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: Delves
Before 4th October 1652 [his father] Thomas Delves 3rd Baronet [aged 22] and [his mother] Elizabeth Ravenscroft [aged 23] were married.
On 4th October 1652 Thomas Delves 4th Baronet was born to [his father] Thomas Delves 3rd Baronet [aged 22] and [his mother] Elizabeth Ravenscroft [aged 23].
On 2nd December 1654 [his mother] Elizabeth Ravenscroft [aged 25] died.
On 23rd May 1663 [his grandfather] Henry Delves 2nd Baronet [aged 65] died. His son [his father] Thomas [aged 32] succeeded 3rd Baronet Delves of Dodington in Cheshire.
On 13th August 1674 Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 21] and Jane Knightley [aged 21] were married.
On 4th October 1678 [his daughter] Elizabeth Delves was born to Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 26] and [his wife] Jane Knightley [aged 25]. She married 10th February 1710 Brian Broughton 3rd Baronet, son of Thomas Broughton 2nd Baronet and Rhoda Amcotts Lady Broughton, and had issue.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 8th June 1690. Sonday, (Whitsonday) his Majesty [aged 39] went from Peele to Chester; (Portland [aged 40], Scarborough [aged 40] & Warrington [aged 38] in the coach with him interl); I, Bidolph & one of his servants followed the Guards, &c.( the Mayor, Aldermen met him at Boughton, the Livery & Bearers in the streete interl); he went directly to the Cathedral [Map], sate in the Bishops seate; the Bishop [aged 57] attended him as Clarke of the Closet; then preached; after sermon took coach immediately at the church doore, soe to dinner at Geaton, &c. I had 2 pockets picked in the church & severall others besides myselfe; the Mayor invited me but I refused him; I, Bidolph & G.Mainwaring [aged 47] dined with Streete; severall came here to us; Bellot & I went thence to visit Sir Thomas Delves [aged 37], &c. I left Bellot there; went to Jacksons; there were Bidolph, Streete, G.Mainwaring, my 2 sons, Warburton, Wright, Governor (but he stayd not), Colonel Harman, another officer,&c. I and Bidolph & Roger left them past 7; came home neare 9; found Mr Offley there, he stayd all night.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 11th June 1690. Wednesday, a messenger came from Sir Thomas Delves [aged 37] to let us know his lady was not well, soe could not dine with us; but would call to morrow; Bidolph Offley & Roger dined with us; there came 2 men to speake with him about Boudlers money, stayd not, &c. after dinner came Kelsall; sayed Lord Warrington [aged 38] & Mainwaring would be here about 3; would eate a bitt of meate, &c. but he went away about 5; his Lordship staying late at Chester could not call; Mainwaring came past 8.
Roger Whitley's Diary. 12th June 1690. Thursday, Nat Boothe came about 9, went about 10; Sir Thomas Delves [aged 37], his lady, cosen Mainwaring, Foster, Forbes, Angell, Lee, &c. dined with us; after diner came Lady Crew, Mrs Offley, Mrs Aston, &c. these stayd till after supper; Delves,&c. went about 5, Angell soone after them; after supper came Sir Rowland Gwynne [aged 32], Mr LeLeck; Roe: Manley; G.Mainwaring [aged 47] stayd all night, soe did Offley & Nat. Lee.
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 1 Chapters 1-60 1307-1342
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel offer one of the most vivid and immediate accounts of 14th-century Europe, written by a knight who lived through the events he describes, and experienced some of them first hand. Covering the early decades of the Hundred Years’ War, this remarkable chronicle follows the campaigns of Edward III of England, the politics of France and the Low Countries, and the shifting alliances that shaped medieval warfare. Unlike later historians, Jean le Bel writes with a strong sense of eyewitness authenticity, drawing on personal experience and the testimony of fellow soldiers. His narrative captures not only battles and sieges, but also the realities of military life, diplomacy, and the ideals of chivalry that governed noble society. A key source for Jean Froissart, Le Bel’s chronicle stands on its own as a compelling and insightful work, at once historical record and literary achievement. This translation builds on the 1905 edition published in French by Jules Viard, adding extensive translations from other sources Rymer's Fœdera, the Chronicles of Adam Murimuth, William Nangis, Walter of Guisborough, a Bourgeois of Valenciennes, Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke and Richard Lescot to enrich the original text and Viard's notes.
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On 24th December 1692 [his wife] Jane Knightley [aged 39] died.
In or before 1697 Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 44] and Elizabeth Booth [aged 23] were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years. She the daughter of Henry Booth 1st Earl Warrington and Mary Langham Countess Warrington. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
In 1697 [his wife] Elizabeth Booth [aged 24] died.
In or before 1700 Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 47] and Elizabeth Barker were married.
In 1700 [his son] Henry Delves was born to Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 47] and [his wife] Elizabeth Barker.
On 10th February 1710 [his son-in-law] Brian Broughton 3rd Baronet [aged 32] and [his daughter] Elizabeth Delves [aged 31] were married. She her father's heiress.
On 15th May 1713 [his father] Thomas Delves 3rd Baronet [aged 82] died. His son Thomas [aged 60] succeeded 4th Baronet Delves of Dodington in Cheshire.
In 1725 [his son] Henry Delves [aged 25] died.
On 12th September 1727 Thomas Delves 4th Baronet [aged 74] died. Baronet Delves of Dodington in Cheshire extinct.
Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings England: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 27 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Delves 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Delves 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Delves 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Delves 1st Baronet 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
GrandFather: Henry Delves 2nd Baronet 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Father: Thomas Delves 3rd Baronet 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Wilbraham
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Wilbraham
Great x 4 Grandfather: Philip Egerton 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Helena Egerton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Wilbraham
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Grosvenor 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Grosvenor
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Grosvenor
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Cotton
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Cotton
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Brereton
GrandMother: Mary Wilbraham
Thomas Delves 4th Baronet 15 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Ravenscroft
Great x 3 Grandfather: George Ravenscroft of Bretton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Peter Ravenscroft
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Ravenscroft
GrandFather: Hall Ravenscroft
Mother: Elizabeth Ravenscroft