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: Savoy
Maternal Family Tree: Leonor de Alvim
On 8th April 1521 [his father] Charles 3rd Duke Savoy [aged 34] and [his mother] Beatrice Aviz Duchess Savoy [aged 16] were married. She the daughter of richest monarch in Europe at the time [his grandfather] Manuel "Fortunate" I King Portugal [aged 51]. They had nine children together but only one Emmanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy would reach adulthood. She the daughter of Manuel "Fortunate" I King Portugal and [his grandmother] Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of Philip "Landless" Savoy II Duke Savoy and Claudine Brosse.
On 8th July 1528 Emmanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy was born to Charles 3rd Duke Savoy [aged 41] and Beatrice Aviz Duchess Savoy [aged 23] at Chambéry.
On 8th January 1538 [his mother] Beatrice Aviz Duchess Savoy [aged 33] died.
On 29th April 1550 [his future wife] Margaret Valois Duchess Berry and Savoy [aged 26] was created Duchess Berry.
On 17th August 1553 [his father] Charles 3rd Duke Savoy [aged 66] died. His son Emmanuel [aged 25] succeeded Duke Savoy.
In 1554 Emmanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy [aged 25] was appointed 333rd Knight of the Garter by Queen Mary I of England and Ireland [aged 37].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 25th June 1554. The sam day cam to Londun by water the prynche of Pymon [aged 25] with a grett compeny of Spaneards; sum had crosses, sum red, and sum gren, and sum whyt, and so to (unfinished).
Note. P. 66. Prince of Piedmont. Though our diarist mentions this prince twice in this page, some mistake may be suspected. The prince really arrived in December, as afterwards mentioned in p. 79. Probably the person who came in June was his ambassador.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 29th June 1554. The xxix day of Juin, the wyche was sant Peter and Powlles day, was a fayre at Westmynster abbay; and ther was a goodly pressessyon, and after masse; and ther the prynse of Pymon [aged 25] and dyvers Spaneards, and hard messe [heard mass] in kyng Henry the vij chapelle [Map].
Chronicle of Greyfriars. 17th December 1554. Item the xvij. of the same monyth came in the prince of [Piedmont1] at after-none by watter, and soo to the cortte.
Note 1. See Machyn, pp. 79, 341. Emanuel Philibert [aged 26], Prince of Piedmont, and duke of Savoy, had been the first person elected into the order of the garter in the reign of queen Mary. He was cousin -german to king Philip by their mothers, and it was contemplated that he should marry the princess Elizabeth. See Tytler's Edward VI. and Mary, ii. 448 et seq.
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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Henry Machyn's Diary. 26th December 1554. The xxvj day of Desember cam by water from ... the prynche of Pymon [aged 26] with my lord of preve-sale and my lord Montycute [Probably Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu [aged 26]], and shut the bryge [shot the bridge], and cam unto (unfinished).
Note. P. 79. Coming of the prince of Piedmont—"by water, from—Gravesend" is the word deficient (as appears in Stowe.) He "landed at the duke of Suffolkes place." The following passage occurs in a letter dated the xijth of October: "It was told me this day the ambassador of Savoy was yesterday to see my lady Elizabethes house at Strand, and that there was order given for the putting of the same in areadines for the duke his master." Francis Yaxley to sir W. Cecill, in Ellis's Letters, III. iii. 314.—Emanuel Philibert, prince of Piedmont and duke of Savoy, was at this time an exile from his dominions, which had been taken from his father Charles by Francis I. of France. Having greatly distinguished himself as an ally of king Philip at the battle of St. Quintin in 1557, he concluded a peace with France in 1559, and married Margaret daughter of Francis I. He died in 1580.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 8th January 1555. The viij day of January the prynsse of Pyemon [aged 26] whent by water to the Towre with my lord Admerall [aged 45] and my lord Clynton, and dyvers odur, and he was shud evere plasse ther, and ther wher grett shutyng of gones.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 25th January 1555. [The xxv day of January, being saint Paul's day, was a general procession of saint Paul by every parish, both priests and clarkes, in copes to the number of a hundred and sixty, singing Salve festa dies, with ninety crosses borne. The procession was through Cheap into Leadenhall. And before went the] chyldryn of the Gray-frers and Powlles skolle. [There were eight bishops, and the] bysshope of London myteryd, bayryng the sacre[ment, with .. eym] of torchys bornyng, and a canepe borne [over]; so a-bowtt the chyrch-yerde, and in at the west dore, [with the] lord mayre and the althermen, and all the craftes in ther best leverays. And with-in a wylle after the Kyng [aged 27] cam, and my lord cardenall [aged 54], and the prynsse of Pyamon [aged 26], and dyvers lordes and knyghtes; thay hard masse, and after to the court to dener, and at nyght bone-fyres and grett ryngyng in evere [church].
