Jean de Venette - The Chronicle

The Chronicle

The Chronicle is a narrative of several historical events spanning the years of 1340 and 1368, written as early as 1340, until Jean de Venette’s death at or soon after the year 1368. When it was first published in the Spicilegium, vol. 3, it was published with another chronicle by William of Nangis. The Chronicle was later translated into English by Jean Birdsall, and was published under the same title in 1953. As many of the portions were recorded contemporaneously and in a chronological fashion, it gives a very reliable first hand account of several historical events. A copy is in the form of a Manuscript on vellum from the mid-fifteenth century, containing 232 pages written in letters in columns. The titles are in red, and the letters painted in gold & turners in color. It is decorated with seven miniatures that are in monochrome gray.

A more recent translation, The Chronicle of Jean de Venette, by Jean Birdsall, late Associate Professor of History Vassar College, Edited by Richard A. Newhall, Brown Professor of European History Williams College, holds the opinion that Guillaume (William) de Nangis is neither the primary chronicler nor the Second Continuator, so, although there is a conflicting opinion as to the later authorships, Jean de Venette seems to be the primary chronicler. The facts seem to indicate a dual authorship from 1340 to 1368. During the years 1358-1359 the entries were contemporary with the events recorded; the earlier portion of the work, if it was begun as early as 1340, was subjected to revision later, though Venette himself states on the first page of his chronicle (1340) he is recording events "...in great measure as I have seen and heard them."

The Chronicle begins in the year 1340 at which time Jean de Venette talks about the revelations of a (unnamed) priest who was held prisoner by the Saracens for 13 years and freed in 1309 who foretold of a vison of a great famine which would occur in 1315 and other horrible things which were to happen thereafter. Venette states that he was seven or eight in this year and indeed the famine did occur exactly as predicted and lasted two years. He then tells the background of the fight for the crown of France after the death of Philip the Fair and the claims of Edward I of England to that throne, thus describing the background to the beginning of the Hundred Years' War. His history is detailed and precise. He also describes the Battle of Crecy in 1356, The Peasant's War, and the siege of Calais, again with great detail.