Froissart's Chronicles

Froissart's Chronicles (or Chronicles) were written in French by Jean Froissart, chronicling the years 1322 until 1400, and describing the conditions that created the Hundred Years' War, as well as the first fifty years of the war. For centuries it has been recognized as the chief expression of the chivalric revival of 14th century England and France.

Froissart first wrote a rhyming chronicle for Philippa of Hainault that is now lost. He began Book I of the surviving chronicle in 1369 at the insistence of Robert de Namur. He finished it in 1373; his own experiences, combined with those of interviewed witnesses, supply much of the detail. Froissart was an eye-witness to the events of the Siege of Paris. Although Froissart may never have been in a battle, he visited Sluys in 1386 to see the preparations for an invasion of England. He was present at other significant events such as the baptism of Richard II.

The other important source for the early part of the chronicle was the Vrayes Chroniques of Jean Le Bel, of which Froissart directly copied large parts. Le Bel wrote his chronicle for Jean, lord of Beaumont; and Jean's grandson, Guy II, Count of Blois. He later became the patron of Book II of Froissart's Chronicles. This second volume of Froissart's Chronicles was completed in 1388 and is entirely Froissart's work. Book III was completed in 1390 and Book IV in 1400.

Some of the important events recorded in Froissart's Chronicles: Book I 1322–1377

Edward II deposed and accession of Edward III
Execution of Hugh the younger Despenser
Battle of Sluys
Battle of Crécy
The Siege of Calais
Battle of Neville's Cross
The founding of the Order of the Garter
The Black Death
Battle of Les Espagnols sur Mer, a sea battle off Winchelsea
Battle of Poitiers
Étienne Marcel leads a merchant revolt in Paris
The Jacquerie
The Death of King John II of France
The end of Edward III reign

Book II 1376–1385

The Great Schism
The Peasants' Revolt
The Battle of Roosebeke
The marriage of Charles VI to Isabella of Bavaria

Book III 1386–1388

The French preparations for an aborted invasion of England
The final trial by combat ordered by French courts between Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris
Richard II in conflict with his uncles
The Battle of Otterburn

Book IV 1389–1400

A festival in honor of Isabeau of Bavaria
A tournament in Smithfield held by Richard II
The death of Gaston III of Foix-Béarn
The madness of Charles VI
Richard II deposed and accession of Henry IV
Battle of Nicopol and massacre of the prisoners