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: Barcelona
Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Cuman
Alfonso IV King Aragon and Eleanor Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. She the daughter of Ferdinand IV King Castile IV King Leon and Constance Burgundy Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. He the son of James "The Just" II King Aragon and Blanche Capet Queen Consort Aragon. They were first cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
Alfonso IV King Aragon and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. He the son of James "The Just" II King Aragon and Blanche Capet Queen Consort Aragon.
On 1st December 1291 [his father] James "The Just" II King Aragon (age 24) and [his step-mother] Isabella of Castile Queen Consort Aragon (age 8) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. She the daughter of Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon (age 33) and Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon. He the son of [his grandfather] Peter III King Aragon and [his grandmother] Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon (age 42). They were first cousin once removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 29th October 1295 [his father] James "The Just" II King Aragon (age 28) and [his mother] Blanche Capet Queen Consort Aragon were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Charles II King Naples (age 41) and [his grandmother] Mary of Hungary Queen Consort Naples (age 38). He the son of [his grandfather] Peter III King Aragon and [his grandmother] Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon (age 46). They were half second cousin once removed. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 2nd November 1299 Alfonso IV King Aragon was born to [his father] James "The Just" II King Aragon (age 32) and [his mother] Blanche Capet Queen Consort Aragon.
In 1315 [his son] Alfonso Barcelona was born to Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 15) and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon. He died aged two in 1317.
On 15th June 1315 [his father] James "The Just" II King Aragon (age 48) and Marie Lusignan Queen Consort Aragon were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. He the son of [his grandfather] Peter III King Aragon and [his grandmother] Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon.
In 1317 [his son] Alfonso Barcelona (age 2) died.
In 1318 [his daughter] Constance Barcelona was born to Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 18) and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon. She married James Majorca.
On 5th September 1319 [his son] Peter IV King Aragon was born to Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 19) and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon. He married (1) 23rd July 1338 his third cousin once removed Maria Évreux Queen Consort Aragon, daughter of Philip "Noble" III King Navarre and Joan Capet II Queen Navarre, and had issue (2) 15th November 1347 his second cousin Eleanor Burgundy Queen Consort Aragon, daughter of Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal and Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal (3) 27th August 1349 his second cousin Eleanor of Sicily Queen Consort Aragon and had issue (4) 11th October 1377 Sibia Fortia Queen Consort Aragon and had issue.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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In 1321 [his son] James Barcelona was born to Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 21) and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon.
On 25th December 1322 [his father] James "The Just" II King Aragon (age 55) and Elisenda Montcada Queen Consort Aragon were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Aragon. He the son of [his grandfather] Peter III King Aragon and [his grandmother] Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon.
In 1323 [his daughter] Elizabeth Barcelona was born to Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 23) and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon. She died aged four in 1327.
In 1325 [his son] Frederick Barcelona was born to Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 25) and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon. He died aged less than one years old.
In 1325 [his son] Frederick Barcelona died.
In 1327 [his daughter] Elizabeth Barcelona (age 4) died.
In 1327 [his son] Sancho Barcelona died.
In 1327 [his son] Sancho Barcelona was born to Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 27) and Teresa Enteca Queen Consort Aragon. He died aged less than one years old.
On 5th November 1327 [his father] James "The Just" II King Aragon (age 60) died. His son Alfonso (age 28) succeeded IV King Aragon since his eldest son wished to take holy orders.
In 1329 [his son] Ferdinand Barcelona was born to Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 29) and Eleanor Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon (age 22). Coefficient of inbreeding 4.46%.
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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On 12th July 1330 [his sister] Isabella Barcelona Duchess Austria (age 25) died.
In 1331 [his son] John Barcelona was born to Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 31) and Eleanor Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon (age 24). Coefficient of inbreeding 4.46%.
On 24th January 1336 Alfonso IV King Aragon (age 36) died. His son Peter (age 16) succeeded IV King Aragon.
Kings Wessex: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Godwinson: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 4 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 13 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Raymond V Count Barcelona 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Petronilla Jiménez Queen Aragon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon
Great x 4 Grandmother: Richeza Unknown Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
Great x 1 Grandfather: James I King Aragon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Marie Montpellier Queen Consort Aragon
GrandFather: Peter III King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Géza II of Hungary
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Béla III of Hungary
Great x 4 Grandmother: Euphrosyne of Kiev
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Andrew II of Hungary
Great x 4 Grandfather: Raynald of Châtillon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes of Antioch
Great x 4 Grandmother: Princess Constance of Antioch
Great x 1 Grandmother: Violant Árpád Queen Consort Aragon
Father: James "The Just" II King Aragon 6 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick "Barbarossa" Hohenstaufen I Holy Roman Emperor 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Hohenstaufen VI Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice of Burgundy Holy Roman Empress
Great x 2 Grandfather: Frederick I King Jerusalem II Holy Roman Emperor
Great x 1 Grandfather: Manfred King Sicily
Great x 2 Grandmother: Bianca Lancia
GrandMother: Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humbert Savoy III Count Savoy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Macon Countess Savoy
Great x 2 Grandfather: Amedeo Savoy IV Count Savoy
Great x 4 Grandfather: William I-Count Geneva
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy
Great x 1 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy Marchioness of Saluzzo 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Odo II Duke Burgundy 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh III Duke Burgundy 2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marie Blois Duchess Burgundy 
Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Burgundy Countess Savoy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guigues V Count of Albon and Grenoble
Great x 3 Grandmother: Beatrice of Albon Duchess Burgundy
Alfonso IV King Aragon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis VII King of the Franks
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Philip II of France 2 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Adèle Queen of the Franks Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Louis VIII of France 3 x Great Grand Son of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baldwin Flanders V Count Hainaut
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Metz Countess Hainaut and Flanders
Great x 1 Grandfather: King Charles Capet of Sicily Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Sancho III King Castile
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso VIII King Castile
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Ramirez Queen Consort Castile
Great x 2 Grandmother: Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England 
Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Plantagenet Queen Consort Castile Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England
GrandFather: Charles II King Naples 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso II King Aragon
Great x 3 Grandfather: Alfonso Barcelona II Count Provence
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon
Great x 2 Grandfather: Raymond IV Count Provence
Great x 4 Grandfather: Rainou of Sabran
Great x 3 Grandmother: Gersenda II Sabran Countess Provence
Great x 1 Grandmother: Beatrice Provence Queen Consort Sicily
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humbert Savoy III Count Savoy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Macon Countess Savoy
Great x 2 Grandmother: Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence
Great x 4 Grandfather: William I-Count Geneva
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy
Mother: Blanche Capet Queen Consort Aragon 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Béla III of Hungary
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Andrew II of Hungary
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes of Antioch
Great x 2 Grandfather: Béla IV King of Hungary
Great x 1 Grandfather: Stephen V of Hungary
GrandMother: Mary of Hungary Queen Consort Naples
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cuman