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: Woodville
Maternal Family Tree: Jeanne Sabran
1433 John Duke of Bedford marries Jacquetta Luxemburg
1464 Marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville
1465 Coronation of Elizabeth Woodville
24th July 1469 Battle of Edgecote Moor aka Danes Moor aka Banbury
1469 Execution of the Woodvilles
1472 Death of Jacquetta of Luxembourg
1483 Elizabeth Woodville takes Sanctuary at Westminster Abbey
On 22nd April 1433 John Duke Bedford [aged 43] and [his mother] Jacquetta Luxemburg [aged 18] were married at Thérouanne [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Bedford. The difference in their ages was 25 years. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol [aged 43] and [his grandmother] Margherita Baux [aged 39]. He the son of King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were half fifth cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
The marriage caused a rift with Philip "Good" Duke Burgundy [aged 36], John's late wife's brother, who regarded the marriage, some five months after his sister's death, an insult to her memory. There was no issue from the marriage with John dying a year and a half later.
Before 1437 [his father] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 31] and [his mother] Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol and [his grandmother] Margherita Baux [aged 42].
In 1447 Bishop Lionel Woodville was born to Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 42] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 32] in Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire [Map].
On 9th May 1448 [his father] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 43] was created 1st Baron Rivers by King Henry VI of England and II of France [aged 26]. [his mother] Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 33] by marriage Baroness Rivers.
On 9th August 1449 Richard Strange 3rd Baron Dunster 7th Baron Strange Knockin [aged 68] died. His son [his future brother-in-law] John [aged 6] succeeded 8th Baron Strange Knockin, 4th Baron Mohun of Dunster. [his sister] Jacquetta Woodville Baroness Strange and Mohun [aged 4] by marriage Baroness Strange Knockin, Baroness Mohun of Dunster.
On 27th March 1450 [his brother-in-law] John Strange 8th Baron Strange Knockin 4th Baron Mohun Dunster [aged 6] and [his sister] Jacquetta Woodville Baroness Strange and Mohun [aged 5] were married. She the daughter of [his father] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 45] and [his mother] Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 35]. They were sixth cousins.
Around 1454 [his brother-in-law] John Grey [aged 22] and [his sister] Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of [his father] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 49] and [his mother] Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 39].
On 20th July 1460 Thomas Scales 7th Baron Scales [aged 63] was murdered by boatmen whilst travelling from the Tower of London [Map] to Sanctuary, Westminster Abbey [Map]. His daughter [his future sister-in-law] Elizabeth succeeded 8th Baroness Scales. She was, or had been married to, Henry Bourchier (the year of his death may been 1458). She was in 1466 married to Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 20], brother of King Edward IV's [aged 18] wife Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England [aged 23]; an example of the Woodville family marrying rich heiresses.
On 1st May 1464 [his brother-in-law] King Edward IV of England [aged 22] and [his sister] Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England [aged 27] were married at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire [Map]. Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 49], Elizabeth's mother, being the only witness. The date not certain. She the daughter of Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 59] and Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford. He the son of Richard Plantagenet 3rd Duke of York and Cecily "Rose of Raby" Neville Duchess York [aged 48]. They were sixth cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England.
After 1st May 1464 [his brother] Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 24] and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Scales Countess Rivers were married. He by marriage Baron Scales. See Woodville Marriages. He the son of [his father] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 59] and [his mother] Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 49].
On 26th May 1465 [his sister] Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England [aged 28] was crowned Queen Consort England by Cardinal Thomas Bourchier [aged 47] at Westminster Abbey [Map].
[his brother-in-law] King Edward IV of England [aged 23] attended.
John Cheney 1st Baron Cheyne [aged 23], Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 25], Richard Woodville 3rd Earl Rivers [aged 12] and William Calthorpe [aged 55] were created Knight of the Bath.
Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey [aged 21] carried her train.
Richard Choke [aged 45] was created Knight of the Bath.
In 1466 [his brother-in-law] Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham [aged 11] and [his sister] Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford [aged 8] were married. She by marriage Duchess of Buckingham. See Woodville Marriages. She the daughter of [his father] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] and [his mother] Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 51].
On 17th February 1466 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Fitzalan 10th or 17th Earl of Arundel [aged 16] and [his sister] Margaret Woodville Countess Arundel [aged 12] were married. See Woodville Marriages. She the daughter of [his father] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] and [his mother] Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 51]. He the son of William Fitzalan 9th or 16th Earl of Arundel [aged 48] and Joan Neville Countess Arundel.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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Before March 1466 [his father] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 61] was created 1st Earl Rivers by [his brother-in-law] King Edward IV of England [aged 23].
On 27th July 1469 William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 46] was executed following his capture at the Battle of Edgecote Moor. His son [his brother-in-law] William [aged 18] succeeded 2nd Earl Pembroke, 2nd Baron Herbert of Raglan. [his sister] Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon [aged 13] by marriage Countess Pembroke.
On 12th August 1469 Woodvilles father and son were beheaded at Kenilworth Castle [Map] by supporters of Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury [aged 40].
Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 64] was beheaded. His son Anthony [aged 29] succeeded 2nd Earl Rivers, 2nd Baron Rivers. Elizabeth Scales Countess Rivers by marriage Countess Rivers.
John Woodville [aged 24] was beheaded.
On 30th May 1472 [his mother] Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford [aged 57] died. Not known where she was buried.
In November 1478 Bishop Lionel Woodville [aged 31] was appointed Dean of Exeter which he held until 1482.
Before October 1480 [his brother] Anthony Woodville 2nd Earl Rivers [aged 40] and [his sister-in-law] Mary Fitzlewis Countess Rivers [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Rivers. The difference in their ages was 25 years. He the son of [his father] Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers and [his mother] Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford.
