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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1413 Death of King Henry IV Accession of Henry V
1414 Henry V awards his brothers Dukedoms
Around 1381 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden was born.
In 1389 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 8] was appointed King Norway.
In 1396 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 15] was appointed King Sweden.
In 1396 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 15] was appointed King of Denmark.
On 17th June 1397 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 16] was crowned King Norway, King of Denmark, King Sweden at Kalmar.
Around 1405 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 24] was appointed 110th Knight of the Garter by [his future father-in-law] King Henry IV of England [aged 37].
On 26th October 1406 [his wife] Philippa Lancaster Queen Consort Denmark [aged 12] by marriage Queen Consort Denmark.
On 26th October 1406 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 25] and Philippa Lancaster Queen Consort Denmark [aged 12] were married. She the daughter of King Henry IV of England [aged 39] and Mary Bohun.
In November 1411 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Lancaster 1st Duke of Clarence [aged 24] and Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence [aged 26] were married. She the daughter of Thomas Holland 2nd Earl Kent and Alice Fitzalan Countess Kent [aged 61]. He the son of [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England [aged 44] and Mary Bohun. They were first cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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In 1412 [his brother-in-law] Thomas Lancaster 1st Duke of Clarence [aged 24] was created 1st Duke Clarence by [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England [aged 44]. Margaret Holland Duchess Clarence [aged 27] by marriage Duchess Clarence.
On 20th March 1413 [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England [aged 45] died in the Jerusalem Chamber, Cheyneygates, Westminster Abbey [Map] in Westminster Abbey confirming a prophesy that he would die in Jerusalem. His son [his brother-in-law] Henry [aged 26] succeeded V King of England. His sons King Henry V of England and Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 22] were present. He was buried in the Chancel of Canterbury Cathedral [Map].
On 16th May 1414 [his brother-in-law] King Henry V of England [aged 27] created Dukedoms for his two brothers:
Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 23] was created 1st Duke Gloucester, 1st Earl Pembroke.
John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 24] was created 1st Duke Bedford, 1st Earl Kendal.
On 25th October 1415 [his brother-in-law] King Henry V of England [aged 29] defeated a French army at the Battle of Agincourt.
The battle is described by three Chroniclers who were present:
Jean de Waurin: "1, the author of this work, know the truth of the matter, for in that assembly I was among the French".
Jean le Fevre de St Remy: "I who write this, seated on a horse among the baggage at the rear of the battle, along with the other priests who were present".
The anonymous author of the Gesta Henrici Quinti i.e. Deeds of Henry V: "while I was on the other side with the English".
Thomas Camoys 1st Baron Camoys [aged 64] commanded the Rearguard. Richard de Vere 11th Earl of Oxford [aged 30] commanded. Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 25] was wounded, and was protected by his brother King Henry V of England.
Edward 2nd Duke of York 1st Duke Albemarle [aged 42], commander of the Vanguard, was killed; the most senior English casualty. Duke Albemarle, Earl of Rutland and Earl Cork extinct. His nephew Richard [aged 4] succeeded 3rd Duke York and inherited his estates including Conisbrough Castle [Map].
John Fortescue [aged 35], Dafydd Gam Brecon [aged 35] and Edward Burnell [aged 44] and Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine [aged 38] were killed.
Michael de la Pole 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 21] was killed. His brother William [aged 19] succeeded 4th Earl Suffolk, 4th Baron Pole.
On 18th November 1416 Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter [aged 39] was created 1st Duke Exeter by [his brother-in-law] King Henry V of England [aged 30] for the remainder of his natural life for 'his service to the king and the realm on both sides of the seas'. At the time the only other dukes were the King's brothers.
On 2nd June 1420 [his brother-in-law] Henry V [aged 33] and Catherine of Valois [aged 18] were married at Troyes Cathedral [Map]. She the daughter of Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France [aged 51] and Isabeau Wittelsbach Queen Consort France [aged 50]. He the son of [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were half third cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
In October 1421 [his brother-in-law] King Henry V of England [aged 35] commenced the Siege of Meaux. John Cornwall 1st Baron Fanhope 1st Baron Milbroke [aged 57] fought. His son John Cornwall [aged 18] was killed; his head being blown off by a cannon ball witnessed by his father. Meaux [Map] was eventually captured on 11th May 1422.
On 31st August 1422 [his brother-in-law] King Henry V of England [aged 35] died at Château de Vincennes, possibly from dysentery, possibly from heatstroke. John Sutton 1st Baron Dudley [aged 21] brought the body back to England. His son Henry succeeded VI King of England.
Thomas Beaufort 1st Duke Exeter [aged 45] was appointed Governor to King Henry VI of England and II of France.
Around 1423 [his brother-in-law] Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 32] and Jacqueline Wittelsbach Duchess Brabant and Gloucester [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of William Wittelsbach IV Count Holland VI Count Hainaut V Count Zeeland and Margaret Valois Countess Holland [aged 48]. He the son of [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were third cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 13th May 1423 [his brother-in-law] John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 33] and Anne Valois Duchess of Bedford [aged 18] were married at Troyes, France [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Bedford She the daughter of John "Fearless" Valois Duke Burgundy and Margaret Wittelsbach Duchess Burgundy. He the son of [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were third cousins. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 17th August 1424 the English forces led by [his brother-in-law] John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 35] inflicted a significant defeat on the French and Scottish army at the Battle of Verneuil; a second Agincourt. For the English Edmund Hungerford [aged 15], Ralph Longford [aged 23], John "Old Talbot" Talbot 1st Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 41] and Richard Waller [aged 29] fought.
On the French and Scottish side Pierre Valois, Archibald Douglas 1st Duke Touraine [aged 52], his son James Douglas, William Seton Master of Seton [aged 34], Alexander Home of Home and Dunglas [aged 56] were killed
John Stewart 2nd Earl Buchan [aged 43] was killed. His brother Robert [aged 39] de jure Earl Ross and Earl Buchan although he didn't claim the title since both titles had reverted to the Crown.
Jean Poton Xaintrailles [aged 34] fought.
In 1428 [his brother-in-law] Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 37] and Jacqueline Wittelsbach Duchess Brabant and Gloucester [aged 26] marriage annulled.
In 1428 [his brother-in-law] Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 37] and Eleanor Cobham Duchess of Gloucester [aged 28] were married. She by marriage Duchess Gloucester. He the son of [his father-in-law] King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were sixth cousins.
On 5th January 1430 [his wife] Philippa Lancaster Queen Consort Denmark [aged 35] died at Cloister Church, Vadstena, Linköping.
On 24th September 1459 King Eric of Norway, Denmark and Sweden [aged 78] died.