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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Governors is in Crown.
Ralph Grey of Chillingham was appointed Governor of Bamburgh Castle.
In 1539 William Eure 1st Baron Eure [aged 56] was appointed Governor of Berwick on Tweed.
On 25th August 1568 Henry Carey 1st Baron Hunsdon [aged 42] was appointed Governor of Berwick on Tweed.
In 1598 Peregrine Bertie 13th Baron Willoughby [aged 42] was appointed Warden of the East Marches and Governor of Berwick on Tweed.
John Conyers 3rd Baron Conyers was appointed Governor of Berwick on Tweed.
In 1388 Richard Fitzalan 9th Earl of Surrey 4th or 11th Earl of Arundel [aged 42] was appointed Governor of Brest. He was buried at Church of Augustin Friars Bread Street.
In 1307 Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere [aged 31] was appointed Governor of Bristol Castle.
In 1377 William Latimer 4th Baron Latimer of Corby [aged 46] was appointed Governor of Calais.
In October 1265 Roger Leybourne [aged 50] was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle and High Sheriff of Cumberland.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
After 1296 Robert Clifford 1st Baron Clifford [aged 21] was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle.
In 1484 Humphrey Dacre 1st Baron Dacre Gilsland [aged 60] was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle and Warden of the West Marches.
On 18th June 1525 Henry Fitzroy [aged 6] was taken by barge to Bridewell Palace [Map] where he was enobled by his father King Henry VIII of England and Ireland [aged 33].
In the morning Henry Fitzroy was created 1st Earl Nottingham.
In the afternoon Henry Fitzroy was created 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset.
Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland [aged 47] carried the Sword of State. Thomas More [aged 47] read the patents of nobility. Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 41], Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset [aged 47],
Henry Courtenay [aged 29] was created 1st Marquess Exeter. Gertrude Blount Marchioness of Exeter [aged 22] by marriage Marchioness Exeter.
Henry Clifford [aged 32] was created 1st Earl of Cumberland, Warden of the West Marches and Governor of Carlisle Castle.
Thomas Manners [aged 33] was created 1st Earl of Rutland. Eleanor Paston Countess Rutland [aged 30] by marriage Countess of Rutland. He was given the Earldom of Rutland to reflect his descent from Anne York Duchess Exeter sister of the previous Earl of Rutland. At the same time his arms 
Manners Arms were augmented with the 
Manners Augmented Arms
Henry Brandon [aged 2] was created 1st Earl Lincoln.
Robert Radclyffe [aged 42] was created 1st Viscount Fitzwalter.
Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde [aged 48] was created 1st Viscount Rochford. Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde [aged 45] by marriage Viscountess Rochford.
Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 52], William Fitzalan 11th or 18th Earl of Arundel [aged 49] and John de Vere 14th Earl of Oxford [aged 25] attended.
Become a Member via our Buy Me a Coffee page to read more.
After 1643 Philip Musgrave 2nd Baronet [aged 35] was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle.
In 1677 Christopher Musgrave 4th Baronet [aged 45] was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle.
John Conyers 3rd Baron Conyers was appointed Governor of Carlisle Castle.
In February 1645 John Owen [aged 45] was appointed Sergeant Major General of foot under the Governor of Chester, John Byron 1st Baron Byron [aged 46].
Around December 1644 John Owen [aged 44] was appointed Governor of Conwy Castle.
In 1299 Simon Montagu 1st Baron Montagu [aged 49] was appointed Governor of Corfe Castle.
John Evelyn's Diary. 2nd April 1686. Sir Edward Hales [aged 41], a papist, made Governor of Dover Castle .
In 1314 John Botetort 1st Baron Botetort [aged 49] was appointed Governor of Framlingham Castle.
In 1667 John Griffith was appointed Governor of Gravesend.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Robert Pierrepont was appointed Governor of Newark Castle.
In 1629 William Killigrew [aged 23] was appointed Governor of Pendennis Castle.
John Killigrew was appointed Governor of Pendennis Castle.
In 1547 Anthony Knyvet [aged 30] was appointed Governor of Portsmouth and oversaw the construction of Southsea Castle [Map].
Francis Cheney was appointed Governor of Queenborough Castle.
In 1273 John Vesci was appointed Governor of Scarborough Castle.
In 1319 Thomas Ughtred 1st Baron Ughtred [aged 27] was appointed Governor of Scarborough Castle.
John Evelyn's Diary. 2nd June 1672. At Sheerness [Map], I gave his Majesty [aged 42] and his Royal Highness [aged 38] an account of my charge, and returned to Queenborough [Map]; next day dined at Major Dorel's, Governor of Sheerness; thence, to Rochester, Kent [Map]; and the following day, home.
In 1291 John Botetort 1st Baron Botetort [aged 26] was appointed Governor of St Briavels Castle.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
In 1642 Thomas Blagge [aged 29] was appointed Governor of Wallingford Castle.
On 17th June 1644 William Sydenham [aged 29] was appointed Governor of Weymouth by Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 53].
In 1307 Robert Fitzpayn 1st Baron Fitzpayn [aged 53] was appointed Governor of Winchester Castle.
In 1247 Nicholas Moels [aged 52] was appointed Governor of the Channel Isles.
Richard Grey was appointed Governor of the Channel Isles.
On 14th August 1649 William Sydenham [aged 34] and Colonel Fleetwood were appointed Governor of the Isle of Wight.
In 1734 John Wallop 1st Earl Portsmouth [aged 43] was appointed Governor of the Isle of Wight which office he held until 1742.
In 1791 Thomas Orde-Powlett 1st Baron Bolton [aged 50] was appointed Governor of the Isle of Wight.
John Evelyn's Diary. 14th November 1671. To Council, where Sir Charles Wheeler [aged 51], late Governor of the Leeward Islands, having been complained of for many indiscreet managements, it was resolved, on scanning many of the particulars, to advise his Majesty [aged 41] to remove him; and consult what was to be done, to prevent these inconveniences he had brought things to. This business staid me in London almost a week, being in Council, or Committee, every morning till the 25th.
In 1608 William Godolphin [aged 41] was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.
Before 1636 William Godolphin was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.
On 18th April 1733 Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin [aged 54] was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.
In 1766 Francis Godolphin 2nd Baron Goldolphin [aged 59] was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Thomas Godolphin was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.
Sidney Godolphin was appointed Governor of the Scilly Isles.
In 1597 William Godolphin [aged 30] was appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Scilly Isles.
In 1739 Francis Godolphin 2nd Baron Goldolphin [aged 32] was appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Scilly Isles.