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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Baker
Prenuptial Settlement of Sir Frederick Francis Baker, bt., and Miss Harriet Simeon, between (1) John Simeon of Queen Ann St., esq., Master in Chancery, and dau. Harriet by wife Rebecca, (2) sd. Sir Frederick, of Jermyn St., (3) Richard Simson of St.John's in Isle of Wight, esq., and Chas. Ogilby of Salvadore House in City of London, James Cocks of Chesterfield St., and Chas. Morris of Wandsworth co. Surr., whereby Harriet's fortune of £6,000 under will of uncle Edward Simeon, merchant, and £4,000 advanced by her father, with further £20,000 advanced by Sir Frederick, is conveyed to trustees in trust to raise £200 p.a. for Harriet and remaining income to Sir Frederick, and after their deaths to use of children of marriage other than eldest son as they shall direct. Wit: Thomas Ireland, William Whitton. Endorsed with deed of appointment, 9 Feb. 1847, reciting events following the above deed, of Sir George Baker, Edward Simeon and John Simeon as trustees. Date: 1814, 5 Jul
On 28th June 1768 [his father] George Baker 1st Baronet (age 46) and [his mother] Jane Morris were married at St James' Church, Piccadilly.
On 13th May 1772 Frederick Baker 2nd Baronet was born to [his father] George Baker 1st Baronet (age 50) and [his mother] Jane Morris at Jermyn Street. He was baptised on 17th June 1772 at St James' Church, Piccadilly.
In 1791 Frederick Baker 2nd Baronet (age 18) matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford University. He was awarded BA in 1792, MA in 1796.
On 15th June 1809 [his father] George Baker 1st Baronet (age 87) died. He was buried at St James' Church, Piccadilly. His son Frederick (age 37) succeeded 2nd Baronet Baker of Loventor in Totnes in Devon.
In 1811 Frederick Baker 2nd Baronet (age 38) was elected Fellow of the Royal Society and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London.
In July 1814 Frederick Baker 2nd Baronet (age 42) and Harriet Simeon Lady Baker were married. She by marriage Lady Baker of Loventor in Totnes in Devon.
On 16th June 1816 [his son] George Baker 3rd Baronet was born to Frederick Baker 2nd Baronet (age 44) and [his wife] Harriet Simeon Lady Baker. He married (1) 2nd June 1840 Mary Isabella Sutton Lady Baker and had issue (2) 16th November 1858 Augusta Catherine Fitzwygram.
In 1818 Frederick Baker 2nd Baronet (age 45) published a collected edition of his father's Medical Tracts, read at the College of Physicians, 1767-85.
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.'
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 3rd June 1819 [his daughter] Jane Maria Baker Lady Simeon was born to Frederick Baker 2nd Baronet (age 47) and [his wife] Harriet Simeon Lady Baker. She married 26th November 1840 her first cousin John Simeon 3rd Baronet, son of Richard Godin Simeon 2nd Baronet and Louisa Edith Barrington, and had issue.
On 29th January 1822 [his son] Frederick James Baker was born to Frederick Baker 2nd Baronet (age 49) and [his wife] Harriet Simeon Lady Baker.
On 8th January 1826 [his son] Henry Cooper Baker was born to Frederick Baker 2nd Baronet (age 53) and [his wife] Harriet Simeon Lady Baker.
On 1st October 1830 Frederick Baker 2nd Baronet (age 58) died in a windmill accident. His son George (age 14) succeeded 3rd Baronet Baker of Loventor in Totnes in Devon.
Gentleman's Magazine. 1731. Page 469. Sir Frederick was showing his children the effect and operations of a windmill near Hastings, when, being very short sighted, he approached nearer than he had an idea of, and one of the flappers instantaneously striking him on the back part of the head, he shortly breathed his last.
On 15th November 1845 [his former wife] Harriet Simeon Lady Baker died.
13th March 1846. WILL and ADMON. of Sir Frederick Francis Baker of Jermyn St., par. St.James, Westminster, co. Middx. £10,000 to be given on Trust to James Morris of Wandsworth, co. Surr., Esq., and Hugh Hammersley of Pall Mall, co. Middx., Esq., Trustees, to be invested in stock, the annual proceeds of which to go to his wife, [his former wife] Harriet Baker. To his dau. [his daughter] Jane Maria (age 26) and sons [his son] Frederick Francis (age 24) and [his son] Henry Cooper (age 20), £10,000 each on their marriage or coming of age, which ever should occur first. All his property and real estate with his library and pictures to be held in trust for his son George on his coming of age. Small monetary legacies to his sister Maria, to his brother in law, to friends and servants. Personal effects to be divided among his children. Executrix and Excutors: wife Harriet Baker, James Morris and Hugh Hammersley. Wit: Thomas Ireland, C. Broughton Bowman, Janns J. Brettell. Date: 1826, 29 Dec
Great x 3 Grandfather: Unknown Baker
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Baker of Alvington, Devon
Great x 1 Grandfather: Aaron Baker
GrandFather: George Baker
Great x 2 Grandfather: Reverend Joseph Tompson of Exminster, Devon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Martha Tompson
Father: George Baker 1st Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Bishop Stephen Weston 
GrandMother: Mary Weston
GrandFather: Roger Morris
Mother: Jane Morris
GrandMother: Elizabeth Jackson