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: Willoughby
In 1667 [her father] Francis Willoughby [aged 31] and [her mother] Emma Barnard [aged 21] were married.
On 23rd April 1670 Cassandra Willoughby Duchess Chandos was born to [her father] Francis Willoughby [aged 34] and [her mother] Emma Barnard [aged 24].
On 3rd July 1672 [her father] Francis Willoughby [aged 36] died.
On 8th August 1676 [her step-father] Josiah Child [aged 45] and [her mother] Emma Barnard [aged 30] were married.
In 1688 Francis Willoughby 1st Baronet [aged 20] died unmarried. His brother Thomas [aged 15] succeeded 2nd Baronet Willoughby of Wollaton.
On 9th April 1691 [her brother] Thomas Willoughby 1st Baron Middleton [aged 19] and [her sister-in-law] Elizabeth Rothwell Baroness Willoughby and Middleton were married. She by marriage Baroness Willoughby Broke.
On 2nd February 1695 [her future husband] James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos [aged 22] and Mary Lake [aged 26] were married.
In 1703 [her half-brother] Richard Child aka Tylney 1st Earl Tylney [aged 22] and [her sister-in-law] Dorothy Glynne Countess Castlemaine were married.
On 4th August 1713 James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos [aged 40] and Cassandra Willoughby Duchess Chandos [aged 43] were married. They were half first cousins.
On 16th October 1714 [her father-in-law] James Brydges 8th Baron Chandos [aged 72] died at Aconbury, Herefordshire. His son [her husband] James [aged 41] succeeded 9th Baron Chandos of Sudeley, 4th Baronet Brydges of Wilton in Herefordshire. Cassandra Willoughby Duchess Chandos [aged 44] by marriage Baroness Chandos of Sudeley.
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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On 19th October 1714 [her husband] James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos [aged 41] was created 1st Earl Carnarvon, 1st Viscount Wilton. Cassandra Willoughby Duchess Chandos [aged 44] by marriage Countess Carnarvon.
In 1719 [her husband] James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos [aged 45] was created 1st Duke Chandos, 1st Marquess Carnarvon. Cassandra Willoughby Duchess Chandos [aged 48] by marriage Duchess Chandos.
On 1st September 1724 [her step-son] John Brydges [aged 21] and Catherine Tollemache were married. She the daughter of Lionel Tollemache 3rd Earl Dysart [aged 75] and Grace Wilbraham Countess Dysart [aged 63]. He the son of [her husband] James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos [aged 51] and Mary Lake.
On 16th October 1725 [her mother] Emma Barnard [aged 79] died.
On 8th April 1727 [her step-son] John Brydges [aged 24] died.
On 21st December 1728 [her step-son] Henry Brydges 2nd Duke Chandos [aged 20] and Mary Bruce [aged 18] were married. She the daughter of Charles Bruce 4th Earl Elgin 3rd Earl Ailesbury [aged 46] and Anne Savile. He the son of [her husband] James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos [aged 55] and Mary Lake. They were fifth cousins.
In 1729 [her brother] Thomas Willoughby 1st Baron Middleton [aged 56] died. His son [her nephew] Francis [aged 36] succeeded 2nd Baron Middleton, 3rd Baronet Willoughby of Wollaton. Mary Edwards Baroness Middleton by marriage Baroness Middleton.
On 11th June 1731 [her half-brother] Richard Child aka Tylney 1st Earl Tylney [aged 51] was created 1st Earl Tylney of Castlemaine in County Kerry, 1st Viscount Castlemaine in County Kerry, 1st Baron Newtown in County Donegal. [her sister-in-law] Dorothy Glynne Countess Castlemaine by marriage Countess Tylney of Castlemaine in County Kerry.
On 16th July 1735 Cassandra Willoughby Duchess Chandos [aged 65] died. She was buried at Chandos Mausoleum Church of St Lawrence Whitchurch Lane Little Stanmore.
On 18th April 1736 [her former husband] James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos [aged 63] and Lydia Catherine Van Hatten Duchess Chandos were married. She by marriage Duchess Chandos.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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On 9th August 1744 [her former husband] James Brydges 1st Duke Chandos [aged 71] died at Cannons House Little Stanmore. He was buried at Chandos Mausoleum Church of St Lawrence Whitchurch Lane Little Stanmore. His son [her former step-son] Henry [aged 36] succeeded 2nd Duke Chandos, 2nd Marquess Carnarvon, 2nd Earl Carnarvon, 2nd Viscount Wilton, 10th Baron Chandos of Sudeley, 5th Baronet Brydges of Wilton in Herefordshire.
Kings Wessex: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 26 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Willoughby 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Willoughby 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Willoughby 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Perceval Willoughby 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Harte
Great x 3 Grandfather: Percival Hart
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Peche
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Hart 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Braye 1st Baron Braye 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Fridewide Braye 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Halwell Baroness Bray 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandFather: Francis Willoughby 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Willoughby 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Willoughby 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Filiol
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Willoughby 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 2nd Marquess Dorset 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Grey 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Wotton Marchioness Dorset 
Great x 1 Grandmother: Bridget Willoughby 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Lyttelton
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Lyttelton of Frankley 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Talbot 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Lyttelton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Pakington of Hampton Lovett 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Bridget Packington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Dacres
Father: Francis Willoughby 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandMother: Cassandra Ridgway
Cassandra Willoughby Duchess Chandos 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Henry Barnard
Mother: Emma Barnard