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: Radclyffe
Before 12th June 1573 [his father] Henry Radclyffe 4th Earl of Sussex [aged 41] and [his mother] Honora Pound Viscountess Fitzwalter were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Henry Radclyffe 2nd Earl of Sussex and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Howard.
On 12th June 1573 Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex was born to [his father] Henry Radclyffe 4th Earl of Sussex [aged 41] and [his mother] Honora Pound Viscountess Fitzwalter.
Around 1580 based on a work of 1565.Unknown Painter. Portrait of Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 6] wearing his Garter Collar and holding the Lord Treasurer Staff of Office.
On 9th June 1583 [his uncle] Thomas Radclyffe 3rd Earl of Sussex [aged 58] died. His brother [his father] Henry [aged 51] succeeded 4th Earl of Sussex, 4th Viscount Fitzwalter, 13th Baron Fitzwalter. [his mother] Honora Pound Viscountess Fitzwalter by marriage Countess of Sussex.
On 14th December 1593 [his father] Henry Radclyffe 4th Earl of Sussex [aged 61] died. He was buried at Boreham, Essex [Map]. His son Robert [aged 20] succeeded 5th Earl of Sussex, 5th Viscount Fitzwalter, 14th Baron Fitzwalter.
On 14th July 1596 the English burned Cádiz and the next day they left the bay, taking the hostages with them since the Spanish authorities had not been able to pay the ransom. The sacking of Cádiz in 1596 was one of the worst Spanish defeats in the course of the war, together with the attack on Cádiz of 1587 and the loss of the Armada in 1588. The economic losses produced by the Earl of Essex's expedition against the city and the anchored fleet in the port, estimated at 5 million ducats,contributed to the bankruptcy of the royal treasury that same year. The city of Cádiz remained devastated; in addition to the churches and hospitals, 290 out of a total of 1,303 houses burned.
Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 23] was knighted by Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex [aged 30] for the taking of Cadiz.
Governor Thomas Gates was knighted by Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex for his bravery.
In 1599 Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 25] was appointed 388th Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland [aged 65].
Before 12th October 1602 Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 29] and Bridget Morrison Countess Sussex were married. She by marriage Countess of Sussex. He the son of Henry Radclyffe 4th Earl of Sussex and Honora Pound Viscountess Fitzwalter.
On 9th February 1608 [his son-in-law] John Ramsay, Viscount Haddington [aged 28] and Elizabeth Radclyffe were married at Whitehall Palace [Map]. She by marriage Viscountess Haddington. She the daughter of Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 34] and Bridget Morrison Countess Sussex.
James I [aged 41] gave the bride away and sent the bride a gold cup containing a grant of lands worth an income of £600 per year, also paid off Ramsay's debts of £10,000.
The marriage was celebrated with the Masque of The Hue and Cry After Cupid in the evening at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map] written by Ben Johnson [aged 36].
The principal masquers, nobles and gentlemen of the Court, appeared in the guise of the twelve signs of the Zodiac; the men, five English and seven Scottish courtiers, were:
Ludovic Stewart 2nd Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond [aged 33].
Thomas Howard 14th or 21st Earl of Arundel 4th Earl of Surrey 1st Earl Norfolk [aged 22].
Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery [aged 23].
William Herbert 3rd Earl Pembroke [aged 27].
Esmé Stewart 3rd Duke Lennox [aged 29].
Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 25].
James Hay 1st Earl Carlisle [aged 28].
Robert Crichton 8th Lord Sanquhar.
John Kennedy, Master of Mar.
Robert Rich 2nd Earl Warwick [aged 20].
Mr Erskine.
In 1609 [his daughter] Jane Radclyffe was born to Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 35] and [his wife] Bridget Morrison Countess Sussex. She married before 1629 Alexander Radclyffe of Ordsall.
On 4th November 1616 King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 15] was created Prince of Wales. Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 43] carried the Purple Ermined Robe.
James Wriothesley [aged 11], brothers Robert Howard [aged 32] and William Howard, George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley [aged 15], Henry Carey 1st Viscount Falkland [aged 41] and John Cavendish were appointed Knight of the Bath.
On 6th December 1618 [his daughter] Elizabeth Radclyffe Viscountess Haddington died of smallpox. She was buried at New Hall, Essex.
