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: Gee of Hayfield
On 29th April 1697 [his father] Francis Gee (age 45) and [his mother] Margaret Booth were married. Somewhat speculative. Unknown source.
On or before 8th April 1698 Ralph Gee was born to [his father] Francis Gee (age 46) and [his mother] Margaret Booth. He was baptised at St Matthew's Church, Hayfield [Map] on 6th April 1698.
On 18th November 1710 [his mother] Margaret Booth died. She was buried at St Matthew's Church, Hayfield [Map].
11th September 1723. Will of [his father] Francis Gee of Kinder (age 71)
In the name of God Amen This Eleventh day of September 1723 I ffrancis Gee of Kinder in the Parish of Glossop in the County of Derby Yeoman. Being but weakly as to my body but of Sound mind and perfect Memory Praise be thereafter given to Almighty God, and knowing the Certainty of Death but the uncertainty of this present life and being willing to leave my house in order and to settle my worldly estate so as peace and unity may remain amongst my Children and relations after my decrease, Do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following ffirst I Commit my soul onto the hands of Almighty God hoping through the Death and Merits of Jesus Christ my Savior and Redeemer to obtain remission of the sin and eternal life. And my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named.
And as to my worldly Estate I dispose thereof as ffolloweth:
Inprimis I will that all my due debts ffuneral and Charges of the probate of this my last Will be first discharged and paid forth of my personal Estate.
Item I give devise & bequeath unto my Eldest Son Ralph Gee (age 25), all my Messuage (PREMISES) housing, Lands, and Tenements Lying in Kinder aforesaid or elsewhere as well as my New Lands as my Ancient Estate, with all their appurtenances To hold to my said son Ralph Gee his heirs and assigns forever Upon this Condition and Consideration never-the less that my said son Ralph Gee his heirs and assigns or some of them do and shall forth of the same, pay or cause to be paid unto his Sisters and Brothers these several Sums of money, and in such a manner following viz.
unto [his sister] Sarah (age 24) his Sister the Sum of Sixty pounds of lawful money at the end of two years [ ] after my decease.
And unto [his sister] Ann (age 21) his Sister the sum of Sixty pounds within the space of ffour Years next as for my decease.
And unto [his brother] John (age 17) his Brother the like Sum of Sixty pounds of lawful money when he shall have attained to the age of One and twenty Years,
And unto his brother [his brother] Daniel (age 14) the sum of Sixty pounds of like lawful money when he shall likewise have attained to the same age of One and twenty Years.
And it is my will and mind also that my said Younger Children (viz.) Sarah, Ann, John, and Daniel Shall all of them have liberty to the New Building both parlor and Chamber over the same, to Come to, or dwell in whilst they shall Keep themselves single and Unmarried.
Item I give unto my said son Ralph Gee, the Bed stead in the Parlor above, one table also and two fforms. And Dishboard and one great Chest in the dwelling house, and the ffire Iron there, one meal arke in the Chamber over the house and one garner at the Over Barn which I order to stand as Reire Coombs,
item I likewise give and bequeath to my said Son Ralph Gee the one half of my quick Goods and cattle, and all my Husbandry Wares,
Item I give and bequeath unto my two Daughters Sarah and Ann One box which was their Grandmothers Standing upon the Cup Board in the house with the Linens that are therein,
Item my will and mind is that the rest of the Household Goods not as yet disposed of be equally divided amongst my ffive Children Share and Share alike.
Item I give and bequeath unto my ffour younger Children the other half of my quick Goods and Cattle.
And as touching all my Moneys whether ready money, money at Interest howsoever I give and Bequeath the same to All my said Children Sons or Daughters to be equally divided amongst them. And lastly I do make Ordain Constitute and appoint my well beloved Son John Gee, and my loving kinsman ffrancis Gee of Chinley my full and Joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament hoping they will faithfully perform the trust I have herein [reposed] in them
And I desire that Brotherly love and Unity may remain amongst my beloved Children revoking all other and former Wills by me heretofore made, publishing this and none other to be my Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I the said ffrancis Gee have hereunto put my hand and seal the day and Year ffirst above written.
ffrancis Gee
Sealed, Signed Published and Declared by the Testator to be his last Will and Testament. In the presence of us, who likewise Subscribed our Names in the Sight and presence of the Testator.
Thomas BENNETT; John WATERHOUSE; William CARRINGTON
PROBATE GRANTED on the 28th January 1724 for Gee, Francis, of Kinder, Yeoman, 11 September 1723. Eldest son Ralph Gee, sisters Sarah & Ann Gee, brothers John and Daniel Gee, son John Gee of Chinley.
WITNESSES: Thomas BENNETT, John WATERHOUSE, William CARRINGTON.
APPRAISERS of Inventory: John MOULT & Edmund BRADBURY, 28th January 1723/1724: Total £273-7-0.
On or before October 1723 [his father] Francis Gee (age 71) died. Ralph Gee (age 25) inherited Ashes Farm, Kinder [Map].
Around 1736 Ralph Gee (age 37) and Sarah Fox were married.
On 20th January 1747 [his daughter] Margaret Gee was born to Ralph Gee (age 48) and [his wife] Sarah Fox. She married 25th May 1769 Samuel Marriott and had issue.
On 14th May 1750 [his son] Thomas Gee was born to Ralph Gee (age 52) and [his wife] Sarah Fox. He married 1779 Betty Bennett and had issue.
27th March 1752. GEE, Daniel, of Kinder, 27 Mar 1752.
Three children left by sister [his sister] Ann FROGATT (age 50), William (age 22), Ellwen (age 20) & Nathaniel (age 18) FROGAT; three children left by sister Sarah WOOD, Henry TAILOR Francis TAILOR & Joseph WOOD; nephew John GEE eldest son of brother [his brother] John GEE (age 46), brother Ralph GEE (age 53), brothers John GEE* & Ralph GEE*.
Witnesses: Walter? BRADBURY, J BRADBURY, John BADDELEY.
Appraiser of Inventory: Geo HIGENBOTTAM, 13 Apr 1752; Total £158-16-6.
Probate granted to Ralph GEE at Chesterfield 18 Oct 1752, power reserved for John GEE.
On 25th May 1769 [his son-in-law] Samuel Marriott and [his daughter] Margaret Gee (age 22) were married at All Saints Church, Glossop [Map]. Witnesses were John BRAY and John FOX. They resided at Hillhouses, Kinder [Map].
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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Around 1779 [his son] Thomas Gee (age 28) and [his daughter-in-law] Betty Bennett were married.
On 9th November 1780 Ralph Gee (age 82) died. [his son] Thomas Gee (age 30) inherited Ashes Farm, Kinder [Map].
14th July 1846. Probate for [his son] GEE, Thomas of Kinder, Yeoman, a widower, died 3rd April 1846. Natural and lawful son John GEE of Kinder [Note. Is this a mistake for Ralph Gee] in the township of Hayfield, Yeoman & one of the next of kin of the deceased, Samuel WASSE of Hayfield, Clerk & John MARRIOTT, of Hayfield, Yeoman. Administration was granted 14th July 1846. Estate Sworn as under the value of £200.
GrandFather: Ralph Gee of Ashes Farm
Father: Francis Gee
GrandMother: Anne Hurdsfield of Chapel-en-le Frith
Great x 2 Grandfather: Unamed Booth 
Great x 1 Grandfather: Unamed Booth
GrandFather: Thomas Booth of Kinder
Mother: Margaret Booth
GrandMother: Ann Marriott