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: Gell
On 14th April 1558 [his father] Thomas Gell (age 26) and [his mother] Millicent Sacheverell were married in Kirk Ireton, Derbyshire [Map].
Around 1571 [his step-father] John Curzon (age 20) and [his mother] Millicent Sacheverell were married.
On 22nd June 1593 John Gell 1st Baronet was born to [his father] Thomas Gell (age 61) and [his mother] Millicent Sacheverell in Hopton Hall, Derbyshire [Map].
On 2nd July 1593 John Gell 1st Baronet was baptised at St Margaret's Church, Carsington [Map].
On 11th November 1594 [his father] Thomas Gell (age 62) died.
In January 1609 John Gell 1st Baronet (age 15) and Elizabeth Willoughby Lady Gell were married at St Leonard's Church, Wollaton [Map].
Before 1613 [his daughter] Bridget Gell was born to John Gell 1st Baronet (age 19) and [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Lady Gell.
Before 1613 [his daughter] Millicent Gell was born to John Gell 1st Baronet (age 19) and [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Lady Gell.
In 1613 [his son] John Gell 2nd Baronet was born to John Gell 1st Baronet (age 19) and [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Lady Gell. He married before 8th February 1688 Katherine Packer of Shelingford and had issue.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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On 20th June 1622 John Stanhope (age 32) and [his future wife] Mary Radclyffe Lady Gell (age 17) were married in Castle Donington, Leicestershire.
In 1642 John Gell 1st Baronet (age 48) was created 1st Baronet Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire. [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Lady Gell by marriage Lady Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire.
In 1644 [his wife] Elizabeth Willoughby Lady Gell died.
In December 1647 John Gell 1st Baronet (age 54) and Mary Radclyffe Lady Gell (age 42) were married. She by marriage Lady Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire.
Around April 1653 [his wife] Mary Radclyffe Lady Gell (age 48) died.
On 26th January 1671 John Gell 1st Baronet (age 77) died. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Wirksworth [Map]. His son John (age 58) succeeded 2nd Baronet Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire.
John Gell 2nd Baronet: In 1613 he was born to John Gell 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Willoughby Lady Gell. Before 8th February 1688 John Gell 2nd Baronet and Katherine Packer of Shelingford were married. On 8th February 1688 John Gell 2nd Baronet died. His son Philip succeeded 3rd Baronet Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire. Elizabeth Fagge Lady Gell by marriage Lady Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire.
[his daughter] Eleanor Gell was born to John Gell 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Willoughby Lady Gell.
[his son] William Gell was born to John Gell 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Willoughby Lady Gell.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Gell was born to John Gell 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Willoughby Lady Gell.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 13 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 24 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 18 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
GrandFather: Ralph Gell
Father: Thomas Gell
Great x 1 Grandfather: Nicholas Ashby of Willoughby on the Wolds in Nottinghamshire
GrandMother: Godeth Ashby
John Gell 1st Baronet 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Sacheverell
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Sacheverell
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Statham
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Sacheverell
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Sacheverell 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Nicholas Montgomery 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Nicholas Montgomery 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Montgomery 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Delves 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Delves 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ellen Egerton 
GrandFather: Ralph Sacheverell 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Clement Lowe
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Lowe
Mother: Millicent Sacheverell 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Dethick
GrandMother: Emma Dethick