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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King France: Capet is in King France.
On 3rd July 987 Hugh I King of the Franks [aged 46] was crowned I King France: Capet. Adelaide Poitiers Queen Consort France [aged 42] by marriage Queen France: Capet.
On 30th December 987 Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks [aged 15] was crowned II King France: Capet.
On 24th October 996 Hugh I King of the Franks [aged 55] died. His son Robert [aged 24] succeeded II King France: Capet.
In 999 Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks [aged 26] and Bertha Welf Queen Consort France [aged 35] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. They separated sometime before 1003 as a consequence of their consanguinity. She the daughter of Conrad I King Burgundy and Mathilde Carolingian Queen Consort Burgundy. He the son of Hugh I King of the Franks and Adelaide Poitiers Queen Consort France [aged 54]. They were second cousins.
In 1003 Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks [aged 30] and Constance Arles Queen Consort France [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of William "Liberator" Arles 1st Count Provence 1st Count Arles and Adelaide Blanche Ingelger Queen Consort West Francia [aged 63]. He the son of Hugh I King of the Franks and Adelaide Poitiers Queen Consort France [aged 58].
On 14th May 1027 Henry I King of the Franks [aged 19] was crowned I King France: Capet at Reims Cathedral whilst his father was still living.
On 20th July 1031 Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks [aged 59] died at Melun, Seine et Marne. His son Henry [aged 23] succeeded I King France: Capet.
In 1034 Matilda Brunonids Queen Consort France by marriage Queen Consort of France.
In 1034 Henry I King of the Franks [aged 25] and Matilda Brunonids Queen Consort France were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Liudolf Brunonids Margrave Frisia [aged 31]. He the son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks and Constance Arles Queen Consort France [aged 48].
On 19th May 1051 Henry I King of the Franks [aged 43] and Anne of Kiev Queen Consort Francia [aged 21] were married at Reims Cathedral, Reims. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. The difference in their ages was 21 years. He the son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks and Constance Arles Queen Consort France.
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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In 1059 Philip I King of the Franks [aged 6] was crowned I King France: Capet.
On 4th August 1060 Henry I King of the Franks [aged 52] died. His son Philip [aged 8] succeeded I King France: Capet.
In 1072 Philip I King of the Franks [aged 19] and Bertha Gerulfing Queen Consort France [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Floris Gerulfing I Count Holland and Gertrude Billung Countess Holland [aged 42]. He the son of Henry I King of the Franks and Anne of Kiev Queen Consort Francia [aged 42]. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
On 15th May 1092 Philip I King of the Franks [aged 39] and Bertrade Montfort Queen Consort France [aged 22] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. They were married despite their both having living spouses: Bertha Gerulfing Queen Consort France [aged 37] and Fulk "Réchin" Anjou 4th Count Anjou [aged 49] respectively. He the son of Henry I King of the Franks and Anne of Kiev Queen Consort Francia. They were fourth cousin once removed.
On 30th July 1108 Philip I King of the Franks [aged 56] died. His son Louis [aged 26] succeeded VI King France: Capet.
In 1115 Louis VI King of the Franks [aged 33] and Adelaide Savoy Queen Consort France were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Humbert "Fat" Savoy II Count Savoy and Gisela Ivrea Countess Savoy [aged 45]. He the son of Philip I King of the Franks and Bertha Gerulfing Queen Consort France. They were fourth cousin twice removed.
On 28th April 1180 King Philip II of France [aged 14] and Isabelle Flanders Queen Consort France [aged 10] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Baldwin Flanders V Count Hainaut [aged 30] and Margaret Metz Countess Hainaut and Flanders. He the son of Louis VII King of the Franks [aged 60] and Adèle Queen of the Franks. They were half third cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King William "Conqueror" I of England.
On 18th September 1180 Louis VII King of the Franks [aged 60] died in Paris [Map]. His son Philip [aged 15] succeeded II King France: Capet.
On 1st November 1180 King Philip II of France [aged 15] was crowned King France: Capet.
On 15th August 1193 King Philip II of France [aged 27] and Ingeborg Estridsen Queen Consort France [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Valdemar "Great" I King of Denmark. He the son of Louis VII King of the Franks and Adèle Queen of the Franks.
On 7th May 1196 King Philip II of France [aged 30] and Agnes of Merania Queen Consort France were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Berthold Andechs Duke Merania and Agnes Rochlitz. He the son of Louis VII King of the Franks and Adèle Queen of the Franks.
On 14th July 1223 King Philip II of France [aged 57] died. His son Louis [aged 35] succeeded VIII King France: Capet. Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France [aged 35] by marriage Queen Consort of France.
Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke
Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.
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On 8th November 1226 King Louis VIII of France [aged 39] died. His son Louis [aged 12] succeeded IX King France: Capet.
