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: Calthorpe
On 30th January 1410 William Calthorpe was born to John Calthorpe [aged 31].
In 1431 [his son] John Calthorpe was born to William Calthorpe [aged 20] and [his future wife] Elizabeth Grey [aged 25].
Before 1434 William Calthorpe [aged 23] and Elizabeth Grey [aged 27] were married.
In 1437 [his wife] Elizabeth Grey [aged 31] died.
After 1441 William Calthorpe [aged 30] and Elizabeth Stapleton were married. Her father Miles Stapleton of Ightham in Norfolk [aged 31] settled the manor of Hempstead, Norfolk, upon Elizabeth. The difference in their ages was 30 years.
In 1442 William Calthorpe [aged 31] was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk and High Sheriff of Suffolk.
In 1457 [his daughter] Anne Calthorpe was born to William Calthorpe [aged 46] and [his wife] Elizabeth Stapleton [aged 16]. She married before 1494 Robert Drury and had issue.
In 1458 William Calthorpe [aged 47] was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk and High Sheriff of Suffolk.
In 1464 William Calthorpe [aged 53] was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk and High Sheriff of Suffolk.
On 26th May 1465 Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England [aged 28] was crowned Queen Consort England by Cardinal Thomas Bourchier [aged 47] at Westminster Abbey [Map].
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 1469 [his son] John Calthorpe [aged 38] died.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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In 1476 William Calthorpe [aged 65] was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk and High Sheriff of Suffolk.
Before 1494 [his son-in-law] Robert Drury [aged 39] and [his daughter] Anne Calthorpe [aged 36] were married.
On 15th November 1494 William Calthorpe [aged 84] died.
Before 18th February 1505 Edward Howard [aged 29] and [his former wife] Elizabeth Stapleton [aged 64] were married. The difference in their ages was 35 years; she, unusually, being older than him. He the son of Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk [aged 62] and Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey.
On 18th February 1505 [his former wife] Elizabeth Stapleton [aged 64] died.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Calthorpe was born to William Calthorpe and Elizabeth Grey. She married in or before 1515 Francis Haselden of Guilden Morden in Cambridgeshire and had issue.
[his son] Francis Calthorpe was born to William Calthorpe and Elizabeth Stapleton. He married before 1544 Elizabeth Barney.
Kings Wessex: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 10 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 16 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 11 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King John of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 21 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 14 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 18 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Calthorpe 
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Calthorpe 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Lovell 1st Baron Lovel 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Lovell 2nd Baron Lovel 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Ros Baroness Lovel 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabel Lovell 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Phillip Burnell 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Burnell Baroness Lovel and Burnell 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda aka Maud Fitzalan 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
GrandFather: William Calthorpe 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Father: John Calthorpe 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
William Calthorpe 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England