander Harrington 
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Harrington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Moton
Great x 2 Grandmother: Sarah Harrington
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Sidney 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Lucy Sidney
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Pakenham
GrandFather: Ferdinando Hastings 6th Earl Huntingdon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Stanley 4th Earl of Derby 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Howard Countess Derby 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ferdinando Stanley 5th Earl of Derby 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Clifford 2nd Earl of Cumberland 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Clifford Countess Derby Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Brandon Countess Cumberland 
Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stanley Countess Huntingdon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Spencer 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Spencer
Great x 4 Grandmother: Susan Knightley 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Spencer Countess Derby
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Kitson 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Kitson
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Donnington Countess Bath
Father: Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Davies of Chisgrove
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Davies
GrandMother: Lucy Davies Countess Huntingdon 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Tuchet 9th Baron Audley, 6th Baron Tuchet 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Tuchet 10th Baron Audley, 7th Baron Tuchet 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tuke Baroness Audley Heighley
Great x 2 Grandfather: George Tuchet 1st Earl Castlehaven 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Sneyd of Bradwell Cheshire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Sneyd Baroness Audley Heighley
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Tuchet 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Mervyn
Great x 2 Grandmother: Lucy Mervyn Baroness Audley and Tuchet
Theophilus Hastings 9th Earl Huntingdon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
GrandFather: Francis Leveson Fowler
Mother: Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon