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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: Lindsay
On 15th October 1611 John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford was born to Robert Lindsay 9th Lord Lindsay of the Byres [aged 36].
On 9th July 1616 [his father] Robert Lindsay 9th Lord Lindsay of the Byres [aged 41] died.
On 16th June 1622 [his future brother-in-law] James Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton [aged 15] and Margaret aka Mary Feilding [aged 9] were married. She the daughter of William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh [aged 35] and Susan Villiers Countess Denbigh [aged 39]. He the son of James Hamilton 2nd Marquess Hamilton [aged 33] and [his future mother-in-law] Ann Cunningham Marchioness Hamilton [aged 37].
Around 1630 John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford [aged 18] and Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford [aged 18] were married. She the daughter of James Hamilton 2nd Marquess Hamilton and Ann Cunningham Marchioness Hamilton [aged 45]. They were sixth cousins.
On 8th May 1633 John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford [aged 21] was created 1st Earl Lindsay. [his wife] Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford [aged 21] by marriage Countess Lindsay.
In April 1644 [his son] William Lindsay 18th Earl Crawford 2nd Earl Lindsay was born to John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford [aged 32] and [his wife] Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford [aged 32].
In 1648 [his son-in-law] John Hamilton 4th Earl Haddington [aged 22] and Christian Lindsay Countess Haddington were married. She by marriage Countess Haddington. She the daughter of John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford [aged 36] and Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford [aged 36]. He the son of Thomas Hamilton 2nd Earl Haddington and Catherine Erskine. They were fourth cousin twice removed.
On 1st January 1648 [his son-in-law] John Leslie 1st Duke Rothes [aged 18] and Anne Lindsay were married. She by marriage Countess Rothes. She the daughter of John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford [aged 36] and Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford [aged 36]. He the son of John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes and Anne Erskine Countess of Rothes. They were fourth cousin twice removed.
In 1652 John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford [aged 40] succeeded 17th Earl Crawford. [his wife] Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford [aged 40] by marriage Countess Crawford.
In 1653 [his son] Patrick Lindsay was born to John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford [aged 41].
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 11th May 1660. Up very early in the morning, and so about a great deal of business in order to our going hence to-day. Burr going on shore last night made me very angry. So that I sent for Mr. Pitts to come to me from the Vice-Admiral's [aged 45], intending not to have employed Burr any more. But Burr by and by coming and desiring humbly that I would forgive him and Pitts not coming I did set him to work. This morning we began to pull down all the State's arms in the fleet, having first sent to Dover for painters and others to come to set up the King's [aged 29]. The rest of the morning writing of letters to London which I afterwards sent by Dunne. I had this morning my first opportunity of discoursing with Dr. Clarke1, whom I found to be a very pretty man and very knowing. He is now going in this ship to the King. There dined here my Lord Crafford [aged 48] and my Lord Cavendish [aged 20], and other Scotchmen whom I afterwards ordered to be received on board the Plymouth, and to go along with us. After dinner we set sail from the Downs, I leaving my boy to go to Deal, Kent [Map] for my linen. In the afternoon overtook us three or four gentlemen; two of the Berties, and one Mr. Dormerhoy, a Scotch gentleman, whom I afterwards found to be a very fine man, who, telling my Lord that they heard the Commissioners were come out of London to-day, my Lord dropt anchor over against Dover Castle [Map] (which give us about thirty guns in passing), and upon a high debate with the Vice and Rear Admiral whether it were safe to go and not stay for the Commissioners, he did resolve to send Sir R. Stayner [aged 35] to Dover, to enquire of my Lord Winchelsea, whether or no they are come out of London, and then to resolve to-morrow morning of going or not; which was done. It blew very hard all this night that I was afeard of my boy. About 11 at night came the boats from Deal, with great store of provisions, by the same token John Goods told me that above 20 of the fowls are smothered, but my boy was put on board the Northwich. To bed.
Note 1. Timothy Clarke, M. D., one of the original Fellows of the Royal Society. He was appointed one of the physicians in ordinary to Charles II on the death of Dr. Quartermaine in 1667.
In 1666 [his wife] Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford [aged 54] died.
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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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After 31st August 1669 [his daughter] Christian Lindsay Countess Haddington died.
In 1678 John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford [aged 66] died. His son William [aged 33] succeeded 18th Earl Crawford, 2nd Earl Lindsay.
[his daughter] Christian Lindsay Countess Haddington was born to John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford and Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford. She married 1648 her fourth cousin twice removed John Hamilton 4th Earl Haddington, son of Thomas Hamilton 2nd Earl Haddington and Catherine Erskine, and had issue.
[his daughter] Anne Lindsay Duchess Rothes was born to John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford and Margaret Hamilton Countess Lindsay and Crawford. She married 1st January 1648 her fourth cousin twice removed John Leslie 1st Duke Rothes, son of John Leslie 6th Earl Rothes and Anne Erskine Countess of Rothes, and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 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 8 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Robert II of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Philip IV of France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 14 Grand Son of Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Lindsay 4th Lord Lindsay of the Byres 2 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Lindsay Master of Lindsay 3 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Lindsay 5th Lord Lindsay of the Byres 4 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 1 Grandfather: Patrick Lindsay 6th Lord Lindsay of the Byres 5 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart 1st Earl Atholl
2 x Great Grandson of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Stewart 2nd Earl Atholl
3 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Sinclair Countess Atholl 2 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 2 Grandmother: Helen Stewart
4 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Archibald Campbell 2nd Earl Argyll 3 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Janet Campbell Countess Atholl 4 x Great Granddaughter of King Robert II of Scotland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stewart Countess Argyll
10 x Great Granddaughter of King David I of Scotland
Grandfather: James Lindsay 7th Lord Lindsay of the Byres 6 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland
Father: Robert Lindsay 9th Lord Lindsay of the Byres 7 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland
John Lindsay 1st Earl Lindsay 17th Earl Crawford 8 x Great Grandson of King Robert II of Scotland