In 1559 Emmanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy [aged 30] and Margaret Valois Duchess Berry and Savoy [aged 35] were married. She by marriage Duchess Savoy. He by marriage Duke Berry. She the daughter of King Francis I of France and Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France. He the son of Charles 3rd Duke Savoy and Beatrice Aviz Duchess Savoy. They were half first cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward III of England.
On 10th July 1559 [his brother-in-law] King Henry II of France [aged 40] was killed whilst jousting in celebration of his daughter's [aged 14] marriage to Philip "The Prudent" II King Spain [aged 32]. His son Francis [aged 15] succeeded II King France: Capet Valois Angoulême. Mary Queen of Scots [aged 16] by marriage Queen Consort France. They would reign for eighteen months only with Francis dying in Dec 1560. Francis and Mary would have no issue.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 18th February 1561. The iij yere of quen Elezabeth [aged 27] the xviij day of [February] was sant Gorge fest; how all the knyghtes of the garter stod that day in order, the furst
On the Quen['s side.]
The kyng Phelype [aged 33].
The constabulle of France [aged 67].
The yerle of Arundell [aged 48].
The yerle of Darbe [aged 51].
The duke of Northfoke [aged 24].
The lord Pagett [aged 55].
The yerle of Westmerland [aged 36].
The lord chamburlayn, Haward [aged 51].
The yerle of Shrowsbere [aged 33]
The lord Montyguw-Browne [aged 32].
The lord Gray of Wyltun [aged 52].
On the Emperowre('s) syd.
The emperowre Ferna[ndo.] [aged 57]
The prynse of Pyamont [aged 32].
The duke Vanholtt [aged 35].
The markes of Wynchester, tresorer [aged 78].
The yerle of Penbroke [aged 60].
The lord admerall Clynton [aged 49].
The maques of Northamtun-Pare [aged 49].
The yerle of Rutland-Rosse [aged 34].
The yerle of Sussex [aged 36].
The lord of Lugborow [aged 40].
The lord Robart Dudley [aged 28].
The lord of Hunsdon-Care [aged 34].
On 12th January 1562 [his son] Charles Emmanuel Savoy I Duke Savoy was born to Emmanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy [aged 33] and [his wife] Margaret Valois Duchess Berry and Savoy [aged 38]. Coefficient of inbreeding 2.29%. He married 1584 his first cousin once removed Catherine Habsburg Spain Duchess Savoy, daughter of Philip "The Prudent" II King Spain and Elizabeth Valois Queen Consort Spain, and had issue.
On 15th September 1574 [his wife] Margaret Valois Duchess Berry and Savoy [aged 51] died.
On 30th August 1580 Emmanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy [aged 52] died. His son Charles [aged 18] succeeded I Duke Savoy.
