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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Paternal Family Tree: Spelman
In 1465 [his father] Henry Spelman (age 35) and [his mother] Ela Narborough were married. She the coheiress of her father brought Narborough to the Spelman family.
In or before 1472 Thomas Shouldham of Marham and [his mother] Ela Narborough were married.
Around 1480 John Spelman was born to [his father] Henry Spelman (age 50) and [his mother] Ela Narborough.
On 18th September 1496 [his father] Henry Spelman (age 66) died. He and his wife [his mother] Ela Narborough were buried at All Saints Church, Narborough [Map].
Henry Spelman: In 1430 he was born to John Spelman of Stow Bekerton. In 1465 Henry Spelman and Ela Narborough were married. She the coheiress of her father brought Narborough to the Spelman family.
Ela Narborough: she was born to William Narborough. In or before 1472 Thomas Shouldham of Marham and she were married.
In 1498 John Spelman (age 18) and Elizabeth Frowick were married. They had thirteen sons and seven daughters.
In 1508 [his daughter] Elizabeth Spelman was born to John Spelman (age 28) and [his wife] Elizabeth Frowick. She married before 20th August 1548 Edmund Grey and had issue.
Around 1520 [his daughter] Ella Spelman was born to John Spelman (age 40) and [his wife] Elizabeth Frowick. She married on or after 20th March 1534 George Jerningham.
In 1531 John Spelman (age 51) was appointed Justice of the King's Bench.
On or after 20th March 1534, the date of the settlement, [his son-in-law] George Jerningham (age 19) and [his daughter] Ella Spelman (age 14) were married. They had six sons and four daughters.
On 15th May 1536 Queen Anne Boleyn (age 35) tried at the King's Hall in the Tower of London [Map].
Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk (age 63) was appointed Lord High Steward and presided. Henry Howard Earl of Surrey (age 20) attended. Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu (age 44) was one of the judges. Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester (age 34) was the principal witness.
The jurors were:
Charles Brandon 1st Duke of Suffolk (age 52).
Edward Clinton 1st Earl Lincoln (age 24).
Thomas Fiennes 9th Baron Dacre Gilsland (age 21).
George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon (age 49).
Thomas Manners 1st Earl of Rutland (age 44).
John Mordaunt 1st Baron Mordaunt (age 56).
Ralph Neville 4th Earl of Westmoreland (age 38).
Henry Parker 11th Baron Marshal 10th Baron Morley (age 55).
Edward Stanley 3rd Earl of Derby (age 27).
Thomas Stanley 2nd Baron Monteagle (age 28).
John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford (age 65).
Thomas Wentworth 1st Baron Wentworth (age 35).
Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester (age 40).
Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland.
Thomas Burgh 7th Baron Cobham 5th Baron Strabolgi 1st Baron Burgh (age 48).
Henry Courtenay 1st Marquess Exeter (age 40).
William Fitzalan 11th or 18th Earl of Arundel (age 60).
Henry Fitzalan 12th or 19th Earl of Arundel (age 24).
Thomas Audley 1st Baron Audley Walden (age 48).
Edward Powers Lord Powers.
William Sandys 1st Baron Sandys of the Vyne (age 66).
Thomas Ware.
Andrew Windsor 1st Baron Windsor (age 69).
George Brooke 9th Baron Cobham (age 39).
She was found guilty and sentenced to be beheaded. John Spelman (age 56) signed the death warrant.
After Anne's trial her brother George Boleyn Viscount Rochford (age 33) was also tried and found guilty.
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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In 1544 [his daughter] Elizabeth Spelman (age 36) died.
Before 27th December 1545 [his son] John Spelman of and [his daughter-in-law] Margaret Blennerhasset were married.
On 27th December 1545 [his son] John Spelman of died. He was buried at All Saints Church, Narborough [Map].
John Spelman of: he was born to John Spelman and Elizabeth Frowick. Before 27th December 1545 John Spelman of and Margaret Blennerhasset were married.
On 26th January 1546 John Spelman (age 66) died. On 5th November 1556 [his wife] Elizabeth Frowick died. They were buried at All Saints Church, Narborough [Map].
Elizabeth Frowick: John Coningsby of North Mimms and she were married. she was born to Henry Frowick of South Mimms and Anne Knollys. In 1498 John Spelman and she were married. They had thirteen sons and seven daughters.
[his son] Henry Spelman was born to John Spelman and Elizabeth Frowick. He married (1) Frances Sanders and had issue (2) Anne Knyvet, daughter of Thomas Knyvet and Muriel Howard Viscountess Lisle.
[his son] John Spelman of was born to John Spelman and Elizabeth Frowick. He married before 27th December 1545 Margaret Blennerhasset and had issue.
Engravings of Sepulchral Brasses Volume 1. Prate LXIX. Sir John Spelman And Lady, at Narburgh [Map], 1545.
Blomefield's Norf. vi. 162.
Sir John Spelman was third son of Henry Spelman, whose monument has been given under 1496. He was second justice of the king's bench, and before that one of the most eminent barristers of his time. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of Sir Henry Frowick, or Frouyk, of Gunnersbury, in Middlesex, who bore Azure, a chevron between three leopard's faces or, quartering Sturgeon, Azure, three sturgeons naiant in pale or, fretty gules. This is not only the first monument which represents the persons as kneeling at a prayer-desk, or prie-dieu, but is singular, in that the lines of the folds of his robe, and of the armorial bearings on hers, are not engraven, but relieved, as are the letters also of the inscription. It is our only example too of a judge in his robe and coif, and is executed in a style superior to most of its contemporaries. Above them is represented the resurrection of our Saviour, indicative of their hope, that in like manner they should be raised from the dead.
John Coningsby of North Mimms and Elizabeth Frowick were married.
GrandFather: John Spelman of Stow Bekerton 
Father: Henry Spelman
GrandFather: William Narborough 
Mother: Ela Narborough