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: Calvert
In 1580 George Calvert 1st Baron Baltimore was born.
In November 1604 George Calvert 1st Baron Baltimore [aged 24] and Anne Mynne were married.
On 8th August 1605 [his son] Cecil Calvert 2nd Baron Baltimore was born to George Calvert 1st Baron Baltimore [aged 25] and [his wife] Anne Mynne. He married 1628 Ann Arundell Baroness Baltimore, daughter of Thomas Arundell 1st Baron Arundel and Anne Philipson Baroness Arundel Wardour, and had issue.
Letters of the Court of James I 1618. [20th August 1618]. Sir George Calvert [aged 38] is lately gone to the court from the council here, at whose return we shall see what will become of him. His lady [[his wife] Anne Mynne] should have been committed to Sir Thomas Lowe's; but he excusing himself upon his many children, which, though they be married, live with him altogether in one family, she was permitted to keep her own house, with a strict guard set upon her and her little son, which some interpret to be lest she should convey away the wealth and jewels, which are thought to be more than perhaps will be found upon the upshot. Once I have no opinion of any great matter.
Diary of Anne Clifford. 15th February 1619. The 15th Sir Thomas Lake [aged 51], his Lady [aged 44], and Lady Ross [aged 19], were sent to the Tower [Map]. There was nothing heard all this term but the matter between the Countess of Exeter [aged 39] and them, at which the King sat [five] several days. It was censured on my Lady Exeter's side against them, who were fined great fines both to the King and her, there was spoken extraordinary foul matters of my Lady Ross and reports went that amongst others she lay with her own brother, so as their foul matters did double the miseries of my Lady Lettice [aged 30] Lake in her unfortunate marriage. Sarah Swarton was fined and censured to be whipt, which censure was not executed, the reason she confessed all that she knew.
In Sir Thomas Lake's place Sir George Calvert [aged 39] was sworn secretary.
On 8th August 1622 [his wife] Anne Mynne died. She was buried at St Martin in the Fields Church [Map].
In 1625 George Calvert 1st Baron Baltimore [aged 45] was created 1st Baron Baltimore of Longford in Leinster.
Around 1628 [his son] Cecil Calvert 2nd Baron Baltimore [aged 22] and [his daughter-in-law] Ann Arundell Baroness Baltimore [aged 12] were married.
On 15th April 1632 George Calvert 1st Baron Baltimore [aged 52] died. His son Cecil [aged 26] succeeded 2nd Baron Baltimore of Longford in Leinster. Ann Arundell Baroness Baltimore [aged 16] by marriage Baroness Baltimore of Longford in Leinster.
[his daughter] Grace Calvert was born to George Calvert 1st Baron Baltimore and Anne Mynne. She married before 21st October 1670 Robert Talbot 2nd Baronet and had issue.