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: Cocks
On 26th April 1716 John Somers 1st Baron Somers [aged 65] died unmarried and without issue. Baron Somers extinct. His great nephew Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers became 1st Baron Somers of the second creation in 1784.
On 3rd September 1724 [his father] John Cocks of Castleditch in Eastnor in Herefordshire and [his mother] Mary Cocks were married. They were uncle and niece.
On 29th June 1725 Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers was born to [his father] John Cocks of Castleditch in Eastnor in Herefordshire and [his mother] Mary Cocks. Coefficient of inbreeding 12.50%.
On 8th August 1759 Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers [aged 34] and Elizabeth Eliot were married.
On 6th May 1760 [his son] John Cocks 1st Earl Somers was born to Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers [aged 34] and [his wife] Elizabeth Eliot.
In 1771 [his wife] Elizabeth Eliot died.
On 24th June 1771 [his father] John Cocks of Castleditch in Eastnor in Herefordshire died.
On 14th March 1773 [his daughter] Anna Maria Cocks was born to Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers [aged 47] and [his wife] Anne Pole [aged 21]. She married 4th December 1797 her second cousin Philip Yorke, son of Bishop James Yorke and Mary Maddox, and had issue.
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 2nd December 1774 [his son] Lieutenant-Colonel Philip James Cocks was born to Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers [aged 49] and [his wife] Anne Pole [aged 22].
On 4th February 1779 [his mother] Mary Cocks died.
On 17th May 1784 Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers [aged 58] was created 1st Baron Somers. His great-uncle was John Somers 1st Baron Somers.
On 4th December 1797 [his son-in-law] Philip Yorke [aged 27] and [his daughter] Anna Maria Cocks [aged 24] were married. He the son of Bishop James Yorke [aged 67] and Mary Maddox. They were second cousins.
On 30th January 1806 Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers [aged 80] died. His son John [aged 45] succeeded 2nd Baron Somers.
On 25th April 1833 [his former wife] Anne Pole [aged 81] died.
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Cocks of Castleditch Herefordshire
GrandFather: Charles Cocks
Father: John Cocks of Castleditch in Eastnor in Herefordshire
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Somers
GrandMother: Mary Somers
Charles Cocks 1st Baron Somers
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cocks of Castleditch Herefordshire
Great x 1 Grandfather: Charles Cocks
GrandFather: Reverend Thomas Cocks of Castleditch in Eastnor in Herefordshire
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Somers
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Somers
Mother: Mary Cocks