On 27th May 1234 King Louis IX of France [aged 20] and Margaret Provence Queen Consort France [aged 13] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Raymond IV Count Provence [aged 36] and Beatrice Savoy Countess Provence [aged 36]. He the son of King Louis VIII of France and Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France [aged 46]. They were half third cousins. He a great grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 25th August 1270 King Louis IX of France [aged 56] died. His son Philip [aged 25] succeeded III King France: Capet. Isabella Barcelona Queen Consort France [aged 22] by marriage Queen Consort France.
On 21st August 1274 King Philip III of France [aged 29] and Maria of Brabant Queen Consort France [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Henry Reginar III Duke Brabant and Adelaide Burgundy Duchess Brabant. He the son of King Louis IX of France and Margaret Provence Queen Consort France [aged 53]. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Stephen I England.
On 16th August 1284 King Philip IV of France [aged 16] and Joan Blois I Queen Navarre [aged 11] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Henry I King Navarre and Blanche Capet Queen Navarre [aged 36]. He the son of King Philip III of France [aged 39] and Isabella Barcelona Queen Consort France. They were second cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 5th October 1285 King Philip III of France [aged 40] died of dysentery; see Annals of Dunstable. His son Philip [aged 17] succeeded IV King France: Capet. Joan Blois I Queen Navarre [aged 12] by marriage Queen Consort of France.
In 1307 Charles IV King France I King Navarre [aged 12] and Blanche of Burgundy Queen Consort France [aged 10] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Otto Ivrea IV Count Burgundy and Mahaut Artois Countess Burgundy [aged 39]. He the son of King Philip IV of France [aged 38] and Joan Blois I Queen Navarre. They were second cousins. 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.
On 29th November 1314 King Philip IV of France [aged 46] died. His son Louis [aged 25] succeeded X King France: Capet. Margaret of Burgundy Queen Consort France [aged 24] by marriage Queen Consort of France although she was in prison for adultery at the time and died four months later.
On 5th June 1316 Louis X King France I Navarre [aged 26] died. On 15th November 1316 His son John succeeded posthumously I King France: Capet.
On 20th November 1316 John "The Posthumous" I King France died. His uncle Philip [aged 23] succeeded V King France: Capet. He also claimed the Kingdom of Navarre although he had no hereditary right to do so since the Kingdom of Navarre was subject to inheritance by the female as well as male line meaning the four year old Joan Capet II Queen Navarre [aged 4] was successor by right. The Navarese didn't recognise his claim.
On 3rd January 1322 Philip V King France I King Navarre [aged 29] died. His brother Charles [aged 27] succeeded IV King France: Capet, I King Navarre although his niece was by right successor to the Kingdom of Navarre.
After 19th May 1322 Charles IV King France I King Navarre [aged 27] and Marie Luxemburg Queen Consort France [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Henry Luxemburg VII Holy Roman Emperor and Margaret Brabant Countess Luxemburg and Namur. He the son of King Philip IV of France and Joan Blois I Queen Navarre. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
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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On 5th July 1324 Charles IV King France I King Navarre [aged 30] and Joan Évreux Queen Consort France [aged 14] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Louis I Count Évreux and Margaret Artois Countess Évreux. He the son of King Philip IV of France and Joan Blois I Queen Navarre. They were half first cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 28th July 1332 King John "The Good" II of France [aged 13] and Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France [aged 17] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of King John I of Bohemia [aged 35] and Queen Elizabeth of Bohemia. He the son of King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France [aged 38] and Joan "Lame" Burgundy Queen Consort France [aged 39]. They were fourth cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
On 11th January 1350 King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France [aged 56] and Blanche Évreux Queen Consort France [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. The difference in their ages was 37 years. She the daughter of Philip "Noble" III King Navarre and Joan Capet II Queen Navarre. He the son of Charles Valois I Count Valois and Margaret Capet Countess Valois. They were half first cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 19th February 1350 King John "The Good" II of France [aged 30] and Joan Auvergne Queen Consort France [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of William Auvergne XII Count Auvergne II Count Boulogne and Margaret Évreux Countess Auvergne and Boulogne. He the son of King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France [aged 56] and Joan "Lame" Burgundy Queen Consort France. They were half second cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 8th April 1350 King Charles V of France [aged 11] and Joanna Bourbon Queen Consort France [aged 12] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Peter Bourbon Duke Bourbon [aged 39] and Isabella Valois Duchess Bourbon [aged 37]. He the son of King John "The Good" II of France [aged 30] and Bonne Luxemburg Queen Consort France. They were half first cousin once removed. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 17th July 1385 Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France [aged 16] and Isabeau Wittelsbach Queen Consort France [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Stephen "Magnificient Fop" Wittelsbach III Duke Bavaria [aged 48] and Taddea Visconti Duchess Bavaria. He the son of King Charles V of France and Joanna Bourbon Queen Consort France. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry III of England.
In 1422 Marie Valois Anjou Queen Consort France [aged 17] was crowned Queen Consort of France.
On 22nd July 1461 Charles "Victorious" VII King France [aged 58] died. His son Louis [aged 38] succeeded XI King France: Capet Valois. Queen Charlotte of Savoy [aged 19] by marriage Queen Consort of France.
