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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After 1391. St Peter's Church, Elford [Map]. Some discussion as to whether a monument to Thomas Arderne (age 54) and Catherine Stafford (age 53), or to his son John Arderne (age 21) and Margaret Pilkington (age 20). Early Plate Bascinet Period. Holding Hands. Chest with Angels with Rounded Wings holding Shields. Chunky Lions Mane. Angels Supporting Pillow. Possibly Sutton and Prentys.
After 1st September 1414 William Ros 6th Baron Ros Helmsley (deceased) was buried at Belvoir Priory [Map]. At the dissolution of the monasteries his monument was moved to the Chancel of St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map] on the right side of the High Altar. Alabaster Monument of the Camail and Jupon Period. Possibly Sutton and Prentys.
Detail of the Ros Family Peacock Crest surmounting his Great Helm.
Detail of decorated Orle and Vervelle Cover.
Detail of Lancastrian Esses Collar and face. Note the twisted moustache that is frequently seen on Sutton and Prentys monuments. The fixing of the Esses Collar to the Camail using a small trefoil.
After 7th June 1438. Monument to John Cockayne (deceased) at St Oswald's Church, Ashbourne [Map]. Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. Lancastrian Esses Collar. Cockerel Crest (most of which is missing). Horned Headdress. Chest with Angels with Rounded Wings holding Shields. Possibly Sutton and Prentys.
On or before 15th November 1448, the date he was buried at St Mary & All Saints Church, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds [Map], Hugh Willoughby died. Monument to Hugh Willoughby and Margaret Freville (age 47). Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. Hip Belt. Horned Headdress. Chest with Weepers holding Shields. Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar. Angels Supporting Pillow. Possibly Sutton and Prentys.
Hugh Willoughby: he was born to Edmund Willoughby and Isabel Annesley. Around 1395 Hugh Willoughby and Isabel Foljambe were married. Before 1419 Hugh Willoughby and Margaret Freville were married.
Margaret Freville: In 1401 she was born to Baldwin Freville. In 1493 she died.
After 1451. St Bartholemew's Church, Tong [Map]. Monument to Richard Vernon aka Pembridge (age 62) and Benedicta Ludlow. Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. He with an Lancastrian Esses Collar. Chest of sandstone with twenty-three niches containing, alternatively, twelve angels with shields, and eleven apostles. His head rests on the Vernon Horses Head Crest. She wearing Esses Collar and mitred Crespine Headress. Scabbard with IHS. Possibly the work of Sutton and Prentys.
Benedicta Ludlow: Shropshire Archaeological Society. And in addition, of our more abundant favour, we grant and give permission on our own behalf, and, as far as is in our power, on behalf of our heirs, to the aforesaid Isabel, Walter, and William Mosse, their heirs or assignees, that they themselves may give and grant the advowson and patronage of the aforesaid College, when it has thus been effectually founded, to Richard de Penbrugge, son of Richard Vernon, of Harlestonich, the near relative [Note. Richard Vernon aka Pembridge was great-nephew of Fulk de Pembridge of Tong Castle and heir of the the aforesaid Fulk, and to Benedicta, wife of the same Richard son of Richard, and to the heirs of the body of Richard son of Richard, and Benedicta, to be held, after after the death of the aforesaid Isabel, in such a way that if the same Richard son of Richard, and Benedicta die without heirs of their bodies, then the advowson and patronage of the aforesaid College remain with the heirs of the body of the same Richard son of Richard; and if the same Richard son of Richard die without an heir of his body, then the advovson and patronage of the aforesaid College remain with William Ludlow [Note. Son of William Ludlow and Isabel de Lingen] and Isabel his wife, sister of the aforesaid Richard, son of Richard, and the heirs of the body of the same William Ludlow and Isabel his wife; and if the same William Ludlow and Isabel his wife die without heirs of their bodies, then the advowson and patronage of the aforesaid College remain with the heirs of the body of the same Isabel, wife of William. Around 1391 she was born to John Ludlow and Isabel de Lingen at Hodnet, Shropshire. Before 1427 Richard Vernon aka Pembridge and she were married. In 1427 Benedicta Ludlow died at Tong, Shropshire.
After 1456. St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map]. Monument to Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover (deceased) and Margery Venables (age 87). Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. He with a Lancastrian Esses Collar and IHC NASARE Lettering his head resting on an Ass's Head Crest. She wearing a mitred crespine headress. Possiby Sutton and Prentys.
Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover: Around 1363 he was born to William "The Elder" IV Mainwaring. Before 1390 Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover and Catherine Harcourt were married. In 1391 Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover and Margery Venables were married at Kinderton, Middleton. In 1456 Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover died.
Margery Venables: Around 1369 she was born to Hugh Venables of Kinderton. Around 1387 Richard Bulkeley and she were married. In 1459 Margery Venables died.
