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 is in Kings.
1431 French Coronation of Henry VI
1515 Louis XII King France succeeded by Francis I
1547 Death of King Francis I of France Accession of Henry II
1559 Henry II of France Dies Francis and Mary "Queen of Scots" Succeeds
1560 Death of King Francis II of France
On 1st January 1515 Louis XII King France [aged 52] died. His first cousin once removed Francis [aged 20] succeeded I King France: Capet Valois Angoulême.
On 31st March 1547 King Francis I of France [aged 52] died. His son Henry [aged 28] succeeded II King France: Capet Valois Angoulême.
On 25th July 1547 King Henry II of France [aged 28] was crowned II King France: Capet Valois Angoulême.
On 10th July 1559 King Henry II of France [aged 40] was killed whilst jousting in celebration of his daughter's [aged 14] marriage to Philip "The Prudent" II King Spain [aged 32]. His son Francis [aged 15] succeeded II King France: Capet Valois Angoulême. Mary Queen of Scots [aged 16] by marriage Queen Consort France. They would reign for eighteen months only with Francis dying in Dec 1560. Francis and Mary would have no issue.
On 5th December 1560 Francis II King France King Consort Scotland [aged 16] died, possibly from an ear abscess, in the Hotel Groslot, Orléans. On 23rd December 1560 he was buried at the Basilica of St Denis [Map]. His brother Charles [aged 10] succeeded IX King France: Capet Valois Angoulême; his mother Catherine Medici Queen Consort France [aged 41] acted as Regent. His wife Mary Queen of Scots [aged 17] returned to Scotland arriving at Leith 19th August 1561 after having been in France for thirteen years.
On 30th May 1574 Charles IX King France [aged 23] died. His brother Henry [aged 22] succeeded III King France: Capet Valois Angoulême.
On 13th February 1575 Henry III King France [aged 23] was crowned III King France: Capet Valois Angoulême at Reims Cathedral.
On 12th May 1575 Henry III King France [aged 23] Abdicated King France: Capet Valois Angoulême. His second cousin Henry [aged 21] succeeded IV King France: Capet Valois Bourbon.
On 12th May 1575 Henry III King France [aged 23] Abdicated King France: Capet Valois Angoulême. His second cousin Henry [aged 21] succeeded IV King France: Capet Valois Bourbon.
On 14th May 1610 Henry IV King France [aged 56] was murdered by François Ravaillac, a Catholic zealot who stabbed him while his coach was stopped on Rue de la Ferronnerie. His son Louis [aged 8] succeeded XIII King France: Capet Valois Bourbon.
On 14th May 1643 Louis XIII King France [aged 41] died. His son Louis [aged 4] succeeded XIV King France: Capet Valois Bourbon.
On 1st September 1715 Louis "Sun King" XIV King France [aged 76] died at Palace of Versailles, Versailles. His great grandson Louis [aged 5] succeeded XV King France: Capet Valois Bourbon.
On 10th May 1774 Louis XV King France [aged 64] died of smallpox. His grandson Louis [aged 19] succeeded XVI King France: Capet Valois Bourbon.
On 21st January 1793 Louis XVI King France [aged 38] was guillotined in Paris [Map]. His son Louis [aged 7] de jure XVII King France: Capet Valois Bourbon.
On 8th June 1795 Louis XVII King France [aged 10] died. His uncle Louis [aged 39] de jure XVIII King France: Capet Valois Bourbon.
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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On 16th September 1824 Louis XVIII King France [aged 68] died. His brother Charles [aged 66] de jure XVIII King France: Capet Valois Bourbon.
On 21st October 1422 Charles "Beloved Mad" VI King France [aged 53] died at Hôtel Saint Pol, Paris [Map]. The succession of the French throne was disputed between:
King Henry VI succeeded II King France: Lancaster
Charles "Victorious" VII King France [aged 19] succeeded VII King France: Capet Valois. Marie Valois Anjou Queen Consort France [aged 18] by marriage Queen Consort France.
On 16th December 1431 Henry VI [aged 10] was crowned II King France: Lancaster at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral [Map] by Cardinal Henry Beaufort [aged 56]. A somewhat futile exercise; the last gasps of the Hundred Years War. The ceremony had been arranged by John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 42]. His wife Anne Valois Duchess of Bedford [aged 27] attended.
Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford [aged 53] was appointed Carver.
Thomas Harrington [aged 31], Richard Archer [aged 44], Hugh Courtenay 4th or 12th Earl Devon and his son Thomas [aged 17] attended.