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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Biography of Eric II King Norway 1268-1299

Paternal Family Tree: Sverre

On 11th September 1261 [his father] King Magnus VI of Norway [aged 23] and [his mother] Queen Ingeborg of Norway [aged 17] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] King Eric IV of Denmark and [his grandmother] Jutta of Saxony [aged 38]. He the son of King Haakon IV of Norway [aged 57].

In 1268 Eric II King Norway was born to [his father] King Magnus VI of Norway [aged 29] and [his mother] Queen Ingeborg of Norway [aged 24].

On 9th May 1280 [his father] King Magnus VI of Norway [aged 42] died. His son Eric [aged 12] succeeded King Norway.

On 31st August 1281 Eric II King Norway [aged 13] and Margaret Dunkeld Queen Consort Norway [aged 20] were married at Bergen. She the daughter of King Alexander III of Scotland [aged 39] and Margaret Queen of Scotland. He the son of King Magnus VI of Norway and Queen Ingeborg of Norway [aged 37]. They were half fourth cousin once removed. She a granddaughter of King Henry III of England.

On 14th November 1282 [his brother-in-law] Alexander Dunkeld Prince Scotland [aged 18] and Margaret Dampierre Countess Guelders [aged 10] were married. She the daughter of Guy Dampierre Count Flanders [aged 56] and Isabelle Luxemburg Countess Flanders [aged 35]. He the son of [his father-in-law] King Alexander III of Scotland [aged 41] and Margaret Queen of Scotland. They were half third cousin once removed. He a grandson of King Henry III of England. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King William "Conqueror" I of England.

On 9th April 1283 [his daughter] Margaret "Maid of Norway" I Queen Scotland was born to Eric II King Norway [aged 15] and [his wife] Margaret Dunkeld Queen Consort Norway [aged 22] at Tønsberg. Her mother died in childbirth and was buried at Tønsberg. She a great granddaughter of King Henry III of England.

On 24th March 1287 or 26th March 1287 [his mother] Queen Ingeborg of Norway [aged 43] died.

On 26th September 1290 [his daughter] Margaret "Maid of Norway" I Queen Scotland [aged 7] died at St Margaret's Hope.

In 1293 Eric II King Norway [aged 25] and Isabel Bruce Queen Norway [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Queen Norway. She the daughter of Robert Bruce Earl Carrick [aged 49] and Marjorie Carrick 3rd Countess Carrick. He the son of King Magnus VI of Norway and Queen Ingeborg of Norway.

In 1295 [his brother] King Haakon V [aged 24] and [his sister-in-law] Isabel Joigny were married. He the son of [his father] King Magnus VI of Norway and [his mother] Queen Ingeborg of Norway.

In 1296 [his brother-in-law] King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland [aged 21] and Isabella Mar [aged 43] were married. The difference in their ages was 21 years; she, unusually, being older than him. She the daughter of Donald Mar 7th Earl of Mar and Elen ferch Llewellyn Aberffraw Countess Huntingdon and Mar. He the son of [his father-in-law] Robert Bruce Earl Carrick [aged 52] and Marjorie Carrick 3rd Countess Carrick. They were fifth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England. She a great granddaughter of King John of England.

In 1297 [his daughter] Ingeborg Eriksdottir was born to Eric II King Norway [aged 29] and [his wife] Isabel Bruce Queen Norway [aged 25].

In 1299 [his brother] King Haakon V [aged 28] and [his sister-in-law] Euphemia of Rügen Queen Norway [aged 19] were married. He the son of [his father] King Magnus VI of Norway and [his mother] Queen Ingeborg of Norway.

On 15th July 1299 Eric II King Norway [aged 31] died. His brother Haakon [aged 29] succeeded V King Norway. Euphemia of Rügen Queen Norway [aged 19] by marriage Queen Norway.

In 1358 [his former wife] Isabel Bruce Queen Norway [aged 86] died.