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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On 8th September 1626 Bishop Simon Patrick was born in Gainsborough [Map].
In 1675 Bishop Simon Patrick [aged 48] and Penelope Jephson were married.
In 1679 Bishop Simon Patrick [aged 52] was appointed Dean of Peterborough.
John Evelyn's Diary. 13th December 1685. Dr Patrick, Dean of Peterborough [aged 59], preach'd at Whitehall [Map] before ye Princesse of Denmark [aged 20]; who since his Ma* [aged 52] came to the Crown, allways sate in the King's closet, and had the same bowings and ceremonies applied to the place where she was, as his Ma* had when there in person.
John Evelyn's Diary. 17th October 1686. Dr. Patrick, Dean of Peterborough [aged 60], preached at Covent Garden Church on Ephes. v. 18, 19, showing the custom of the primitive saints in serving God with hymns, and their frequent use of them upon all occasions: touching the profane way of mirth and intemperance of this ungodly age. Afterward I visited my Lord Chief Justice of Ireland [aged 53], with whom I had long and private discourse concerning the miserable condition that kingdom was like to be in, if Tyrconnel's [aged 56] counsel should prevail at Court.
In 1689 Bishop Simon Patrick [aged 62] was appointed Bishop of Chichester.
In 1691 Bishop Simon Patrick [aged 64] was translated to Bishop of Ely.
John Evelyn's Diary. 19th April 1691. The Archbishop of Canterbury [aged 74], and Bishops of Ely [aged 53], Bath and Wells [aged 53], Peterborough [aged 63], Gloucester [aged 69], and the rest who would not take the oaths to King William [aged 40], were now displaced; and in their rooms, Dr. Tillotson [aged 60], Dean of St. Paul's, was made Archbishop: Patrick [aged 64] removed from Chichester to Ely; Cumberland [aged 59] to Gloucester. Note. A mistake. Bishop Edward Fowler was made Bishop of Gloucester. Bishop Richard Cumberland [aged 59] was made Bishop of Peterborough.
On 31st May 1707 Bishop Simon Patrick [aged 80] died. He was buried in Ely Cathedral [Map].