Around 1623 [his wife] Bridget Morrison Countess Sussex died.
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 1 Chapters 1-60 1307-1342
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel offer one of the most vivid and immediate accounts of 14th-century Europe, written by a knight who lived through the events he describes, and experienced some of them first hand. Covering the early decades of the Hundred Years’ War, this remarkable chronicle follows the campaigns of Edward III of England, the politics of France and the Low Countries, and the shifting alliances that shaped medieval warfare. Unlike later historians, Jean le Bel writes with a strong sense of eyewitness authenticity, drawing on personal experience and the testimony of fellow soldiers. His narrative captures not only battles and sieges, but also the realities of military life, diplomacy, and the ideals of chivalry that governed noble society. A key source for Jean Froissart, Le Bel’s chronicle stands on its own as a compelling and insightful work, at once historical record and literary achievement. This translation builds on the 1905 edition published in French by Jules Viard, adding extensive translations from other sources Rymer's Fœdera, the Chronicles of Adam Murimuth, William Nangis, Walter of Guisborough, a Bourgeois of Valenciennes, Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke and Richard Lescot to enrich the original text and Viard's notes.
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In DEc 1623 Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 50] and Frances Meautys Countess of Sussex [aged 38] were married. She by marriage Countess of Sussex. He the son of Henry Radclyffe 4th Earl of Sussex and Honora Pound Viscountess Fitzwalter.
On 2nd February 1626 King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 25] was crowned I King England Scotland and Ireland at Westminster Abbey [Map] by Archbishop George Abbott [aged 63]. His wife Henrietta Maria [aged 16] was not crowned since she being Catholic refused to attend an Anglican service. She watched Charles at a discreet distance.
Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 52] carried the Orb.
Francis Talbot 11th Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 3] bore the Second Sword of State.
Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery [aged 41] carried the Spurs.
Francis Manners 6th Earl of Rutland [aged 48] bore the Rod with the Dove.
William Cavendish 3rd Earl Devonshire [aged 8], James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby [aged 19], James Howard 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 6], Roger Palmer [aged 49] and Mildmay Fane 2nd Earl of Westmoreland [aged 24], John Maynard [aged 34] were appointed Knight of the Bath.
John Rayney 1st Baronet [aged 25] was knighted.
On 18th November 1627 [his wife] Frances Meautys Countess of Sussex [aged 42] died.
Before 1629 [his son-in-law] Alexander Radclyffe of Ordsall [aged 20] and Jane Radclyffe [aged 19] were married. She the daughter of Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 55] and Bridget Morrison Countess Sussex.
On 22nd September 1629 Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 56] died at Clerkenwell [Map]. His first cousin once removed Edward [aged 70] succeeded 6th Earl of Sussex, 6th Viscount Fitzwalter. His half first cousin Henry [aged 44] de jure 15th Baron Fitzwalter.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Radclyffe Viscountess Haddington was born to Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex and Bridget Morrison Countess Sussex. She married 9th February 1608 John Ramsay 1st Earl Holderness.
Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 22 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 16 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 19 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Radclyffe 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Radclyffe Baron Fitzwalter 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Burnell 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Radclyffe 9th Baron Fitzwalter 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Fitzwalter 7th Baron Fitzwalter 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzwalter Baroness Dinham 8th Baroness Fitzwalter 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Whetehill
GrandFather: Henry Radclyffe 2nd Earl of Sussex 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 1st Duke of Buckingham 
Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humphrey Stafford 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Neville Duchess Buckingham 
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset 
Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Beaufort 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Beauchamp Duchess Somerset 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stafford Countess Sussex 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Bittelsgate
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margherita Baux 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Father: Henry Radclyffe 4th Earl of Sussex 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Howard 
3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Howard 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Tendring
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Mowbray 1st Duke of Norfolk 
2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Mowbray Baroness Grey Ruthyn 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzalan Duchess Norfolk 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Moleyns
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Moleyns 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Beaumont 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Moleyns 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
GrandMother: Elizabeth Howard 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick Tilney 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip Tilney
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh Tilney
Great x 1 Grandmother: Agnes Tilney Duchess Norfolk
Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Anthony Pound
Mother: Honora Pound Viscountess Fitzwalter