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: Witham
On or before 30th June 1579 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles was born to [her father] William Witham of Ledstone (age 33) at Ledsham. She was baptised 30th June 1579.
On or after 8th May 1593 [her father] William Witham of Ledstone (deceased) died. He died of a malign influence caused by Mary Pannal who was subsequently executed for witchcraft; the last person in England to be so. Or it may have been son of his William Witham who had died in 1593. He was buried 8th May 1593.
In or before 1600 Thomas Jobson of Cudworth and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 20) were married.
Around 1600 [her son] Thomas Jobson was born to [her husband] Thomas Jobson of Cudworth and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 20).
On 21st November 1606 [her husband] Thomas Jobson of Cudworth died.
In 1611 Thomas Bolles (age 33) and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 31) were married.
On 23rd October 1613 [her daughter] Anne Bolles Lady Dalston was born to [her husband] Thomas Bolles (age 35) and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 34) She married 1635 William Dalston 1st Baronet and had issue.
On 2nd August 1618 [her daughter] Mary Bolles was born to [her husband] Thomas Bolles (age 40) and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 39) at Worksop, Nottinghamshire. She was baptised 7th August 1618. She married 8th January 1641 Thomas Leigh of Adlington.
In 1635 [her son-in-law] William Dalston 1st Baronet (age 25) and [her daughter] Anne Bolles Lady Dalston (age 21) were married.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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On 13th April 1635 [her husband] Thomas Bolles (age 57) died at Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
On 19th December 1635 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 56) was created 1st Lady Bolles by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 35) with remainder to her heirs male and assignees. The only creation of a Baronetess in history. Bolles the name of her late husband [her former husband] Thomas Bolles who had died nine months before.
Around 1636 [her grandson] William Jobson 2nd Baronet was born to [her son] Thomas Jobson (age 36) and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 56) at Heath. He married before 1666 Lucy Tindall Lady Jobson Lady Jackson and had issue.
On 8th January 1641 [her son-in-law] Thomas Leigh of Adlington (age 27) and [her daughter] Mary Bolles (age 22) were married at Worksop Priory [Map].
On 20th May 1643 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 63) entertained Royalist troops to a Bowling Match at Heath Old Hall. Wakefield [Map] was taken the next day by Paliamentary troops.
Around 1653 [her son] Thomas Jobson (age 53) died.
On 22nd November 1656 [her daughter] Mary Bolles (age 38) died at Prestbury, Cheshire [Map].
On 4th May 1662 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 82) made her will
On 5th May 1662 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 82) died at Heath Old Hall. Her son [her grandson] William (age 26) succeeded 2nd Baronet Jobson.
Around 16th June 1662 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (deceased) was buried at All Saints Church, Ledsham [Map] some six weeks after her death as stipulated by her will by which she provided £120 to "retain her kindred, friends and servants together, and to entertain other persons ordinary and extraordinary". Shroud Monument.
Her tomb consists of a large block of white marble on a black slab on which her finely carved effigy rests showing her in a winding sheet. The black slab is supported by black pillars with white capitals and base.
At the head of the tomb are the arms Witham as a widow: Or three eaglets overall a bend gules. The Witham crest: Out of a ducal coronet or a demi-woman hair dishevelled holding in dester hand a gem ring.
At the sides Jobson (impaling Witham and Bolles implaing Witham.
The inscription ...
Here under, lyeth interred the Body of the Right Worshipful Dame Mary Bolles of Heath Hall, in the County of York, Baronetess, on of the daughters of William Witham, of the worshipful and ancient Family of Witham of Leadstone Hall, in the County aforesaid, Esquire; who married to her first husband [her former husband] Thomas Jobson of Cudworth, in the said County, Esquire, by whom she had issue Thomas Jobson, Esquire, and Elizabeth, who married Thomas Sheerebrooke of Oxon, in the Country of Nottingham, Esquire. The said Dame Mary Bolles had to her second husband Thomas Bolles of Asbarstone, in the Country of Nottingham, Esquire; by who she had issue Ann, married the Right Worshipful Sir William Dalston of Dalston, in the County of Cumberland, King and Baronet; and Mary, who married Thomas Legh of Alington, in the County of Cheshire, Esquire. The said Dame Mary Bolles, being 83 years of age, departed this mortal life at Heath Hall, aforesaid, the 5 day of May, in the year of our Lord 1662.
Her bowels were buried at the Church of St Peter Kirkthorpe [Map].
Thomas Jobson of Cudworth: In or before 1600 he and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles were married. On 21st November 1606 he died.
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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[her daughter] Elizabeth Jobson was born to Thomas Jobson of Cudworth and Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles. She married Thomas Sherbrook of Oxton in Nottinghamshire.
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Witham of Grantham
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Witham
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Witham of Bretonby
Great x 1 Grandfather: Matthew Witham of Bretonby
GrandFather: Henry Witham of Ledston
Father: William Witham of Ledstone