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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Around 1501 Bishop George Day was born.
On 19th September 1522 Bishop George Day [aged 21] became a Fellow of St John's College, Cambridge University [Map].
In 1537 Bishop George Day [aged 36] became Master of St John's College, Cambridge University [Map].
In 1543 Bishop George Day [aged 42] was consecrated Bishop of Chichester by Archbishop Thomas Cranmer [aged 53].
Diary of Edward VI. 5th April 1550. The bishop of Chichestre3, befor a vehement affirmer of transubstantiation, did preach against (it) at Whestmuster in the preching place.
Removing to Grenwich from Whestmuster.
Note 3. George Day [aged 49], already noticed in p. 37 of the present volume.
In October 1551 Bishop George Day [aged 50] was deprived of the Bishopric of Chichester.
Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. The morrowe, beinge Thursday the 10 of August [1553], the Quenes highnes had a solemne masse of Requiem songe within the chappell in the Tower for the Kinge; hir Highnes offringe at the masse with all her ladyes and gentlewomen.
Allso this day the corps of the Kinges Maiestie was solemnely caryed from Whitehall, at Westminster, to the minster of St. Peters Church, where was a rich hearse made like an imperiall crowne without lightes afore the steps where the high aulter stoode; where his Highnes body remayned, till the Communion seruice and a sermon made by Doctor Day [aged 52], Bishop of Chichester, was done; and then the corps was honourably conveyed from thence up into the chappell, where Kinge Henry the VIIth lyeth, where the Kinges Majesties body was buryed. The solemnity of the offringe by the estates, mourners, and other was lyke the enterment of Kinge Henry the VIII his father, savinge the seruice of the Communion and buryall, which was all in Englishe, without any copes or vestmentes, but onely surples, accordinge to the Booke of Common Prayer last sett forth by Act of Parliament.
And this day was a great dole of mony geven within euery warde within the City of London, euery poore house-hould havinge viii d. the peece.
Before 30th September 1553 Bishop George Day [aged 52] was restored to the Bishopric of Chichester.
On 30th September 1553 Queen Mary I of England and Ireland [aged 37] made her formal journey from the Tower of London [Map] to Westminster Abbey [Map]. She was accompanied by Mary Roper [aged 30].
Bishop George Day [aged 52] preached.
On 2nd August 1556 Bishop George Day [aged 55] died.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Henry Machyn's Diary. Before 5th August 1556. The (blank) day of August was bered the bysshope of Chechastur doctur Day [deceased], with armes, in the contrey.
Note. Death of bishop Day. George Day, D.D. bishop of Chichester, consecrated in 1543. He was buried in his own cathedral. See a memoir of him in Dallaway's City of Chichester, 4to. 1815, p. 72. He refused to assent to the destruction of altars in 1550 (Archæologia, xviii. 149), and in 1553 was summoned to preach the sermon at queen Mary's coronation (ibid. 174).
Henry Machyn's Diary. After 5th August 1556. The (blank) day of August ded [died] ij bysshops, the bysshope of Chechastur Day [deceased], and the bysshope of Wosseter doctur Belle sumtyme bysshope.
Note. P. 112. Funeral of doctor John Bell, formerly bishop of Worcester. His sepulchral brass, formerly in Clerkenwell church, is now in Parliament Street; a small copy is engraved by Malcolm, Londinium Redivivum, iii. 212. See the epitaph in Stowe and the other Histories of London.