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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In 1330 Bernard Brocas was born to [his father] John Brocas of Clewer in Berkshire. He grew up with the Edward "Black Prince" at Windsor Castle [Map].
After 1330 Bernard Brocas and Agnes Vavasour [aged 2] were married. They were subsequently divorced.
On 26th August 1346 the army of King Edward III of England [aged 33] defeated the French army at the Battle of Crécy. The English army was commanded by King Edward III of England, his son Edward "Black Prince" [aged 16], Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick [aged 33], William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton [aged 36] and John Beauchamp 1st Baron Beauchamp Warwick [aged 30].
The English army was included: Bishop Thomas of Hatfield [aged 36], Hugh Despencer 1st Baron Despencer [aged 38], Bernard Brocas [aged 16], Thomas Felton [aged 16], James Audley [aged 28], Robert Bourchier 1st Baron Bourchier, Bartholomew "The Elder" Burghesh 1st Baron Burghesh [aged 59], Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh [aged 18], Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham [aged 51], John Darcy 1st Baron Darcy of Knayth [aged 66], Robert Ferrers 3rd Baron Ferrers of Chartley [aged 37], Richard Scrope 1st Baron Scrope of Bolton [aged 19], William Scrope [aged 21], Stephen Scrope [aged 21], William Latimer 4th Baron Latimer of Corby [aged 16], John Lisle 2nd Baron Lisle [aged 28], Gerard Lisle 1st Baron Lisle [aged 42], Nicholas Longford [aged 61], Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu, Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh [aged 27], Michael Poynings 1st Baron Poynings [aged 28], Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 48], John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford [aged 34], Thomas West [aged 34], John Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby [aged 43], John Wingfield [aged 26], Henry Percy 11th and 3rd Baron Percy [aged 25], Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon [aged 43] (possibly), Walter "Elder" Devereux [aged 37], John Devereux [aged 44], Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos [aged 26], Richard Pembridge [aged 26] and John Sully [aged 63].
The French army suffered significant casualties. King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France [aged 52] was wounded. William de Coucy [aged 60] and his son Enguerrand 6th Lord de Coucy [aged 33] and were killed.
Charles II Count Alençon [aged 49] was killed. His son Charles [aged 9] succeeded Count Alençon.
Louis Chatillon II Count Blois I Count Chatillon was killed. His son Louis succeeded III Count Blois.
Louis Dampierre II Count Nevers I Count Flanders [aged 42] was killed. His son Louis [aged 15] succeeded III Count Nevers, II Count Flanders.
King John I of Bohemia [aged 50] was killed. His son Charles [aged 30] succeeded IV King Bohemia, Holy Roman Emperor Luxemburg. Blanche Valois Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg [aged 29] by marriage Holy Roman Empress Luxemburg.
Rudolph "Valiant" Metz I Duke Lorraine [aged 26] was killed. His son John succeeded I Duke Lorraine.
Jean IV de Harcourt [aged 39] was killed.
Around 1354 [his son] Bernard Brocas was born to Bernard Brocas [aged 24] and [his wife] Agnes Vavasour [aged 26]. He married before 1380 Joan Middleton or Banbury and had issue.
On 19th September 1356 the army of Edward "Black Prince" [aged 26] defeated the French and Scottish army led by King John "The Good" II of France [aged 37] at the Battle of Poitiers
King John "The Good" II of France was captured by three captains including Ivon aka John Fane.
The the English army included: Bernard Brocas [aged 26], Thomas Felton [aged 26], James Audley [aged 38], Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick [aged 43], Bartholomew "The Younger" Burghesh 2nd Baron Burghesh [aged 28], Reginald Cobham 1st Baron Cobham [aged 61], Edward Despencer 1st Baron Despencer, Baron Burghesh [aged 21], Ralph Ferrers [aged 27], William Scrope [aged 31], William Montagu 2nd Earl Salisbury [aged 28], Walter Paveley 4th Baron Burghesh [aged 37], Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 58], William Ufford 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 18], John de Vere 7th Earl of Oxford [aged 44], John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby [aged 33], Thomas Arderne [aged 19], Enion Sais Brecon, John Chandos [aged 36], Richard Pembridge [aged 36], Jean Grailly [aged 25], Robert de Fouleshurst [aged 26] and John Sully [aged 73]
John Savile of Shelley and Golcar [aged 31] probably fought having received letters of protection to travel overseas.
Hugh Courtenay 2nd or 10th Earl Devon [aged 53] protected the baggage train.
The French and Scottish army included: King John "The Good" II of France, Philip "Bold" Valois II Duke Burgundy [aged 14], Jean Bourbon I Count La Marche [aged 12], Archibald "Grim" Douglas 3rd Earl Douglas [aged 26], John "Sans Terre" Artois 1st Count of Eu [aged 35]; all captured.
Guichard d'Angle 1st Earl Huntingdon and William Douglas 1st Earl Douglas [aged 33] fought.
Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon [aged 45] was killed. His son Louis [aged 19] succeeded II Duke Bourbon.
Gauthier VI Comte de Brienne [aged 54] was killed.
On 3rd April 1367 the forces of Peter "Cruel" I King Castile [aged 32] commanded by Edward "Black Prince" [aged 36] defeated the army of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile [aged 33] at the Battle of Nájera at Nájera [Map]. The English forces included John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster [aged 27], William Scrope, Peter Courtenay [aged 21], John Devereux 1st Baron Devereux [aged 30], John Savile of Shelley and Golcar [aged 42], Bernard Brocas [aged 37] and Thomas Banastre [aged 33].
The forces of Henry "Fratricide" II King Castile included Bertrand Geusclin [aged 47]. The battle achieved little since Bertrand Geusclin escaped.
John Ferrers 4th Baron Ferrers of Chartley [aged 36] was killed. His son Robert [aged 9] succeeded 5th Baron Ferrers of Chartley. Margaret Despencer Baroness Ferrers of Chartley by marriage Baroness Ferrers of Chartley.
Edward "Black Prince" thereafter returned home, taking Peter's daughters Constance [aged 13] and Isabella [aged 12] as hostages to ensure Peter would pay the money owed to Edward. Constance married John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster, Isabella married Edmund of Langley 1st Duke of York [aged 25].
Before 1380 Bernard Brocas [aged 49] and Mary des Roches [aged 44] were married.
Before 1380 [his son] Bernard Brocas [aged 25] and [his daughter-in-law] Joan Middleton or Banbury were married.
In 1380 [his wife] Mary des Roches [aged 45] died.
Before 1395 Bernard Brocas [aged 64] and Katharine de la Plaunche [aged 54] were married.
On 20th September 1395 Bernard Brocas [aged 65] died. He was buried at the Chapel of St Edmund, Westminster Abbey [Map] in Westminster Abbey.
On 19th October 1398 [his former wife] Katharine de la Plaunche [aged 58] died.
Effigy of Sir Bernard Brocas. Monument of Bernard Brocas. These two illustrations don't appear to have any text about them?
