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: Montagu
Maternal Family Tree: Audrey Saunders 1551-1588
On 23rd December 1662 Josceline Percy 11th Earl of Northumberland (age 18) and [his mother] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 16) were married. She by marriage Countess of Northumberland. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester (age 55) and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Leigh Countess Southampton. He the son of Algernon Percy 10th Earl of Northumberland (age 60) and Elizabeth Howard Countess Northumberland (age 39). They were third cousins.
In 1673 [his father] Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 34) and [his mother] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 27) were married. She the wealthy daughter of [his grandfather] Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester who had died six years previously. She the daughter of Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester and [his grandmother] Elizabeth Leigh Countess Southampton. They were third cousin once removed.
In 1690 John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu was born to [his father] Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 51) and [his mother] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 44).
In 1690 [his mother] Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland (age 44) died.
On 8th September 1692 [his father] Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 53) and [his step-mother] Elizabeth "Mad Duchess" Cavendish Duchess Albermarle Duchess of Montagu (age 38) were married at Newcastle House. She the daughter of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne who had died the year before and the widow of Christopher Monck 2nd Duke Albemarle. She the daughter of Henry Cavendish 2nd Duke Newcastle upon Tyne and Frances Pierrepont Duchess Newcastle upon Tyne (age 62).
In 1705 John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 15) and Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 15) were married. She the daughter of John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough (age 54) and Sarah Jennings Duchess of Marlborough (age 44). He the son of Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 66) and Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland. They were third cousins.
In 1705 [his father] Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 66) was created 1st Duke Montagu. [his step-mother] Elizabeth "Mad Duchess" Cavendish Duchess Albermarle Duchess of Montagu (age 50) by marriage Duchess Montagu.
Around 1706 [his daughter] Isabella Montagu Duchess Manchester was born to John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 16) and [his wife] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 16). She married (1) before 21st October 1739 her fourth cousin William Montagu 2nd Duke Manchester, son of Charles Montagu 1st Duke Manchester and Doddington Greville Duchess Manchester (2) 1743 Edward Hussey-Montagu 1st Earl Beaulieu.
In 1706 [his son] John Montagu was born to John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 16) and [his wife] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 16). He died aged five in 1711.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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On 9th March 1709 [his father] Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 70) died. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. His son John (age 19) succeeded 2nd Duke Montagu, 4th Baron Montagu of Boughton in Northamptonshire. [his wife] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 19) by marriage Duchess Montagu.
Around 1711 [his daughter] Mary Montagu Duchess of Montagu was born to John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 21) and [his wife] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 21). She married 7th July 1730 her fourth cousin once removed George Brudenell aka Montagu 1st Duke Montagu, son of George Brudenell 3rd Earl Cardigan and Elizabeth Bruce 3rd Countess Cardigan, and had issue.
In 1711 [his son] John Montagu (age 5) died.
On 15th September 1712 Sidney Godolphin 1st Earl Godolphin (age 67) died. His son Francis (age 34) succeeded 2nd Earl Godolphin, 2nd Viscount Rialton, 2nd Baron Godolphin of Rialton in Cornwall. [his sister-in-law] Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough (age 31) by marriage Countess Godolphin.
On 22nd March 1714 [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Churchill Countess Bridgewater (age 27) died. She was buried at St Peter and St Paul Church, Little Gaddesden on 29th March 1714.
On 15th April 1716 [his sister-in-law] Anne Churchill Countess Sunderland (age 33) died.
In 1719 John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 29) was appointed 532nd Knight of the Garter by King George I (age 58).
On 16th June 1722 [his father-in-law] John Churchill 1st Duke of Marlborough (age 72) died at Cranbourne Lodge, Windsor. His daughter [his sister-in-law] Henrietta (age 40) succeeded 2nd Duchess Marlborough, 2nd Marchioness of Blandford, 2nd Countess of Marlborough, 2nd Baroness Churchill of Sandridge in Hertfordshire. Francis Godolphin 2nd Earl Godolphin (age 43) by marriage Duke Marlborough.
On 24th November 1722 [his half-sister] Elizabeth Percy Duchess Somerset (age 55) died.
Before 1723 Godfrey Kneller (age 76). Portrait of John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 32).
On 27th December 1725 [his son] Edward Montagu was born to John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 35) and [his wife] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 36). He died aged one in 1727.
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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Vesta Monumenta. 1727. The ruins of Furness Abbey [Map] in Lancashire. Engraving by George Vertue (age 43) after an untraced drawing originally commissioned by John Montagu, 2nd Duke of Montague (age 37).
In May 1727 [his son] Edward Montagu (age 1) died.
On 7th July 1730 [his son-in-law] George Brudenell aka Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 17) and Mary Montagu Duchess of Montagu (age 19) were married. She the daughter of John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 40) and Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 40). He the son of George Brudenell 3rd Earl Cardigan (age 44) and Elizabeth Bruce 3rd Countess Cardigan (age 41). They were fourth cousin once removed.
On 24th October 1733 [his sister-in-law] Henrietta Churchill 2nd Duchess of Marlborough (age 52) died. Her nephew Charles (age 26) succeeded 3rd Duke Marlborough, 3rd Marquess of Blandford, 3rd Earl of Marlborough, 3rd Baron Churchill of Sandridge in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth Trevor Duchess of Marlborough (age 20) by marriage Duchess Marlborough.
Around 1735 Gavin Hamilton (age 12). Portrait of John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 45) and [his wife] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 45), and [his daughter] Mary Montagu Duchess of Montagu (age 24).
