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: Welles
Maternal Family Tree: Maud Francis Countess of Salisbury 1364-1424
1461 Second Battle of St Albans
1470 March 1470 Welles' Rebellion and Battle of Losecoat Field aka Empingham
Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles was born to [his father] Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby and [his mother] Joan Willoughby 7th Baroness Willoughby of Eresby.
On 9th January 1449 [his father] Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby [aged 21] and [his mother] Joan Willoughby 7th Baroness Willoughby of Eresby [aged 24] were married. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 25th July 1452 [his grandfather] Robert Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby [aged 67] died. He was buried at All Saints Church, Mettingham Bungay [Map]. His daughter [his mother] Joan [aged 27] succeeded 7th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby. [his father] Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby [aged 24] by marriage Baron Willoughby de Eresby.
On 17th February 1461 the Lancastrian army defeated the Yorkist army at Second Battle of St Albans and rescued King Henry VI of England and II of France [aged 39]. The Lancastrian army was commanded by Henry Holland 3rd Duke Exeter [aged 30] and included Henry Percy 3rd Earl of Northumberland [aged 39], John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 45], Henry Grey 4th or 7th Baron Grey of Codnor [aged 26], Henry Roos and [his father] Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby [aged 33].
Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 33], William Tailboys 7th Baron Kyme [aged 46], John Talbot 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 12] and Thomas Tresham [aged 41] were knighted.
The Yorkist army included Richard "Kingmaker" Neville Earl Warwick, 6th Earl Salisbury [aged 32], William Fitzalan 9th or 16th Earl of Arundel [aged 43], John Wenlock 1st Baron Wenlock [aged 61] and Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex [aged 57]. John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu [aged 30] was captured. Robert Poynings [aged 42] and James Luttrell [aged 34] were killed.
John Grey [aged 29] was killed fighting for Lancaster. A death that was to have far reaching consequences; his widow Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England [aged 24] subsequently married King Edward IV of England [aged 18].
During the battle William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville [aged 68] and Thomas Kyriell [aged 65] were assigned to the protection of the King Henry VI. After the battle both were beheaded against all decent laws of battle.
William Bonville 1st Baron Bonville was beheaded. His great granddaughter Cecily succeeded 2nd Baroness Bonville.
Thomas Kyriell was beheaded.
William Cotton [aged 21] was killed.
Before 13th February 1462 [his mother] Joan Willoughby 7th Baroness Willoughby of Eresby [aged 37] died. Her son Robert succeeded 8th Baron Willoughby de Eresby.
In February 1470 Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles attacked at Gainsborough Old Hall, Lincolnshire [Map].
Before 3rd February 1470 Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles attacked Gainsborough Old Hall, Lincolnshire [Map] home of Thomas Burgh 1st Baron Burgh of Gainsborough [aged 39], a senior Yorkist, Edward IV's [aged 27] Master of the Horse. It isn't known whether this attack was a consequence of local or national issues. King Edward IV of England summoned Robert's father Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby [aged 42] and uncle-in-law Thomas Dymoke [aged 42] (married to Margaret Welles [aged 38] sister of Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles) to London. Both initially went into Sanctuary, Westminster Abbey [Map] but were pardoned on 3rd March 1470.
After 3rd March 1470 Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles continued to resist King Edward IV of England [aged 27] by raising forces in Lincolnshire. King Edward IV of England travelled north and threatened Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles with the execution of his father [aged 42] and Thomas Dymoke [aged 42] if Robert persisted in rebellion.
On 12th March 1470 King Edward IV of England [aged 27] commanded at the Battle of Losecoat Field (Empingham).
Thomas Dymoke [aged 42] and [his father] Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby [aged 42] were beheaded at Queen's Cross, Stamford before the battle1. His son Robert succeeded 8th Baron Welles.
The name 'Losecoat' not contemporary, and its meaning of men "losing their coats" may have been invented in the 19th Century. The name Losecoat appears to be first used in the 16th Century Hall's and Holinshed's Chronicles.
The 1475 attainder of Richard and Robert Welles refers to the battle having taken place "in a field called 'Hornefeld' in Empyngham",
Note 1. Some sources say on battlefield immediately prior to the battle, some after the batte
On 19th March 1470 Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles was beheaded at Doncaster [Map]. He was buried at Whitefriars Doncaster [Map]. Baron Welles forfeit. His sister Joan succeeded 9th Baroness Willoughby de Eresby. Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby [aged 37] by marriage Baron Willoughby de Eresby. He, Hastings, a favourite of King Edward IV of England [aged 27], younger brother of Edward's great friend William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings [aged 39].