Kings Wessex: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Godwinson: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Malcolm III of Scotland
Kings France: Great x 4 Grand Son of King John "The Good" II of France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 19 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 2 Grand Son of John II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Amadeus "Green Count" Savoy VI Count Savoy 17 x Great Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 3 Grandfather: Amadeus "Red Count" Savoy VII Count Savoy 18 x Great Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 4 Grandmother: Bonne Bourbon Countess Savoy
Great x 2 Grandfather: Amadeus Savoy VIII Count Savoy Great Grand Son of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Valois 1st Duke Berry 
Son of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 3 Grandmother: Bonne Valois Countess Armagnac and Savoy Grand Daughter of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joanne Armagnac Duchess Berry 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Louis IX of France
Great x 1 Grandfather: Louis Savoy I Count Savoy Great Grand Son of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: King John "The Good" II of France Son of King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France
Great x 3 Grandfather: Philip "Bold" Valois II Duke Burgundy Son of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Valois Countess Savoy Grand Daughter of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis of Male III Count Nevers II Count Flanders 
Grand Son of Philip V King France I King Navarre
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Dampierre Duchess Burgundy Great Grand Daughter of Philip V King France I King Navarre
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret of Brabant Countess Nevers and Flanders Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: Philip "Landless" Savoy II Duke Savoy 2 x Great Grand Son of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 2 Grandfather: Janus of Cyprus
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Cyprus Countess Savoy
Great x 4 Grandfather: Stephano Visconti
Great x 3 Grandfather: Bernabò Visconti
Great x 4 Grandmother: Valentina Doria
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anglesia Visconti
Great x 4 Grandfather: Mastino II della Scala
Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatrice Regina della Scala
Great x 4 Grandmother: Taddea da Carrara
Father: Charles 3rd Duke Savoy 3 x Great Grand Son of King John "The Good" II of France
Great x 1 Grandfather: Jean II Brosse 
GrandMother: Claudine Brosse 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Philip III of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles of Blois Duke Brittany Great Grand Son of King Philip III of France
Great x 3 Grandfather: John I Count of Penthièvre 2 x Great Grand Son of King Philip III of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan "Lame" Capet Countess Penthièvre 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Baron of Avaugour 3 x Great Grand Son of King Philip III of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Olivier de Clisson V Count Porhoët
Great x 3 Grandmother: Marguerite de Clisson
Great x 1 Grandmother: Nicole Countess of Penthièvre 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Philip III of France
Emmanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy 2 x Great Grand Son of John II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter I King Portugal 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King John I of Portugal 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Inês Castro
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal 
Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Duchess of Lancaster 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ferdinand Aviz 2nd Duke Viseu 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John I King Castile 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Louis IX of France
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ferdinand I King Aragon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Louis IX of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Castile 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Louis IX of France
Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho Alfonso Ivrea 5 x Great Grand Son of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Burgundy 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
GrandFather: Manuel "Fortunate" I King Portugal 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter I King Portugal 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King John I of Portugal 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Inês Castro
Great x 2 Grandfather: Prince John Aviz Constable Portugal Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Duchess of Lancaster 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Beatrice Aviz Duchess Viseu 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King John I of Portugal 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Afonso Aviz I Duke Braganza 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ines Peres
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella of Braganza 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Nuno Álvares Pereira
Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatriz Pereira de Alvim
Great x 4 Grandmother: Leonor de Alvim
Mother: Beatrice Aviz Duchess Savoy Great Grand Daughter of John II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: John I King Castile 3 x Great Grand Son of King Louis IX of France
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ferdinand I King Aragon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Louis IX of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Castile 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 2 Grandfather: John II King Aragon -2 x Great Grand Son of John II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho Alfonso Ivrea 5 x Great Grand Son of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor of Alberquerque Queen Consort Aragon 6 x Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Burgundy 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ferdinand II King Aragon Son of John II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso Enríquez Enríquez 6 x Great Grand Son of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Fadrique Enríquez Count Melgar Count Rueda 7 x Great Grand Son of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Juana Mendoza
Great x 2 Grandmother: Juana Enríquez Queen Consort Aragon 8 x Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Diego Fernández Lord Baena
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mariana Fernández Countess Melgar
Great x 4 Grandmother: Inés Ayala
GrandMother: Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal Grand Daughter of John II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: John I King Castile 3 x Great Grand Son of King Louis IX of France
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry III King Castile 4 x Great Grand Son of King Louis IX of France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Barcelona Queen Consort Castile 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Louis VIII of France
Great x 2 Grandfather: John II King Castile Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine of Lancaster Queen Consort Castile Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance of Castile Duchess of Lancaster 6 x Great Grand Daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Isabella Queen Castile 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King John I of Portugal 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Prince John Aviz Constable Portugal Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Castile 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Afonso Aviz I Duke Braganza 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella of Braganza 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatriz Pereira de Alvim