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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25 Apr 1646 Battle of Hedgeley Moor is in 1461-1464 Edward IV takes the Crown.
On 25th April 1464 a Yorkist army commanded by John Neville 1st Marquess Montagu [aged 33] defeated a Lancastrian army commanded by Henry Beaufort 2nd or 3rd Duke of Somerset [aged 28] at Hedgeley Moor, Northumberland [Map] during the Battle of Hedley Moor.
Of the Lancastrians...
Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley [aged 36] was killed. His son Edmund [aged 9] succeeded 10th Baron Ros Helmsley. Thomas' lands however, including Belvoir Castle [Map] were given by King Edward IV of England [aged 21] to William Hastings 1st Baron Hastings [aged 33].
Ralph Percy [aged 39] was killed.
Edmund Ros 10th Baron Ros Helmsley: Around 1455 he was born to Thomas Ros 9th Baron Ros Helmsley and Philippa Tiptoft Baroness Ros of Helmsley. On 23rd October 1508 Edmund Ros 10th Baron Ros Helmsley died. Baron Ros Helmsley abeyant between his daughters annd their descendants.
Chronicle of Edward Hall [1496-1548]. [25th April 1464] Lorde Montacute, forgat not the office of a good capitain, nor beyng well furnished with suche as he knewe would neither flie backeward, nor stande still lookyng, and not fightyng, thought no leger to tract the tyme, but with a valiant corage, marched forward toward his enemies, and in his iorney, he was inconntered, with the lorde Hungerford, tho Lorde Roos, sir Raufe Percy, and diverse other, at a place called Hegely More. Where sodainly thesaied lordes, in maner, without stroke strikyng, fled, and onely sir Raufe Percy abode, and was there manfully slain, with diverse other, saiyiig, when he was diyng: I have saued the birde in my bosome: meanyng that he had kept, both his promise and othe, to kyng Henry the VI: Forgettyng that he in kyng Henries moste necessitie, abandoned him and submitted hym to kyng Edward, (as you before have heard.)
Grafton's Chronicle [1507-1573]. [25th April 1464] The Lorde Montacute, forgat not the office of a good Capitaine, and beyng well furnished with such as he knewe would neyther flye backwarde, nor stande still lokyng on, thought no lenger to tract the tyme, but with a valiant courage marched forwarde towarde his enemies, and encountered with the Lorde Hungerford, the Lorde Roos, syr Rauie Percye, and diuers other, at a place called Hegely More. Where sodainly the sayde Lordes in maner without stroke strikyng fled, and onely syr Raufe Percy abode, and was there manfully slain, with divers other, saiyng, when he was diyng: I bauve saved the birde in my bosome: meanyng that he had kept, both his promise and othe to king Henry the sixt.
Chronicle of Gregory. Ande in the wey thedyrwarde there met with him that fals Duke of Somersette, Syr Raffe Percy, the Lord Hungerforde, and the Lord Roos, whythe alle her company, to the nombyr of vM [5000] men of armys. And this metynge was a pon Synte Markys day; and that same day was Syr Raffe Percy slayne. And whenn that he was dede alle the party was schomfytyd and put to rebuke. Ande every man avoydyd and toke his way with full sory hertys. And then my Lord of Mountegeue toke his hors and roode to Norham, and fecchyd yn the Schottys, and brought them unto the Lordys Commyssyonourys. And there was concludyd a pes [Note. peace] for xv year with the Schottys. And the Schottys ben trewe it moste nedys contynu so longe, but hit is harde for to tryste unto hem, for they byn evyr founde full of gyle and dyssayte.