Around 1481 [his sister] Mary Woodville Countess Pembroke and Huntingdon [aged 25] died.
On 21st April 1482 Bishop Lionel Woodville [aged 35] was consecrated as Bishop of Salisbury.
On 9th April 1483 [his brother-in-law] King Edward IV of England [aged 40] died at Westminster [Map]. His son [his nephew] Edward [aged 12] succeeded V King of England. Those present included [his sister] Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England [aged 46], William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings [aged 52] and Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset [aged 28].
On 17th April 1483 the coffin of [his former brother-in-law] Edward IV [deceased] was carried to Westminster Abbey [Map] by Edward Stanley 1st Baron Monteagle [aged 21], John Savage [aged 39], Thomas Wortley [aged 50], Thomas Molyneux [aged 38], probably John Welles 1st Viscount Welles [aged 33] who had married Edward's daughter Cecily), John Cheney 1st Baron Cheyne [aged 41], Walter Hungerford [aged 19], Guy Wolston [aged 50], John Sapcote [aged 35], Thomas Tyrrell [aged 30], John Risley, Thomas Dacre 2nd Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 15], John Norreys, Louis de Bretelles and John Comyn 4th Lord Baddenoch.
Those in the procession included:
Thomas St Leger [aged 43], widow of Edward's sister Anne.
William Parr [aged 49].
William Stonor [aged 33].
Henry Ferrers [aged 40].
James Radclyffe [aged 43].
George Browne [aged 43].
Gilbert Debenham [aged 51].
John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk [aged 58] walked in front of the coffin with Edward's personal arms.
John Marlow Abbot Bermondsey followed by:
Bishop Thomas Kempe [aged 93].
Bishop John Hales [aged 83] (Bishop of Chester?).
Bishop Robert Stillington [aged 63].
Bishop William Dudley [aged 58].
Cardinal John Morton [aged 63] (as Bishop of Ely).
Bishop Edmund Tuchet [aged 40] (as Bishop of Rochester).
Bishop Peter Courtenay, and.
Bishop Lionel Woodville [aged 36].
Archbishop Thomas Rotherham [aged 59] brought up the rear.
Cardinal Thomas Bourchier [aged 65], then Archbishop of Canterbury, took no part due to infirmity.
John de la Pole Earl Lincoln 1st [aged 21]; the King's nephew,.
William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings [aged 52].
Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset [aged 28].
William Herbert 2nd Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Huntingdon [aged 32] (some sources say Earl of Huntingindon?).
William Berkeley 1st Marquess Berkeley [aged 57].
Thomas Stanley 1st Earl of Derby [aged 48].
Richard Fiennes Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 68].
John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley [aged 82].
George Neville 4th and 2nd Baron Abergavenny [aged 43].
John Tuchet 6th Baron Audley, 3rd Baron Tuchet [aged 57].
Walter Devereux Baron Ferrers of Chartley [aged 51].
Edward Grey 1st Viscount Lisle [aged 51].
Henry Lovell 9th Baron Marshal 8th Baron Morley [aged 7].
Richard Woodville 3rd Earl Rivers [aged 30].
John Brooke 7th Baron Cobham [aged 35].
Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby [aged 50].
John Bourchier 6th Baron Ferrers of Groby [aged 45].
Around 3rd May 1483 [his sister] Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England [aged 46] took Sanctuary, Westminster Abbey [Map] with [his nephew] Richard of Shrewsbury 1st Duke of York [aged 9] and Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset [aged 28]. Her brother Bishop Lionel Woodville [aged 36] was with her.
On 13th June 1483 Richard, Duke of Gloucester [aged 30], [future King Richard III] held a Council meeting at the Tower of London [Map] attended by William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings [aged 52], Cardinal John Morton [aged 63], Archbishop Thomas Rotherham [aged 59] and [his brother-in-law] Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham [aged 28]. During the course of the meeting Richard accused William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings, Cardinal John Morton and Archbishop Thomas Rotherham of treasonable conspiracy with the [his sister] Queen [aged 46].
William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings was summarily beheaded at Tower Green, Tower of London [Map]. He was buried in North Aisle St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle [Map] next to King Edward IV of England. His son Edward [aged 16] succeeded 2nd Baron Hastings.
Cardinal John Morton and Archbishop Thomas Rotherham were arrested.
Around 23rd June 1484 Bishop Lionel Woodville [aged 37] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Malcolm III of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 14 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 17 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 9 Grand Son of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Woodville 
GrandFather: Richard Woodville
Father: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Bittelsgate
GrandMother: Joan Bittelsgate
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Beauchamp 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh Beauchamp
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Beauchamp
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Lisle 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Idonea Lisle
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Beauchamp
Bishop Lionel Woodville 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Waleran II of Luxemburg 
6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Luxemburg Lord of Ligby 7 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Guy of Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol and Ligny 8 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy of Dampierre Richebourg 
6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alix Dampierre 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Luxemburg Count St Pol 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Chatillon IV Count Saint Pol 3 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Jean Chatillon Count Saint Pol Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Capet 
Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mathilde Chatillon Countess Saint Pol 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Jean Fiennes 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jeanne Fiennes 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabelle Dampierre 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
GrandFather: Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Louis Count of Enghien
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Brienne
Mother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Francesco Baux 1st Duke Andria 
GrandMother: Margherita Baux 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Romano Orsini
Great x 3 Grandfather: Count Roberto Orsini 2 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anastasia Montfort Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Count Nicholas Orsini 3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Sueva del Balzo
Great x 1 Grandmother: Sueva Orsini 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Jeanne Sabran