Warkworth's Chronicle [1461-1474]. February 1470. And in the x. yere1 of Kynge Edwardes regne, in the moneth of Marche, the [his father] Lorde Willowby [aged 42], the Lorde Welles his sonne2, Thomas Delalond knyght, and Sere Thomas Dymmoke [aged 42] knyght, the Kynges Champyon, droff oute of Lyncolneschyre Sere Thomas à Burghe, a knyght of the Kynges howse, and pullede downe his place, and toke alle his goodes and cataylle that they mighte fynde, and they gaderid alle the comons of the schyre to the nowmbre of xxx. M¹., and cryed "Kynge Herry," and refused Kynge Edwarde. And the Duke of Clarence and the Earl of Warwick [aged 41] causede alle this, lyke as they dyde Robyne of Riddesdale to ryse afore that at Banbury felde. And whenne Kynge Edwarde herde hereof, he made oute his commyssyons, and gaderyd a grete peple of menne, and sent his pardone to the Lorde Wyllowby, and a commaundement that they schuld come to hym, and so he dyd. And whenne the Kynge was sure of hym, he and alle his oste went towarde Lyncolneschyre, the Lord Welles, and alle the othere peple were gaderd togedere, and commawndede Lorde Wyllowby to sende a lettere to hys sonne and to alle the peple that he gaderyde, that they schulde yelde them to hym as to ther sovereyne Lorde, or ellys he made a woue3 that the Lorde Willowby schuld lese his hede; and he wrote and sent his lettere forthe, but therfor they wulde noʒt ceysse; wherfor the Kynge comawndyde the Lorde Wyllowhby hede for to be smytene of, notwithstondynge his pardone.
Note 1. And in the x. yere. It may be remarked that the regnal years of Edward IV. commence on the fourth of March, "quo die Rex Edwardus iiijtus. incepit regnare [On that day King Edward IV began to reign];" -MS. Magnus Rotulus Pipa, 1 Edw. IV, com. Cornub. Cf. MS. Bib. Geo. III. Mus. Brit. 52. fol. 33, rº.
Note 2. The Lorde Welles his sonne. See the Excerpta Historica, p. 282, for the confession of Sir Robert Welles, which throws very considerable light on this history. It appears that the Duke of Clarence [aged 20] took a much more active part in the conspiracy than is generally supposed; that the motive which actuated the multitude was chiefly the fear of the King's vengeance; that a servant of Clarence's was in the battle, and afforded Welles considerable assisttance; that when Lord Welles went to London pursuant to the King's commands, he desired his son, in the event of his hearing that he was in danger, to hasten to his assistance with as many followers as possible; that the real object of the rebellion was to place the crown on Clarence's head; and that both Clarence and Warwick had, for some time, been urging Lord Welles, and his son, to continue firm to their cause. See continuation of note below.
Note 3. Woue. So in MS. for vowe.
Chronicle of Robert Fabyan [-1512]. 12th March 1470. And in Lyncolnshyre sir Robert Wellys, sone unto the lorde Wellys before put to deth, in this whyle had also assembled a great bende of men, purposyd to gyue the kynge a felde. Of all whiche tydynges whenne the kynge was assertayned, he with his sayde broder the duke spedde hym northwarde, and in that whyle sent to the sayde sir Robert Wellys, wyllyng hym to sende home his people and come to hym, and he shuld haue his grace. But that other answerid, that by lyke promysse his fader was disceyued, and that shulde be his example. But in conclusion, whan the kynge with his power drewe nere unto hym, he toke suche fere that he fledde, and soone after was taken, and with hym sir Thomas Dymmok [aged 42], knyght, and other, the whiche were shortly after put to deth.
Patent Rolls. 16th March 1475. Exemplification, at the request of William Broune of Staumford, Westminster. 'marchaunt,' of the tenour of an article in an act (English) of attaint in the Parliament summoned at Westminster on 6 October, 12 Edward IV. and continued by divers prorogations to 23 January, 14 Edward IV. ordaining that whereas [his father] Richard Welles late of Hellowe, co. Lincoln, knight, caused Robert Welles late of Hellowe, knight, and Thomas Delalaunde late of Horblyng, co. Lincoln, knight, and others to assemble together against the king and they made war against the king on 12 March, 10 Edward IV. in a field called 'Hornefeld' in Empyngham, co. Rutland, the said Richard, Robert and Thomas be convicted of high treason and forfeit all the possessions which they had on the said 12 March except the manors of Lilleford, co. Northampton, and Hokyngton, co. Cambridge, whereof Thomas FitzWilliam the elder and Thomas FltzWilliam the younger were seised to the same time that they made estate thereof to [his sister] Jahne late the wife of Richard Hastynges [aged 42], knight, and heirs in fee and after the said Richard and Jahne sold the same manors to the said William and of the same levied a fine to the use of him and his heirs. [Rolls of Parliament, VI. 144.]
Before 19th March 1470 Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles and Elizabeth Bourchier Baroness Willoughby of Eresby were married. She by marriage Baroness Willoughby de Eresby. They were fourth cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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Before 2nd October 1470 [his former wife] Elizabeth Bourchier Baroness Willoughby of Eresby died. She was buried at Whitefriars Doncaster [Map].
Before 16th March 1475 [his sister] Joan Welles 9th Baroness Willoughby of Eresby died.
Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby [aged 22] de jure 10th Baron Willoughby de Eresby. Margaret Jenney Baroness Willoughby of Eresby [aged 15] by marriage Baroness Willoughby de Eresby.
King Edward IV of England [aged 32] had father and son [Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby and Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles] posthumously attainted some five years after the Welles' Rebellion [see Patent Rolls] to ensure Richard Hastings Baron Willoughby [aged 42] would continue to enjoy the benefit of the Welles' estates.
Another example of King Edward IV of England being somewhat disingenuous with the legal system to his own advantage. He, Edward was, in effect, disinheriting Christopher Willoughby 10th Baron Willoughby who should have inherited Baron Willoughby de Eresby and John Welles 1st Viscount Welles [aged 25] who should have inherited Baron Welles following Joan's death.
Around 1485 [his uncle] John Welles 1st Viscount Welles [aged 35] succeeded 10th Baron Welles when the attainders on [his father] Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby and Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles were reversed. See Patent Rolls.
Kings Wessex: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 10 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 16 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 11 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 5 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 19 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 13 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 17 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Adam Welles 3rd Baron Welles 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Welles 4th Baron Welles
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Bardolf Baroness Welles 
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Welles 5th Baron Welles 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Ros Baroness Welles 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Eudo Welles 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Mowbray 3rd Baron Mowbray 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Mowbray 4th Baron Mowbray Baron Segrave 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Plantagenet Baroness Mowbray 
Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Mowbray Countess Rockingham 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Segrave 4th Baron Segrave 
5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Segrave 5th Baroness Segrave Baroness Mowbray Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Plantagenet 1st Duchess of Norfolk 
Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandFather: Lionel Welles 6th Baron Welles 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Greystoke 1st Baron Greystoke 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Greystoke 2nd Baron Greystoke 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Audley Baroness Greystoke and Neville 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Greystoke 3rd Baron Greystoke 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Fitzhenry of Ravensworth
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Fitzhenry Baroness Greystoke
Great x 1 Grandmother: Maud Greystoke 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Clifford 3rd Baron Clifford 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Clifford 5th Baron Clifford 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Berkeley Baroness Clifford Baroness Musgrave 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Clifford Baroness Greystoke 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Beauchamp Baroness Clifford 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Father: Richard Welles 7th Baron Welles, Baron Willoughby 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Waterton of Waterton in Lincolnshire
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Waterton
Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Newmarch of Womersley
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Newmarch
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Waterton
Great x 4 Grandfather: Piers Mauley
Great x 3 Grandfather: Piers Mauley
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Mauley
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Bruce
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Bruce
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hawise Lancaster
GrandMother: Joan or Cecily Waterton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Fleming of Woodhall
Great x 1 Grandmother: Cecily Fleming
Robert Welles 8th Baron Willoughby 8th Baron Welles 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Willoughby 3rd Baron Willoughby 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Roscelyn Baroness Willoughby and Latimer
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Willoughby 4th Baron Willoughby 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Ufford 1st Earl Suffolk 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Cecily Ufford Baroness Willoughby of Eresby
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Norwich Countess Suffolk
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Willoughby 5th Baron Willoughby 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Eudo Zouche 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Zouche 2nd Baron Zouche Harringworth 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margery Zouche Baroness Willoughby of Eresby 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ros 2nd Baron Ros Helmsley
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ros Baroness Zouche Harringworth 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margery Badlesmere Baroness Ros of Helmsley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
GrandFather: Robert Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Strange 2nd Baron Strange Knockin 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Strange 4th Baron Strange Knockin 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isolde Chaworth Baroness Strange Knockin 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Roger Strange 5th Baron Strange Knockin 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Oliver Ightham
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Ightham Baroness Strange Knockin 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Zouche 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Lucy Strange Baroness Willoughby Eresby 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Fitzalan 1st or 8th Earl of Arundel 
3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edmund Fitzalan 2nd or 9th Earl of Arundel 4 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Saluzzo Countess Arundel 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Aline Fitzalan Baroness Strange Knockin 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Warenne
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Warenne Countess Arundel
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Vere 
Mother: Joan Willoughby 7th Baroness Willoughby of Eresby 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Montagu 1st Earl Salisbury
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Montfort Baroness Furnivall Baroness Montagu
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Montagu 1st Baron Montagu, Baron Monthermer
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Grandison 1st Baron Grandison
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Grandison Countess of Salisbury
Great x 4 Grandmother: Sibylla Tregoz Baroness Grandison
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Montagu 3rd Earl Salisbury 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Monthermer 1st Earl of Gloucester and Hertford 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Monthermer 2nd Baron Monthermer Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan of Acre Countess Gloucester and Hertford Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Monthermer Baroness Montagu 3rd Baroness Monthermer Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter Brewes Count Flanders
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Brewes Baroness Monthermer
GrandMother: Elizabeth Montagu Baroness Willoughby Eresby 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Adam Francis
Great x 1 Grandmother: Maud Francis Countess of Salisbury