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: Savoy
On 4th September 1249 Amadeus V "Great" Savoy was born to [his father] Thomas Savoy II Count Flanders (age 50) and [his mother] Beatrice Fieschi.
In 1252 [his father] Thomas Savoy II Count Flanders (age 53) and [his mother] Beatrice Fieschi were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy and [his grandmother] Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy (age 72).
On 7th February 1259 [his father] Thomas Savoy II Count Flanders (age 60) died.
In 1272 Amadeus V "Great" Savoy (age 22) and Sybille Bagé were married. He the son of Thomas Savoy II Count Flanders and Beatrice Fieschi.
In 1282 Rhuddlan Castle [Map] was besieged by the Welsh until relieved by Amadeus V "Great" Savoy (age 32).
On 16th May 1282 [his brother] Thomas Savoy III Count Flanders (age 36) was killed during a border dispute with Humbert I of Viennois.
In 1284 [his son] Edward "Liberal" Savoy Count Savoy was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy (age 34) and [his wife] Sybille Bagé at Baugé. He married his second cousin once removed Blanche Burgundy Countess Savoy, daughter of Robert II Duke Burgundy and Agnes Capet Duchess Burgundy, and had issue.
On 15th December 1291 [his son] Aymon "Peaceful" Savoy Count Savoy was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy (age 42) and [his wife] Sybille Bagé. He married 1330 Yolande Palaeologina Countess Savoy and had issue.
In 1297 Amadeus V "Great" Savoy (age 47) and Marie Brabant were married. He the son of Thomas Savoy II Count Flanders and Beatrice Fieschi.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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In January 1297 Ralph Monthermer 1st Earl of Gloucester and Hertford (age 27) and Joan of Acre Countess Gloucester and Hertford (age 24) were married in secret greatly offending her father King Edward I of England (age 57) who had been planning to marry her to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy (age 47) in March. Ralph Monthermer 1st Earl of Gloucester and Hertford was imprisoned at Bristol Castle, Gloucestershire [Map]; he was released in August 1297. She the daughter of King Edward I of England and Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England.
On 16th October 1323 Amadeus V "Great" Savoy (age 74) died. His son Edward (age 39) succeeded Count Savoy.
[his daughter] Margaret Savoy was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy and Sybille Bagé.
[his daughter] Anna Savoy was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy and Marie Brabant.
[his daughter] Maria Savoy was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy and Marie Brabant.
[his daughter] Catherine Savoy Duchess Austria was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy and Marie Brabant. She married Leopold Habsburg I Duke Austria, son of Albert Habsburg I Duke Austria and Elizabeth Carinthia Duchess Austria, and had issue.
[his daughter] Beatrice Savoy was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy and Sybille Bagé.
[his daughter] Beatrice Savoy was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy and Marie Brabant.
[his son] John Savoy was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy and Sybille Bagé.
[his daughter] Bonne Savoy was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy and Sybille Bagé.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
[his daughter] Agnes Savoy was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy and Sybille Bagé.
[his daughter] Eleanor Savoy was born to Amadeus V "Great" Savoy and Sybille Bagé.
Kings Franks: Great x 15 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Bianca Maria Sforza Holy Roman Empress [2]
Anne of Brittany Queen Consort France [1]
Germaine Foix Queen Consort Aragon [1]
Marguerite Valois Orléans Queen Consort Navarre [2]
Mary of Guise Queen Consort Scotland [2]
Maximilian "The Great" Wittelsbach I Duke Bavaria I Elector Bavaria [1]
Maria Anna Wittelsbach Holy Roman Empress [1]
Electress Louise Juliana of the Palatine Rhine [1]
Ferdinand of Spain II Holy Roman Emperor [1]
Margaret of Austria Queen Consort Spain [1]
Anna of Austria Holy Roman Empress [1]
Eleonora Gonzaga Queen Consort Bohemia [3]
Maria Leopoldine Habsburg Spain Queen Consort Bohemia [1]
Marie Françoise Élisabeth of Savoy Queen Consort of Portugal [2]
Great x 4 Grandfather: Amadeus Savoy II Count Savoy
Great x 3 Grandfather: Humbert "Fat" Savoy II Count Savoy
Great x 2 Grandfather: Amadeus Savoy III Count Savoy
Great x 4 Grandfather: William I Count Burgundy 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Gisela Ivrea Countess Savoy
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ettiennette Countess Burgundy
Great x 1 Grandfather: Humbert Savoy III Count Savoy
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mahaut Albon Countess Savoy
GrandFather: Thomas Savoy I Count Savoy
Great x 1 Grandmother: Beatrice Macon Countess Savoy
Father: Thomas Savoy II Count Flanders
Great x 1 Grandfather: William I-Count Geneva
GrandMother: Margaret Geneva Countess Savoy
Mother: Beatrice Fieschi