Before 21st October 1739 [his son-in-law] William Montagu 2nd Duke Manchester (age 39) and Isabella Montagu Duchess Manchester (age 33) were married. She by marriage Duchess Manchester. She the daughter of John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 49) and Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 50). He the son of Charles Montagu 1st Duke Manchester and Doddington Greville Duchess Manchester. They were fourth cousins.
Around 1740 George Knapton (age 42). Portrait of John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 50).
In 1743 [his son-in-law] Edward Hussey-Montagu 1st Earl Beaulieu (age 22) and Isabella Montagu Duchess Manchester (age 37) were married. She the daughter of John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 53) and Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 53).
On 6th July 1749 John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu (age 59) died without surviving male issue. Duke Montagu extinct. His estates were inherited by his daughter Mary (age 38) and her husband George Brudenell aka Montagu 1st Duke Montagu (age 36) who changed his name to Montagu from Brudenell. Monument in St Edmund's Church, Warkton [Map]. Sculpted by Louis Francois Roubiliac (age 46). Erected by his widow, Mary Churchill (age 59), the daughter of the 1st Duke of Marlborough, who stands at the left hand side of the monument.
On 14th May 1751 [his former wife] Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu (age 61) died. Monument in St Edmund's Church, Warkton [Map]. Sculpted by Louis Francois Roubiliac (age 48). Erected by her Daughter, Lady Mary Montagu. The monument is adorned with figures representing the three fates of Clotho, Atropos and Lachesis, arranged to show the cutting of Mary's life thread, and Lachesis' dismay at it being cut short. Three putti also figure on the monument, one of whom holds the spindle from which the thread was cut.
Clotho: Clotho is one of the Three Fates. She spins the thread of human life.
Atropos: Atropos is one of the Three Fates. She cuts the thread of human life.
Lachesis: Lachesis is one of the Three Fates. She measures the thread of human life.
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.
Adeline Horsey Recollections. The wicked Countess and her lover lived at Cliveden [Map] - "the bower of wanton Shrewsbury and of love" - and her spirit is supposed to haunt the beautiful riverside retreat, but I am thankful to say she has never appeared in the old home of her innocent girlhood. Her portrait by Sir Peter Lely hangs in the White Hall at Deene, and is a fine example of the artist's well-known very décolleté style of "robes loosely flowing, hair as free", with the usual mise en scène of a beauty of Charles II's time. The third Earl of Cardigan was Master of the Buckhounds to Queen Anne; he married a daughter of the Earl of Ailesbury, and their fourth son inherited the Ailesbury title and estates. Lord Cardigan's [his former son-in-law] eldest son married the heiress of the Duke of Montagu in 17661. He was a friend of Horace Walpole, the influence of whose pseudo-Gothic tastes may still be seen in the south front of Deene [Map], built at this time, and which now incorporates the great ball-room built for me by my dear husband.
Note 1. Married on 7th July 1730. He was created Duke in 1766.
[his son] George Montagu was born to John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu and Mary Churchill Duchess of Montagu.
Kings Wessex: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 26 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 24 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Montagu 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Dudley 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Roper of Well Hall 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Helen Roper
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Montagu 1st Baron Montagu 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Alexander Harrington 
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Harrington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Moton
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Sidney 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Lucy Sidney
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Pakenham
GrandFather: Edward Montagu 2nd Baron Montagu 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cotton
Great x 1 Grandmother: Frances Cotton 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Shirley 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Francis Shirley 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Shirley 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Giffard 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Giffard
Father: Ralph Montagu 1st Duke Montagu 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ralph Winwood
GrandMother: Anne Winwood
Great x 2 Grandfather: Nicholas Ball of Totnes in Devon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ball
John Montagu 2nd Duke Montagu 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Wriothesley 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Wriothesley 1st Earl of Southampton
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Drayton of London
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Wriothesley 2nd Earl of Southampton
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Cheney of Chesham Blois in Buckinghamshire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Cheney Countess Southampton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Wriothesley 3rd Earl of Southampton 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Gage
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Browne Countess Southampton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Radclyffe 1st Earl of Sussex 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Radclyffe 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Stanley Countess Sussex 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Thomas Wriothesley 4th Earl of Southampton 2nd Earl Chichester 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Humphrey Vernon 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Vernon 4 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Ludlow 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Vernon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Vernon Countess Southampton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Devereux 1st Viscount Hereford 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Devereux 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Grey Baroness Ferrers Chartley 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Devereux 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Hastings 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Mother: Elizabeth Wriothesley Countess Northumberland 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Leigh
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Leigh
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Leigh
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Harrington
Great x 3 Grandmother: Frances Harrington
Great x 4 Grandmother: Lucy Sidney
Great x 1 Grandfather: Francis Leigh 1st Earl Chichester
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Egerton 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Egerton 1st Viscount Brackley
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Sparkes of Bickerton
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Egerton
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Ravenscroft of Bretton
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ravenscroft
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Grosvenor 
GrandMother: Elizabeth Leigh Countess Southampton 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Boteler 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Boteler 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Griselda Roche
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Boteler 1st Baron Boteler 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Waller
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Waller
Great x 1 Grandmother: Audrey Boteler Countess Chichester 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Villiers of Brooksby Leicestershire 
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Villiers of Brokesby
Great x 4 Grandmother: Collette Clarke
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Villiers Baroness Boteler Brantfield
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Saunders of Harrington Northamptonshire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Audrey Saunders