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: Lee
In 1623 Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge was born to [her father] Henry Lee 1st Baronet (age 52).
In 1623 Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge was baptised at All Saints Church, Spelsbury [Map].
Before 1632 [her father] Henry Lee 1st Baronet (age 60) died. His son [her brother] Francis (age 15) succeeded 2nd Baronet Lee of Quarrendon in Buckinghamshire.
On 1st January 1648 Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 19) and Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 25) were married.
In July 1660 King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 30) rewarded those who supported his Restoration...
2nd. [her husband] Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 32) was created 1st Baronet Berkeley of Bruton in Somerset. Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 37) by marriage Lady Berkeley of Bruton in Somerset.
4th. Thomas Myddelton 1st Baronet (age 35) was created 1st Baronet Myddelton of Chirk Castle.
6th. Varney Noel 1st Baronet was created 1st Baronet Noel.
7th. George Monck 1st Duke Albemarle (age 51) was created 1st Duke Albemarle, 1st Earl Torrington in Devon. Anne Clarges Duchess Albermarle (age 41) by marriage Duchess Albemarle.
12th. Robert Hales 1st Baronet (age 50) was created 1st Baronet Hales of Beakesbourne in Kent.
12th. Edward Montagu 1st Earl Sandwich (age 34) was created 1st Earl Sandwich. Jemima Crew Countess Sandwich (age 35) by marriage Countess Sandwich.
14th. Elizabeth Feilding Countess Guildford was created 1st Countess Guildford by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. The peerage for life.
18th. Samuel Morland 1st Baronet (age 35) was created 1st Baronet Morland of Sulhamstead Banister. Susanne de Milleville Lady Morland by marriage Lady Morland of Sulhamstead Banister.
23rd. Henry Vernon 1st Baronet (age 55) was created 1st Baronet Vernon of Hodnet in Shropshire.
23rd. John Aubrey 1st Baronet (age 54) was created 1st Baronet Aubrey of Llantrithyd in Glamorganshire.
On 1st July 1663 [her brother-in-law] Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 33) was created 1st Viscount Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry, 1st Baron Berkeley of Rathdowne in Wicklow with a remainder to his father who subsequently succeeded.
In 1664 [her brother-in-law] Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 33) and Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 19) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry.
On 17th March 1664 [her brother-in-law] Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 34) was created 1st Earl Falmouth, 1st Baron Botetourt Langport in Somerset. Mary Bagot Countess Falmouth and Dorset (age 19) by marriage Countess Falmouth.
After 17th March 1664 [her brother-in-law] Charles Berkeley 1st Earl Falmouth (age 34) was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Portsmouth.
On 12th June 1668 [her father-in-law] Charles Berkeley 2nd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 68) died. He was buried at Church of St Mary, Bruton [Map]. His son [her husband] Maurice (age 39) succeeded 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry. Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 45) by marriage Viscountess Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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On 13th June 1690 [her husband] Maurice Berkeley 3rd Viscount Fitzhardinge (age 61) died. His brother [her brother-in-law] John (age 40) succeeded 4th Viscount Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry, 2nd Baronet Berkeley of Bruton in Somerset. Barbara Villiers Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 36) by marriage Viscountess Fitzhardinge of Berehaven in Kerry.
Before 23rd November 1704 Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 81) died.
On 23rd November 1704 Anne Lee Viscountess Fitzhardinge (age 81) was buried in Church of St Mary, Bruton [Map].
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Lee
Great x 1 Grandfather: Benedict Lee
GrandFather: Robert Lee
Father: Henry Lee 1st Baronet