This is a translation of the 'Memoires of Jacques du Clercq', published in 1823 in two volumes, edited by Frederic, Baron de Reissenberg. In his introduction Reissenberg writes: 'Jacques du Clercq tells us that he was born in 1424, and that he was a licentiate in law and a counsellor to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, in the castellany of Douai, Lille, and Orchies. It appears that he established his residence at Arras. In 1446, he married the daughter of Baldwin de la Lacherie, a gentleman who lived in Lille. We read in the fifth book of his Memoirs that his father, also named Jacques du Clercq, had married a lady of the Le Camelin family, from Compiègne. His ancestors, always attached to the counts of Flanders, had constantly served them, whether in their councils or in their armies.' The Memoires cover a period of nineteen years beginning in in 1448, ending in in 1467. It appears that the author had intended to extend the Memoirs beyond that date; no doubt illness or death prevented him from carrying out this plan. As Reissenberg writes the 'merit of this work lies in the simplicity of its narrative, in its tone of good faith, and in a certain air of frankness which naturally wins the reader’s confidence.' Du Clercq ranges from events of national and international importance, including events of the Wars of the Roses in England, to simple, everyday local events such as marriages, robberies, murders, trials and deaths, including that of his own father in Book 5; one of his last entries.
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Paternal Family Tree: Essex
Swæfred King of Essex was born to [his father] Sæbbi King of Essex.
In 664 Swithhelm King of Essex died. Sighere King of Essex succeeded King Essex. [his father] Sæbbi King of Essex (age 38) succeeded King Essex. They ruled jointly.
In 664 [his father] Sæbbi King of Essex (age 38) was appointed King Essex. He ruled jointly with his cousin Sighere King of Essex until 688 when Sighere King of Essex died after which he ruled solely.
Bede. 695. A stone coffin having been provided for burying [his father] his body (age 69), when they came to lay it in the same, they found his body a span longer than the coffin. Hereupon they hewed away the stone, and made the coffin about two fingers longer; but neither would it then contain the body. Under this difficulty of entombing him, they had thoughts either to get another coffin, or else to shorten the body, by bending it at the knees, if they could. But a wonderful event, caused by Providence, prevented the execution of either of those designs; for on a sudden, in the presence of the bishop, and [his brother] Sighard, the son of the king who had turned monk, and who reigned after him jointly with his brother Suefred, and of a considerable number of men, that same coffin was found to answer the length of the body, insomuch that a pillow might also be put in at the head; and at the feet the coffin was four fingers longer than the body. He was buried in the church of the blessed Apostle of the Gentiles [Map], by whose instructions he had learned to hope for heavenly things.
In 695 [his father] Sæbbi King of Essex (age 69) died. His son [his brother] Sigeheard succeeded King Essex. His son Swæfred succeeded King Essex. They ruled jointly.
In 709 [his brother] Sigeheard King of Essex died. His second cousin once removed Offa succeeded King Essex.
In 709 Swæfred King of Essex died. His second cousin once removed Offa succeeded King Essex.
Great x 2 Grandfather: Sledd King of Essex
Great x 1 Grandfather: King Sæberht of Essex
Great x 2 Grandmother: Ricula of Kent
GrandFather: Sexred King of Essex
Father: Sæbbi King of Essex