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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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Bloomsbury Square, Camden, London, England, British Isles

Bloomsbury Square is in Bloomsbury.

On 8th November 1707 Samuel Barnardiston 1st Baronet [aged 87] died at his house in Bloomsbury Square. His nephew Samuel [aged 48] succeeded 2nd Baronet Barnardiston of Brightwell in Suffolk.

On 29th October 1722 George Thorold 1st Baronet [aged 56] died without suriving issue at Bloomsbury Square. His brother Samuel [aged 49] succeeded 2nd Baronet Thorold of Harmston.

Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, Bloomsbury Square, Camden, London, England, British Isles

54 Hunter Street, Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury Square, Camden, London, England, British Isles

On 8th February 1819 John Ruskin was born to John James Ruskin [aged 34] and Margaret Cock [aged 38] at 54 Hunter Street, Brunswick Square. He married 10th April 1848 Euphemia "Effie" Gray Lady Millais.

Endell Street, Bloomsbury, Bloomsbury Square, Camden, London, England, British Isles

St Gile's Workshouse, Bloomsbury, Endell Street, Bloomsbury Square, Camden, London, England, British Isles [Map]

In 1884 Simeon Solomon [aged 43] was admitted to the St Gile's Workshouse, Bloomsbury [Map].

On 14th August 1905 Simeon Solomon [aged 64] died in the dining-room of St Gile's Workshouse, Bloomsbury [Map] from complications brought on by alcoholism. He was buried at Willesden Cemetery.

"Inquest." The Times, 18 August 1905:

Mr. Walter Schroder held an inquest at St. Giles's Coroner's Court yesterday regarding the death of Simeon Solomon, aged 63, bachelor, an oil-painter, who was described as of the pre-Raphaelite school and at one time an associate of Rossetti and Burne-Jones. Solomon, according to his cousin, Mr. G. J. Nathan, of late years had led an intemperate and irregular life. The witness last saw him alive in May, when he gave him an outfit of clothes and money. He also gave him a commission for a drawing which was never executed. People highly placed in society would have liked him to paint pictures for them, but he could not be relied on to execute any commission. Other evidence showed that Solomon had been "off and on" an inmate of St. Giles's Workhouse during the past five years. On Wednesday, May 24 last, after the visit to his cousin, he was found lying on the footpath in Great Turnstile, High Holborn. He complained of illness and was conveyed to King's College Hospital, whence he was transferred to St. Giles's Workhouse. He was then suffering from bronchitis and alcoholism. He remained in the house, and on Monday morning last suddenly expired in the dining hall from, as Dr. A. C. Allen, the medical officer testified, heart failure consequent on aortic disease of that organ and other ailments. The jury returned a verdict accordingly. It was stated that a picture by the deceased recently sold at Christie's realised 250 guineas and that in former days several of his paintings were exhibited at the Royal Academy.

Southampton House, Bloomsbury Square, Camden, London, England, British Isles

John Evelyn's Diary. 21st July 1664. I dined with my Lord Treasurer [aged 57] at Southampton House, where his Lordship used me with singular humanity. I went in the afternoon to Chelsea, to wait on the Duke of Ormond [aged 53], and returned to London.

John Evelyn's Diary. 29th June 1670. To London, in order to my niece's marriage, Mary, daughter to my late brother Richard, of Woodcot, with the eldest son of Mr. Attorney Montague, which was celebrated at Southampton-House chapel, after which a magnificent entertainment, feast, and dancing, dinner and supper, in the great room there; but the bride was bedded at my sister's lodging, in Drury-Lane.

On 27th September 1735 Diana Spencer Duchess Bedford [aged 25] died at Southampton House.

Southampton Street, Bloomsbury Square, Camden, London, England, British Isles

In 1668 John Hayls [aged 68] moved from Southampton Street, Bloomsbury Square to Long Acre.

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Chronicle of the Abbey of Evesham

The Chronicle of the Abbey of Evesham is a remarkable medieval history of one of England’s great Benedictine monasteries. Beginning with the abbey’s legendary and royal foundations, it traces the fortunes of Evesham through centuries of religious devotion, political conflict, legal struggle, rebuilding, reform, and royal patronage. At the heart of the chronicle is the abbey’s determination to defend its ancient liberties. Its monks record disputes with bishops, appeals to popes and papal legates, contested elections of abbots, lawsuits over lands and privileges, and the long struggle to preserve Evesham’s exemption from episcopal control. Alongside these institutional battles are vivid accounts of saints and miracles, including St Ecgwine, St Odulf and the royal martyr St Wistan, whose relics and cult formed an important part of the abbey’s identity. The chronicle also preserves a wealth of detail about everyday monastic life. It describes the building and repair of churches, cloisters, chapels, halls, mills, granges and fishponds; the acquisition of estates and revenues; the making of vestments, shrines, bells and liturgical books; and the provision of food, clothing, recreation and medical care for the monks. Successive abbots emerge not merely as religious superiors but as administrators, builders, patrons, diplomats and defenders of the community. Extending into the later Middle Ages, the narrative reflects the changing political world around Evesham, from the Norman Conquest and the Angevin kings to the Wars of the Roses and the reign of Henry VIII. The result is both a history of a single monastery and a richly detailed record of medieval English religious, legal, economic and political life. This edition offers modern readers direct access to one of the most important monastic chronicles of medieval England, revealing how the monks of Evesham understood their saints, their privileges, their rulers and their place in history.

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On 21st January 1710 John Ashburnham 1st Baron Ashburnham [aged 54] died at Southampton Street, Bloomsbury Square. His son William [aged 30] succeeded 2nd Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex. Catherine Taylor by marriage Baroness Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex.

Southampton Market, Southampton Street, Bloomsbury Square, Camden, London, England, British Isles

Cake House, Southampton Market, Southampton Street, Bloomsbury Square, Camden, London, England, British Isles

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 16th April 1667. Thence took them all to the Cake-house, in Southampton Market-place, where Pierce told us the story how, in good earnest, [the King [aged 36]] is offended with the Duke of Richmond's [aged 28] marrying, and Mrs. Stewart's [aged 19] sending the King his jewels again. As she tells it, it is the noblest romance and example of a brave lady that ever I read in my life. Pretty to hear them talk of yesterday's play, and I durst not own to my wife to have seen it.