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: Bourchier
In 1374 William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu was born to [his father] William Bourchier and [his mother] Eleanor Louvaine [aged 28].
In 1375 [his father] William Bourchier died.
Around 1390 Thomas Stafford 3rd Earl Stafford [aged 22] and [his future wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 7] were married. She by marriage Countess Stafford. She would, eight years later marry his younger brother Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford [aged 11]; an example of a Married to Two Siblings. She the daughter of Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester [aged 34] and Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester [aged 24]. He the son of Hugh Stafford 2nd Earl Stafford and Philippa Beauchamp Countess Stafford [aged 56]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 5th October 1397 [his mother] Eleanor Louvaine [aged 52] died.
On 28th June 1398 Edmund Stafford 5th Earl Stafford [aged 20] and [his future wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Countess Stafford. She had, around eight years previously, married his brother Thomas Stafford 3rd Earl Stafford who had died in 1392; an example of Married to Two Siblings. She the daughter of Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester and Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester [aged 32]. He the son of Hugh Stafford 2nd Earl Stafford and Philippa Beauchamp Countess Stafford [aged 64]. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward I of England. She a granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1404 [his son] Henry Bourchier 2nd Count of Eu 1st Earl Essex was born to William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 30] and [his future wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 21]. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. He married before 25th April 1426 his second cousin Isabel York Countess Eu and Essex, daughter of Richard of Conisbrough 1st Earl Cambridge and Anne Mortimer, and had issue.
In 1405 William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 31] and Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 22] were married. She the daughter of Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester and Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester.
On 25th October 1415 [his son] William Bourchier Baron Fitzwarin was born to William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 41] and [his wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 32]. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. He married (1) before 25th October 1445 Thomasine Hankford 9th Baroness Fitzwarin, daughter of Richard Hankford and Elizabeth Fitzwarin 8th Baroness Fitzwarin, and had issue (2) in or before 1474 Catherine Affeton.
25th October 1415At the Battle of Agincourt the English included: Louis Robbessart [aged 25], Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick [aged 33], William Botreaux 3rd Baron Botreaux [aged 26], William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 41], Thomas Rokeby [aged 35], John Cornwall 1st Baron Fanhope 1st Baron Milbroke [aged 51], Edward Courtenay [aged 30], Ralph Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell [aged 12], Thomas Dutton [aged 19], Edmund Ferrers 6th Baron Ferrers of Chartley [aged 29], Roger Fiennes [aged 31], Henry Fitzhugh 3rd Baron Fitzhugh [aged 57], John Grey [aged 28], John Grey 1st Earl Tankerville [aged 31], William Harrington [aged 42] as the King's Standard Bearer, Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford [aged 37], Piers Legh [aged 26] (wounded), Alfred Longford, Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury [aged 27], Thomas Morley 6th Baron Marshal 5th Baron Morley [aged 22], John Rodney, Richard Scrope 3rd Baron Scrope of Bolton [aged 22], Robert Strelley [aged 18], James Tuchet 5th Baron Audley, 2nd Baron Tuchet [aged 17], Robert Umfraville [aged 52], Thomas West 2nd Baron West [aged 35], Robert Willoughby 6th Baron Willoughby [aged 30]. Thomas Erpingham [aged 60] commanded the archers. Thomas Rempston [aged 26] was present. Thomas Strickland [aged 48] carried the Banner of St George.
Thomas Tunstall [aged 57] was killed.
The Welsh included: William ap Thomas "Blue Knight of Gwent" Herbert [aged 35], Walter Sais [aged 95], Roger Vaughan [aged 70] and his son Roger Vaughan [aged 5]. Owen Tudor [aged 15] is believed to have been present as a squire.
Around 1416 [his son] John Bourchier 1st Baron Berners was born to William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 42] and [his wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 33]. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England. He married after 10th October 1441 Margery Berners Baroness Berners and had issue.
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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Around 1417 [his daughter] Eleanor Bourchier Duchess Norfolk was born to William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 43] and [his wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 34]. She a great granddaughter of King Edward III of England. She married before 18th October 1444 her second cousin once removed John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk, son of John Mowbray 2nd Duke of Norfolk and Katherine Neville Duchess Norfolk, and had issue.
Around 1418 [his son] Cardinal Thomas Bourchier was born to William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 44] and [his wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 35]. He a great grandson of King Edward III of England.
In 1419 William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 45] was created 1st Count Eu. [his wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 36] by marriage Countess Eu.
In 1419 William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 45] was appointed Captain Dieppe.
On 28th May 1420 William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu [aged 46] died at Troyes, France [Map]. He was buried at Llanthony Secunda Priory, Gloucestershire [Map]. His son Henry [aged 16] succeeded 2nd Count Eu.
In 1438 [his former wife] Anne of Gloucester Plantagenet Countess Eu and Stafford [aged 55] died. She was buried at Llanthony Secunda Priory, Gloucestershire [Map].
[his father] William Bourchier and [his mother] Eleanor Louvaine were married.
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Bourchier 
GrandFather: Robert Bourchier 1st Baron Bourchier
Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter of Colchester
Great x 1 Grandmother: Helen of Colchester
Father: William Bourchier
GrandMother: Margaret Prayers Baroness Bourchier
William Bourchier 1st Count of Eu
GrandFather: John Louvain
Mother: Eleanor Louvaine