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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Norbury, Derbyshire is in Derbyshire Dales.
Around 1320 Piers Legh was born at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map].
In 1330 William Fitzherbert was born to William Fizherbert [aged 22] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. He married before 1364 Alice Longford and had issue.
Around 1365 Henry Fitzherbert was born to William Fitzherbert [aged 35] and Alice Longford [aged 35] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. He married Isabella Downes and had issue.
In 1400 Nicholas Fitzherbert was born to Henry Fitzherbert [aged 35] and Isabella Downes [aged 31] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. He married (1) in or before 1424 Alice Booth and had issue (2) in or after 1453 Isabel aka Elizabeth Ludlow.
Around 1428 Ralph Fitzherbert was born to Nicholas Fitzherbert [aged 28] and Alice Booth [aged 14] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. He married in or before 1450 Elizabeth Marshall and had issue.
Around 1435 Joanna Fitzherbert was born to Nicholas Fitzherbert [aged 35] and Alice Booth [aged 21] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. She married (1) John Cotton of Ridware (2) after 1469 John Cotton and had issue.
Around 1450 Agnes Fitzherbert was born to Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 22] and Elizabeth Marshall [aged 13] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map].
Around 1457 Edith Fitzherbert was born to Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 29] and Elizabeth Marshall [aged 20] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. She married before 1476 Thomas Babington of Dethick and had issue.
In 1464 Henry Fitzherbert was born to Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 36] and Elizabeth Marshall [aged 27] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. He married Elizabeth Goodwin.
Around 1466 Anthony Fitzherbert of Hamstall Ridware was born to Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 38] and Elizabeth Marshall [aged 29] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. He married (1) 1507 Dorothy Willoughby (2) after 1507 Maud aka Matilda Cotton and had issue.
Around 1468 Dorothy Fitzherbert was born to Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 40] and Elizabeth Marshall [aged 31] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. She married Thomas Comberford.
In 1470 Richard Fitzherbert was born to Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 42] and Elizabeth Marshall [aged 33] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map].
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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In 1472 Thomas Fitzherbert was born to Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 44] and Elizabeth Marshall [aged 35] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map].
In 1474 Margaret Fitzherbert was born to Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 46] and Elizabeth Marshall [aged 37] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. She married Thomas Purefoy and had issue.
In 1474 William Fitzherbert was born to Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 46] and Elizabeth Marshall [aged 37] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map].
Around September 1480 Elizabeth Fitzherbert was born to John Fitzherbert [aged 18] and Benedicta Bradbourne [aged 20] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. She married Philip Draycott and had issue.
In 1483 Alice Fitzherbert was born to Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 55] and Elizabeth Marshall [aged 46] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map].
On 2nd March 1484 Ralph Fitzherbert [aged 56] died at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. He was buried at Church of St Barlok, Norbury [Map].
On 20th October 1490 Elizabeth Marshall [aged 53] died. She was buried at Church of St Barlok, Norbury [Map].
Monument to Ralph and Elizabeth. Finely made in Chellaston alabaster of the Fluted Period. Possibly Harpur and Moorecock of Burton on Trent. Fitzherbert Clenched Fist Crest. His effigy notable for being the only remaining with the Yorkist Boar Pendant (boar of Richard III) on his Suns and Roses Collar.
Ralph Fitzherbert: Around 1428 he was born to Nicholas Fitzherbert and Alice Booth at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. In or before 1450 Ralph Fitzherbert and Elizabeth Marshall were married. They had seven sons and five daughters.
Elizabeth Marshall: Around 1437 she was born to John Marshall.
Around 1515 Elizabeth Fitzherbert was born to Anthony Fitzherbert of Hamstall Ridware [aged 49] and Maud aka Matilda Cotton [aged 27] at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map]. She married William Bassett and had issue.
In 1521 Lawrence Hyde was born at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map].
On 27th May 1538 Anthony Fitzherbert of Hamstall Ridware [aged 72] died at Norbury, Derbyshire [Map].
The River Dove rises on Axe Edge Moor, Derbyshire [Map] after which it travels broadly south past Longnor, Saffordshire [Map], Pilsbury [Map], Hartington, Derbyshire [Map], Milldale, Derbyshire [Map], Thorpe, Derbyshire [Map], just before whic it is joined by the River Manifold, Mapleton, Derbyshire [Map], Mayfield, Staffordshire [Map], Norbury, Derbyshire [Map], Rocester, Staffordshire [Map], Sudbury Hall, Derbyshire [Map] and Tutbury Castle, Staffordshire [Map] before joining the River Trent at Newton Solney, Derbyshire [Map].