Jean Le Bel

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Jean Le Bel (c. 1290, Flanders - February 15, 1370 Liège) was a Medieval Flemish chronicler.

Le Bel was one of the first chroniclers to write in French instead of Latin. He was a soldier and companion of Jean, Count de Beaumont and travelled with him to England and Scotland in 1327. At the request of the duke, he wrote Vrayes Chroniques ("True Chronicles"), which recorded the events of the reign of Edward III. He is believed to be the first person to use interviews to confirm and supplement his facts. Jean Froissart was greatly influenced by him and borrowed from his texts.

Le Bel remained relatively unknown in more modern times until 1861 because only fragments of his work were known to exist until that time. A complete edition of his chronicles was finally published in 1863.