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: Cromwell
Before 1593 [his father] Edward Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell Oakham [aged 32] and Elizabeth Umpton were married.
On 11th June 1594 Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass was born to [his father] Edward Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell Oakham [aged 34] and [his mother] Francis Rugge Baroness Cromwell Oakham.
Before 27th April 1607 [his father] Edward Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell Oakham [aged 47] and [his mother] Francis Rugge Baroness Cromwell Oakham were married.
On 27th April 1607 [his father] Edward Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell Oakham [aged 47] died. His son Thomas [aged 12] succeeded 4th Baron Cromwell Oakham. [his future wife] Elizabeth Meverell Countess Ardglass by marriage Baroness Cromwell Oakham.
Before 12th September 1624 Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass [aged 30] and Elizabeth Meverell Countess Ardglass were married.
On 12th September 1624 [his son] Wingfield Cromwell 2nd Earl Ardglass was born to Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass [aged 30] and [his wife] Elizabeth Meverell Countess Ardglass. He married before 1653 Mary Russell Countess Ardglass, daughter of William Russell 1st Baronet and Frances Reade Lady Russell.
On 22nd November 1624 Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass [aged 30] was created 1st Viscount Lecale in Ulster. [his wife] Elizabeth Meverell Countess Ardglass by marriage Viscountess Lecale in Ulster.
On 2nd October 1625 [his son] Vere Essex Cromwell 4th Earl Ardglass was born to Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass [aged 31] and [his wife] Elizabeth Meverell Countess Ardglass.
In 1631 [his mother] Francis Rugge Baroness Cromwell Oakham died.
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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Around 1631 [his daughter] Mary Cromwell was born to Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass [aged 36] and [his wife] Elizabeth Meverell Countess Ardglass. She married before 6th April 1676 William Fitzherbert.
Before 30th November 1631 [his step-father] Richard Wingfield 1st Viscount Powerscourt [aged 81] and [his mother] Francis Rugge Baroness Cromwell Oakham were married.
On 15th April 1645 Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass [aged 50] was created 1st Earl Ardglass. [his wife] Elizabeth Meverell Countess Ardglass by marriage Countess Ardglass.
Before 1653 Wingfield Cromwell 2nd Earl Ardglass [aged 28] and Mary Russell Countess Ardglass [aged 18] were married. He the son of Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass [aged 58] and Elizabeth Meverell Countess Ardglass.
In 1653 [his wife] Elizabeth Meverell Countess Ardglass died.
In 1653 Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass [aged 58] died. His son Wingfield [aged 28] succeeded 2nd Earl Ardglass, 5th Baron Cromwell Oakham. Mary Russell Countess Ardglass [aged 19] by marriage Countess Ardglass.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 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 Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 24 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cromwell 
11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Cromwell 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Essex 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Glossop
Great x 1 Grandfather: Gregory Cromwell 1st Baron Cromwell Oakham 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Wyckes
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Wyckes
GrandFather: Henry Cromwell 2nd Baron Cromwell Oakham 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Seymour 
11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Seymour 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Coker
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Seymour 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Darrell of Littlecote
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Darrell 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Stourtron 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Seymour Baroness Cromwell Oakham 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Wentworth 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Wentworth 4th Baron Despencer 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Clifford Baroness Despencer 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margery Wentworth 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Saye 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Saye Baroness Despencer 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cheney 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Father: Edward Cromwell 3rd Baron Cromwell Oakham 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Paulet 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Paulet 6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Ros 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Paulet 1st Marquess Winchester 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Paulet 2nd Marquess Winchester 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Capell of Stoke-by-Nayland in Suffolk
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Capell
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Capell Marchioness Winchester 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Arundell 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Arundell 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Chideocke 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
GrandMother: Mary Paulett Baroness Cromwell Oakham 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Willoughby 8th Baron Latimer of Corby 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Willoughby 1st Baron Willoughby 9th Baron Latimer 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Cheney 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Willoughby 2nd Baron Willoughby 10th Baron Latimer 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Champernowne
Great x 3 Grandmother: Blanche Champernowne
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Willoughby 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Grey 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Grey Baroness Mountjoy, Willoughby and Latimer 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bonville 6th Baron Harington 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Thomas Cromwell 1st Earl Ardglass 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Mother: Francis Rugge Baroness Cromwell Oakham