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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Waldon Priory and Abbey is in Walden Abbey and Priory [Map].
Between 1136 and 1143 Geoffrey Mandeville 1st Earl Essex founded Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map] as a Benedictine Monastery.
In August 1144 Geoffrey Mandeville 1st Earl Essex was killed at Barnwell Castle [Map]. His son Geoffrey succeeded 2nd Earl Essex. He had requested burial at his foundation Walden Priory [Map] but was denied since he was excomunicate. His remains were taken for burial at Temple Church, London [Map]
Around 1166 Geoffrey Mandeville 2nd Earl Essex died. Geoffrey Mandeville 2nd Earl Essex was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His brother William succeeded 3rd Earl Essex.
Around 1190 Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map] was elevated to become an Abbey.
On 26th November 1298 Maud Fiennes Countess Essex and Hereford [aged 44] died. She was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map].
On 31st December 1298 Humphrey Bohun 3rd Earl Hereford 2nd Earl Essex [aged 49] died. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son Humphrey [aged 22] succeeded 4th Earl Hereford, 3rd Earl Essex.
On 5th May 1316 Isabel Bohun was born to Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex [aged 40] and Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland [aged 33]. His mother Princess Elizabeth of Rhuddlan Countess Essex, Hereford and Holland died in childbirth. She was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. She a granddaughter of King Edward I of England.
On 16th September 1360 William Bohun 1st Earl of Northampton [aged 50] died. He was buried either in the Courtenay Chantry Chapel at Exeter Cathedral [Map] or at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son Humphrey [aged 19] succeeded 2nd Earl of Northampton. Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton [aged 13] by marriage Countess of Northampton.
On 16th January 1373 Humphrey Bohun 7th Earl Hereford 6th Earl Essex 2nd Earl of Northampton [aged 31] died. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. Earl Hereford, Earl Essex, Earl of Northampton extinct. His estates were divided between his two daughters Eleanor Bohun Duchess Gloucester [aged 7], wife of Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester [aged 18] and Mary Bohun [aged 5], wife of Henry of Bolingbroke [aged 5], the future Henry IV, although the title and estates should have been inherited Gilbert Bohun who was a grandson of Humphrey Bohun 2nd Earl Hereford 1st Earl Essex.
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 2nd September 1399 Humphrey Plantagenet 2nd Earl Buckingham [aged 18] died. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. Earl Buckingham extinct.
On 7th April 1419 Joan Fitzalan Countess Essex, Hereford and Northampton [aged 72] died. She was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map].
Before January 1536 Bishop William More was appointed Abbot of Walden Abbey in commendam.
On 28th May 1626 Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk [aged 64] died at Charing Cross [Map]. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son Theophilus [aged 43] succeeded 2nd Earl Suffolk. Elizabeth Home Countess Suffolk [aged 27] by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 3rd June 1640 Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk [aged 57] died at Suffolk House, Suffolk Street. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son James [aged 21] succeeded 3rd Earl Suffolk, 3rd Baron Howard de Walden.
On 7th January 1689 James Howard 3rd Earl Suffolk [aged 69] died at Great Chesterford. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. Baron Howard de Walden abeyant. His brother George [aged 63] succeeded 4th Earl Suffolk. Anne "Mary" Wroth Countess Suffolk by marriage Countess Suffolk.
On 19th September 1718 Henry Howard 6th Earl Suffolk [aged 48] died. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son Charles [aged 25] succeeded 7th Earl Suffolk.
On 8th May 1722 Charles William Howard 7th Earl Suffolk [aged 28] died. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His uncle Edward [aged 50] succeeded 8th Earl Suffolk.
On 28th September 1733 Charles Howard 9th Earl Suffolk [aged 58] died. He was buried at Waldon Priory and Abbey [Map]. His son Henry [aged 26] succeeded 10th Earl Suffolk.