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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Calendar of Papal Letters is in Calendars.
15th May 1344. 169. Ides of May. Villeneuve by Avignon. (f. 251.)
To the bishop of St. Asaph. Mandate to absolve John de Warenna [aged 57], earl of Surrey and Strathearn, lord of Bromfield and Yal, from the excommunication which he has incurred by intermarrying with Joan [aged 48], daughter of Henry [aged 85], count of Barre, whose [Joan's] mother's [Eleanor Plantagenet] sister Mary he had carnally known. A penance is to be enjoined, and as to the marriage, canonical action is to be taken.
5th June 1344. 173. 2 Non. June. Avignon. (f. 126d).
Declaration of the validity of the dispensation in regard to the fourth degree of kindred granted to John, earl of Warenne [aged 57], and Joan de Barre [aged 48] by Clement V. thirty-three years ago, and of all like dispensations; seeing that the said earl, pretending that the said dispensation was invalid, because his wife was related in the third degree to the common stock and he in the fourth, has put away his wife, and contrary opinions have been given by divers doctors touching the same matter.
17th July 1344. 189. 16 Kal. Aug. Avignon. (f. 279d.)
To the archbishop of Canterbury and his official. Inhibition touching the case of John, earl of Warrenne [aged 58], and Joan de Barre [aged 48], his wife, in regard to which Joan has been molested in the archbishop's court, contrary to the pope's declaration in the matter.
1st August 1344. 522. 2 Kal. Aug. Villeneuve by Avignon. (f. 215d.)
Confirmation, with expemplification, at the request of Richard de Baskervile, knight, and Isabella his wife, of the diocese of Hereford, of the letters issued by Clement VI. 2 Non. June, anno 3, ruling, in the case of John, earl of Warenne [aged 58], and Joan de Barro [aged 48], that dispensation for the marriage of persons related in the fourth degree of kindred shall hold good if they are related in the fourth and third degrees.
13th September 1344. Ides of Sept. Avignon. (f. 453.). 595.
Decree, at the request of Robert de Bures, Knight, of the diocese of Norwich, giving force to the copy of decree of Clement VI. dated 2 Non. June, anno 3, touching the dispensation granted by Clement V. to John, earl of Warenne [aged 58], and Joan de Barro [aged 48], they having been married for thirty-three years, a question having arisen as to their being related in the third and fourth degrees of kindred, whereby John repudiated his wife.