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 Sancho "Strong" VII King Navarre 1154-1234

Paternal Family Tree: Jimenez

Maternal Family Tree: Etienette Countess Provence and Arles

1191 Marriage of King Richard I and Berengaria of Navarre

1230 Death of Berengaria of Navarre

On 20th July 1153 [his father] Sancho "Wise" King Navarre [aged 21] and [his mother] Sancha Ivrea [aged 14] were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Alfonso VII King Castile VII King Leon [aged 48] and [his grandmother] Berenguela Barcelona Queen Consort Castile and Leon. He the son of García "Restorer" IV King Navarre and Marguerite Aigle Queen Consort Navarre. They were fourth cousins.

On 17th April 1154 Sancho "Strong" VII King Navarre was born to [his father] Sancho "Wise" King Navarre [aged 21] and [his mother] Sancha Ivrea [aged 15].

In 1179 [his mother] Sancha Ivrea [aged 40] died.

Marriage of King Richard I and Berengaria of Navarre

On 12th May 1191 [his brother-in-law] King Richard "Lionheart" I of England [aged 33] and Berengaria of Navarre Queen Consort England [aged 26] were married at Chapel of St George at Limassol Castle [Map]. She was crowned Queen Consort England the same day by the Hélie de Malemort, archbishop of Bordeaux, Jean aka John Fitz Luke, bishop of Évreux and Bernard II de Lacarre, Bishop of Bayonne. She the daughter of Sancho "Wise" King Navarre [aged 59] and Sancha Ivrea. He the son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England [aged 69]. They were half fourth cousins.

Richard's mother and sister Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England and Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily [aged 25] were present.

On 27th June 1194 [his father] Sancho "Wise" King Navarre [aged 62] died at Pamplona [Map]. His son Sancho [aged 40] succeeded VII King Navarre.

In 1195 Sancho "Strong" VII King Navarre [aged 40] and Constance Rouerge Queen Consort Navarre [aged 15] were married. She by marriage Queen Consort Navarre. The difference in their ages was 25 years. She the daughter of Raymond Count of Toulouse [aged 38] and Beatrice Beziers. He the son of Sancho "Wise" King Navarre and Sancha Ivrea. They were half third cousin once removed.

In March 1211 [his brother-in-law] Raymond Rouerge VII Count Toulouse [aged 13] and Sancha Barcelona Countess Toulouse were married. She the daughter of Alfonso II King Aragon and [his aunt] Sancha Ivrea Queen Consort Aragon. He the son of [his father-in-law] Raymond Count of Toulouse [aged 54] and Joan Plantagenet Queen Consort Sicily. They were third cousins. He a grandson of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England.

On 2nd August 1222 [his father-in-law] Raymond Count of Toulouse [aged 65] died. His son [his brother-in-law] Raymond [aged 25] succeeded VII Count Toulouse. Sancha Barcelona Countess Toulouse by marriage Countess Toulouse.

Death of Berengaria of Navarre

On 23rd December 1230 [his sister] Berengaria of Navarre Queen Consort England [aged 65] died. She the widow of [his former brother-in-law] King Richard "Lionheart" I of England who she had married in 1191 in Cyprus whilst he was on Crusade. She had been brought to Cyprus by his mother Eleanor of Aquitaine Queen Consort Franks and England who was near seventy at the time. Their marriage started with his taking Jerusalem then being captured and held hostage for three years. There were no children of the marriage. She is believed to have never set foot in England. She didn't marry again.

On 7th April 1234 Sancho "Strong" VII King Navarre [aged 79] died. His nephew Theobald [aged 32] succeeded IV King Navarre. Margaret Bourbon Queen Consort Navarre [aged 17] by marriage Queen Consort Navarre.

After 12th May 1260 [his former wife] Constance Rouerge Queen Consort Navarre [deceased] died.

Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough

A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'

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Chronicle of Roger de Hoveden. The knights of Navarre and the Brabançon mercenaries laid siege to the castle of Loches. Their leader and guide was Alfonso¹, son of King Sancho VI of Navarre, and brother of Queen Berengaria of England. However, he did not complete the march to Loches, because before arriving there, he received news that his father, the King of Navarre, had died². Because of this, he returned to his homeland, where he was proclaimed king by the people of Navarre.

Milites vero Navarræ, et Braibanceni, obsederunt castrum de Luches. Quorum dux et prævius extiterat Anfuns, filius Sanctii regis Navarræ, frater Berengeræ reginze Anglize: sed ipse non perduxit eos usque Luches, quia antequam illuc veniret, nunciatum est ei quod pater suus rex Navarræ obiret; et hac de causa reversus est in regionem suam, et receptus est in regem ab hominibus regni.

Note 1. Anfuns. Although here called Alfonso, the new king of Navarre really was Sancho VII,

Note 2. Sancho "Wise" King Navarre died on the 27 Jun 1194.