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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Biography of William Mowbray 6th Baron Thirsk 1173-1224

Paternal Family Tree: Daubigny

1215 Magna Carta

1217 Second Battle aka Fair of Lincoln

Around 1173 William Mowbray 6th Baron Thirsk was born to Nigel Mowbray 5th Baron Thirsk [aged 27] and Mabel Clare Baroness Thirsk [aged 17].

Around 1175 [his father] Nigel Mowbray 5th Baron Thirsk [aged 29] and [his mother] Mabel Clare Baroness Thirsk [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Baroness Thirsk. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Roger Clare 2nd Earl Hertford and [his grandmother] Maud St Hilary Countess Hertford. They were half fourth cousin once removed.

In 1188 [his grandfather] Roger de Albini [aged 68] died in Palestine. His son [his father] Nigel [aged 42] succeeded 5th Baron Thirsk.

Around 1191 [his father] Nigel Mowbray 5th Baron Thirsk [aged 45] was killed in Acre [Map]. His son William [aged 18] succeeded 6th Baron Thirsk.

In 1204 [his mother] Mabel Clare Baroness Thirsk [aged 48] died at Axeholme.

In 1208 [his son] William Mowbray was born to William Mowbray 6th Baron Thirsk [aged 35] and [his future wife] Avice D'Aubigny Baroness Okehampton Baroness Mowbray [aged 12]. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

Before 1209 William Mowbray 6th Baron Thirsk [aged 35] and Avice D'Aubigny Baroness Okehampton Baroness Mowbray [aged 12] were married. She by marriage Baroness Thirsk. The difference in their ages was 23 years. She the daughter of William D'Aubigny 3rd Earl Lincoln 3rd Earl of Arundel [aged 29] and Mabel Gernon Countess Lincoln and Arundel. They were third cousins. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.

Before 2nd October 1209 [his son] Roger Mowbray was born to William Mowbray 6th Baron Thirsk [aged 36] and [his wife] Avice D'Aubigny Baroness Okehampton Baroness Mowbray [aged 13]. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. He married before 1254 his half fourth cousin once removed Maud Beauchamp and had issue.

In 1214 [his wife] Avice D'Aubigny Baroness Okehampton Baroness Mowbray [aged 18] died.

Magna Carta

                    On 15th June 1215 King John of England [aged 48] met with his Baron's at Runnymede [Map] where he agreed to the terms of the Magna Carta which attempted to reduce the King's authority through political reform. Those who signed as surety included:
                
                    Roger Bigod 2nd Earl Norfolk [aged 71]
                
                    his son Hugh Bigod 3rd Earl Norfolk [aged 33]
                
                    Henry Bohun 1st Earl Hereford [aged 39]
                
                    [his uncle] Richard Clare 3rd Earl Hertford [aged 62]
                
                    his son Gilbert Clare 5th Earl Gloucester 4th Earl Hertford [aged 35]
                
                    William "The Younger" Marshal 2nd Earl Pembroke [aged 25]
                
                    William Mowbray 6th Baron Thirsk [aged 42]
                
                    Saer Quincy 1st Earl Winchester [aged 45]
                
                    Robert Ros [aged 43], Richard Percy 5th Baron Percy Topcliffe [aged 45]
                
                    Robert de Vere 3rd Earl of Oxford [aged 50]
                
                    Eustace Vesci [aged 46]
                
                    John Fitzrobert 3rd Baron Warkworth [aged 25]
                
                    John Lacy Earl Lincoln [aged 23].
                
                    William de Albini [aged 64], Geoffrey Mandeville 2nd Earl Essex [aged 24]
                
                    Robert Clare Fitzwalter                

                    William Forz 3rd Earl Albemarle                

                    William Hardell
                
                    William Huntingfield
                
                    William Llanvallei
                
                    William Malet 1st Baron Curry Mallet
                
                    Roger Montbegon, Richard Montfichet
                
                    Geoffrey Saye [aged 60] signed as surety the Magna Carta.
                
                    Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 45] witnessed.

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Second Battle aka Fair of Lincoln

                    On 20th May 1217 William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke [aged 71] and Ranulf de Blondeville Gernon 6th Earl Chester 1st Earl Lincoln [aged 47] fought at Lincoln, Lincolnshire [Map] during the Second Battle aka Fair of Lincoln.
                
                    Rebels William Mowbray 6th Baron Thirsk [aged 44] and William Ros [aged 17] were captured. William de Albini [aged 66] fought for the rebels. Thomas Chateaudun I Count Perche [aged 22] died fighting for the rebels.
                
                    Bishop Peter de Roches led a division of the royal army and earned some distinction by his valour.

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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On 24th March 1224 William Mowbray 6th Baron Thirsk [aged 51] died. Baron Thirsk extinct.

[his son] Nigel Mowbray was born to William Mowbray 6th Baron Thirsk and Avice D'Aubigny Baroness Okehampton Baroness Mowbray. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England.