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 King Christopher I of Denmark 1219-1259

Paternal Family Tree: Estridsen

In 1205 [his father] King Valdemar II of Denmark (age 34) and Dagmar of Bohemia (age 19) were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Valdemar "Great" I King of Denmark and [his grandmother] Sophia of Minsk.

In 1214 [his father] King Valdemar II of Denmark (age 43) and [his mother] Berengaria Burgundy Queen Consort Denmark (age 16) were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Denmark. The difference in their ages was 27 years. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Sancho "Populator" I King Portugal and [his grandmother] Dulce Barcelona Queen Consort Portugal. He the son of [his grandfather] Valdemar "Great" I King of Denmark and [his grandmother] Sophia of Minsk.

In 1219 King Christopher I of Denmark was born to [his father] King Valdemar II of Denmark (age 48) and [his mother] Berengaria Burgundy Queen Consort Denmark (age 21).

On 27th March 1221 [his mother] Berengaria Burgundy Queen Consort Denmark (age 23) died.

On 17th November 1239 [his brother] King Eric IV of Denmark (age 23) and [his sister-in-law] Jutta of Saxony (age 16) were married. He the son of [his father] King Valdemar II of Denmark (age 69) and [his mother] Berengaria Burgundy Queen Consort Denmark.

In 1241 [his brother] King Eric IV of Denmark (age 25) succeeded King of Denmark.

On 28th March 1241 [his father] King Valdemar II of Denmark (age 70) died.

On 10th August 1250 [his brother] King Eric IV of Denmark (age 34) was assassinated. Many suspected the assassination was ordered by his brother [his brother] King Abel of Denmark (age 32).. His brother Abel succeeded King of Denmark.

On 29th June 1252 [his brother] King Abel of Denmark (age 34)was killed by a wheelwright named Henner on Husum Bridge near Eiderstedt. His brother Christopher (age 33) succeeded King of Denmark.

On 29th May 1259 King Christopher I of Denmark (age 40) died.