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.
On or before 26th February 1627 Mary Gardiner was born to [her father] Thomas Gardiner [aged 36]. She was baptised on 26th February 1627 at Greenford Magna, Middlesex.
Around 1630 [her future husband] Henry Wood 1st Baronet [aged 32] and Anne Webb were married.
John Evelyn's Diary. 1st November 1650. Took leave of my Lord Stanhope [aged 16], going on his journey toward Italy; also visited my Lord Hatton [aged 45], Comptroller of his Majesty's Household, the Countess of Morton [aged 41], Governess to the Lady Henrietta [aged 6], and Mrs. Gardner [aged 23], one of the Queen's maids of honor.
In November 1651 Henry Wood 1st Baronet [aged 54] and Mary Gardiner [aged 24] were married at Paris [Map]. The difference in their ages was 29 years.
John Evelyn's Diary. 17th November 1651. I went to congratulate the marriage of Mrs. Gardner [aged 24], maid of honor, lately married to that odd person, [her husband] Sir Henry Wood [aged 54]: but riches do many things.
In 1652 [her father] Thomas Gardiner [aged 61] died.
In 1663 [her daughter] Mary Wood Duchess Southampton was born to [her husband] Henry Wood 1st Baronet [aged 65] and Mary Gardiner [aged 35]. She married 1679 Charles Fitzroy 1st Duke Southampton 2nd Duke Cleveland, son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland and Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 26th October 1663. Thence to Westminster Hall [Map] with Creed, and spent the morning walking there, where, it being Terme time, I met several persons, and talked with them, among others James Pearce Surgeon, who tells me that the Queen [aged 24] is in a way to be pretty well again, but that her delirium in her head continues still; that she talks idle, not by fits, but always, which in some lasts a week after so high a fever, in some more, and in some for ever; that this morning she talked mightily that she was brought to bed, and that she wondered that she should be delivered without pain and without spueing or being sicke, and that she was troubled that her boy was but an ugly boy. But the King [aged 33] being by, said, "No, it is a very pretty boy".-"Nay", says she, "if it be like you it is a fine boy indeed, and I would be very well pleased with it". The other day she talked mightily of [her husband] Sir H. Wood's [aged 66] lady's [aged 36] great belly, and said if she should miscarry he would never get another, and that she never saw such a man as this Sir H. Wood in her life, and seeing of Dr. Pridgeon, she said, "Nay, Doctor, you need not scratch your head, there is hair little enough already in the place". But methinks it was not handsome for the weaknesses of Princes to be talked of thus.
On 17th March 1665 Mary Gardiner [aged 38] died of smallpox. On 1st April 1665 she was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map].
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 17th March 1665. This night my Lady Wood [aged 38] died of the small-pox, and is much lamented among the great persons for a good-natured woman and a good wife, but for all that it was ever believed she was as others are. The Duke [aged 31] did give us some commands, and so broke up, not taking leave of him. But the best piece of newes is, that instead of a great many troublesome Lords, the whole business is to be left with the Duke of Albemarle [aged 56] to act as Admirall in his stead; which is a thing that do cheer my heart. For the other would have vexed us with attendance, and never done the business.
On 25th May 1671 [her former husband] Henry Wood 1st Baronet [aged 73] died without male issue. Baronet Wood extinct. On 31st May 1671 he was buried at Ufford, Suffolk. His daughter Mary Wood Duchess Southampton [aged 8] was his heir. In view of the great wealth she was to inherit she was betrothed to Charles Fitzroy 1st Duke Southampton 2nd Duke Cleveland [aged 8], an illegitmate son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 40] and Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland [aged 30]. On her father's death she went to live with Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland. They, Mary Wood Duchess Southampton and Charles Fitzroy 1st Duke Southampton 2nd Duke Cleveland married 1679 but she died a year later from smallpox.
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Gardiner
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Gardiner
GrandFather: Michael Gardiner
Father: Thomas Gardiner