On 2nd July 1466 François Valois Duke Longueville [aged 19] and Agnès de Savoy Duchess Longueville were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. He the son of Jean "Bastard of Orléans" Valois Count Dunois Count Longueville [aged 63] and Marie Harcourt.
In 1476 Louis XII King France [aged 13] and Joan Valois Queen Consort France [aged 11] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of King Louis XI of France [aged 52] and Queen Charlotte of Savoy [aged 34]. He the son of Charles Valois Duke Orléans and Mary de la Marck Duchess Orléans. They were second cousin once removed.
Before 11th October 1492 Charles VIII King France [aged 22] and Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. He the son of King Louis XI of France and Queen Charlotte of Savoy. They were third cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 8th January 1499 Louis XII King France [aged 36] and Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France [aged 21] were married at Nantes [Map]. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. Her second marriage to a King of France having been first married to Charles VIII King France. The French Crown was determined to acquire Brittany. Louis and Anne's daughter Claude married King Francis I of France [aged 4] at which time Brittany was merged with the Crown of France. He the son of Charles Valois Duke Orléans and Mary de la Marck Duchess Orléans. They were first cousin once removed. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
On 18th May 1514 King Francis I of France [aged 19] and Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France [aged 14] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Louis XII King France [aged 51] and Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France [aged 37]. He the son of Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême and Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême [aged 37]. They were second cousins.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 4th July 1530 King Francis I of France [aged 35] and Eleanor of Austria Queen Consort France Queen Consort Portugal [aged 31] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Philip "Handsome Fair" King Castile and Joanna "The Mad" Trastámara Queen Castile [aged 51]. He the son of Charles Valois Orléans Count Angoulême and Louise of Savoy Countess Angoulême [aged 53]. They were second cousin once removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 28th October 1533 King Henry II of France [aged 14] and Catherine Medici Queen Consort France [aged 14] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. He the son of King Francis I of France [aged 39] and Claude Valois Orléans Queen Consort France. They were sixth cousins.
On 26th November 1570 Charles IX King France [aged 20] and Elisabeth of Austria Queen Consort France [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Maximilian Habsburg Spain II Holy Roman Emperor [aged 43] and Maria of Spain Holy Roman Empress [aged 42]. He the son of King Henry II of France and Catherine Medici Queen Consort France [aged 51]. They were fourth cousins.
On 18th August 1572 Henry IV King France [aged 18] and Margaret Valois Queen Consort France [aged 19] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of King Henry II of France and Catherine Medici Queen Consort France [aged 53]. He the son of Antoine King Navarre and Jeanne Albret III Queen Navarre. They were second cousins.
On 17th December 1600 Henry IV King France [aged 47] and Marie de Medici Queen Consort France [aged 25] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. The difference in their ages was 21 years. He the son of Antoine King Navarre and Jeanne Albret III Queen Navarre. They were fourth cousins.
In 1615 Louis XIII King France [aged 13] and Anne of Austria Spain Queen Consort France [aged 13] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Philip III King Spain [aged 36] and Margaret of Austria Queen Consort Spain. He the son of Henry IV King France and Marie de Medici Queen Consort France [aged 39]. They were second cousins.
In 1660 Louis "Sun King" XIV King France [aged 21] and Maria Theresa of Spain Queen Consort France [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Philip IV King Spain [aged 54] and Elisabeth Bourbon Queen Consort Spain. He the son of Louis XIII King France and Anne of Austria Spain Queen Consort France [aged 58]. They were double first cousins.
In September 1725 Louis XV King France [aged 15] and Marie Leszczyńska Queen Consort France [aged 22] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. He the son of Louis Bourbon Duke Burgundy and Maria Adelaide Savoy.
Anne of Kiev Queen Consort Francia by marriage as Queen Consort of France.
Joan Valois Queen Consort France was crowned Queen Consort of France.
King Philip "Fortunate" VI of France and Joan "Lame" Burgundy Queen Consort France were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Robert II Duke Burgundy and Agnes Capet Duchess Burgundy. He the son of Charles Valois I Count Valois and Margaret Capet Countess Valois. They were first cousin once removed. He a great x 4 grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.
Philip V King France I King Navarre and Joan of Burgundy Queen Consort France were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Otto Ivrea IV Count Burgundy and Mahaut Artois Countess Burgundy. He the son of King Philip IV of France and Joan Blois I Queen Navarre. They were second cousins. 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.
Anne of Austria Spain Queen Consort France by marriage Queen Consort of France.
Blanche Ivrea Queen Consort France was crowned Queen Consort of France.
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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Louis X King France I Navarre and Clementia Hungary Queen Consort France were married. She by marriage Queen Consort of France. She the daughter of Charles Martel King Hungary and Clementia Habsburg. He the son of King Philip IV of France and Joan Blois I Queen Navarre. They were third cousins. 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.