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: Capet
In 1429 [her father] Peter Aviz I Duke Coimbra (age 36) and [her mother] Isabella Urgell were married. He the son of [her grandfather] King John I of Portugal (age 77) and [her grandmother] Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal.
In 1432 Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal was born to [her father] Peter Aviz I Duke Coimbra (age 39) and [her mother] Isabella Urgell. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 13th September 1438 [her uncle] Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal (age 46) died. His son [her future husband] Alfonso (age 6) succeeded V King Portugal.
In 1447 [her husband] Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 14) was appointed 164th Knight of the Garter by King Henry VI of England and II of France (age 25).
In 1447 Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 14) and Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal (age 15) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal and Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. They were first cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 20th May 1449 [her father] Peter Aviz I Duke Coimbra (age 56) died.
On 29th January 1451 [her son] John Aviz was born to [her husband] Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 19) and Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal (age 19). He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 7.45%. He died aged less than one years old.
On 29th January 1451 [her son] John Aviz died.
On 6th February 1452 [her daughter] Joan Aviz was born to [her husband] Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 20) and Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal (age 20). She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 7.45%.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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On 16th March 1452 Frederick "Peaceful or Fat" Habsburg III Holy Roman Emperor (age 36) was appointed III Holy Roman Emperor at St Peter's Basilica, Vatican. In the afternoon of the same day Frederick "Peaceful or Fat" Habsburg III Holy Roman Emperor and [her sister-in-law] Eleanor Aviz Holy Roman Empress (age 17) were married at St Peter's Basilica, Vatican. She by marriage Holy Roman Empress. She the daughter of [her uncle] Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal and Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of Ernest "The Iron" Habsburg I Duke Austria and Cymburgis Masovia Duchess Austria.
In 1455 Henry IV King Castile (age 29) and [her sister-in-law] Joan Aviz Queen Consort Castile (age 15) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Castile. She the daughter of [her uncle] Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal and Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of John II King Castile and Maria Trastámara Queen Consort Castile. They were first cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
In 1455 Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal (age 23) died.
On 3rd March 1455 [her son] John II King Portugal was born to [her former husband] Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 23) and Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal. He a great x 3 grandson of King Edward III of England. Coefficient of inbreeding 7.45%. He married 1470 his first cousin Eleanor Viseu Queen Consort Portugal and had issue.
In 1475 [her former husband] Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 42) and Joanna "La Beltraneja" Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal (age 12) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Portugal. The difference in their ages was 30 years. She the daughter of Henry IV King Castile and [her former sister-in-law] Joan Aviz Queen Consort Castile (age 35). He the son of [her uncle] Edward "The Philosopher" I King Portugal and Eleanor Trastámara Queen Consort Portugal. They were uncle and niece. He a great x 2 grandson of King Edward III of England. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Edward III of England.
On 28th August 1481 [her former husband] Alfonso "The African" V King Portugal (age 49) died. His son [her son] John (age 26) succeeded II King Portugal. [her daughter-in-law] Eleanor Viseu Queen Consort Portugal (age 23) by marriage Queen Consort Portugal.
Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Godwinson: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 2 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso III King Portugal 
Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Denis I King Portugal 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Beatrice Queen Consort Portugal 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alfonso "Brave" IV King Portugal 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Peter III King Aragon 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elisabeth Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Hohenstaufen Queen Consort Aragon 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Peter I King Portugal 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso X King Castile X King Leon 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Sancho IV King Castile IV King Leon 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Violante Barcelona Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Beatrice Ivrea Queen Consort Portugal 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maria Molina Queen Consort Castile Queen Consort Leon
GrandFather: King John I of Portugal 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Pedro Fernández de Castro
Great x 1 Grandmother: Inês Castro
Father: Peter Aviz I Duke Coimbra Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Edward I of England 
Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: King Edward II of England Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Edward III of England Son of King Edward II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Philip IV of France 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella of France Queen Consort England 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Blois I Queen Navarre 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John of Avesnes II Count Hainaut II Count Holland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William of Avesnes I Count Hainaut III Count Avesnes III Count Holland II Count Zeeland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Philippa Luxemburg Countess Hainaut and Holland 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Philippa of Hainaut Queen Consort England 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Stephen I England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Valois I Count Valois 3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Valois Countess Zeeland Holland Avesnes and Hainaut 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Capet Countess Valois 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
GrandMother: Philippa of Lancaster Queen Consort Portugal 
Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund "Crouchback" Plantagenet 1st Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Lancaster Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Plantagenet 3rd Earl of Leicester 3rd Earl Lancaster Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Blanche Capet Queen Navarre 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster 
Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Chaworth 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Chaworth
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Beauchamp 
Great x 1 Grandmother: Blanche Duchess of Lancaster 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Louis Brienne Viscount Beaumont 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Beaumont Earl Buchan 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Beaumont Sarthe 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Alexander Comyn 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Comyn Baroness Beaumont 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joanna Latimer
Isabella Aviz Queen Consort Portugal 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: James Urgell
Mother: Isabella Urgell