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: Cowper
Around 1665 William Cowper 1st Earl Cowper was born to [his father] William Cowper 2nd Baronet (age 26).
John Evelyn's Diary. 1st October 1705. Mr. Cowper (age 40) made Lord Keeper. Observing how uncertain great officers are of continuing long in their places, he would not accept it, unless £2,000 a year were given him in reversion when he was put out, in consideration of his loss of practice. His predecessors, how little time soever they had the Seal, usually got £100,000 and made themselves Barons. A new Secretary of State. Lord Abington (age 32), Lieutenant of the Tower, displaced, and General Churchill (age 49), brother to the Duke of Marlborough (age 55), put in. An indication of great unsteadiness somewhere, but thus the crafty Whig party (as called) begin to change the face of the Court, in opposition to the High Churchmen, which was another distinction of a party from the Low Churchmen. The Parliament chose one Mr. Smith, Speaker. There had never been so great an assembly of members on the first day of sitting, being more than 450. The votes both of the old, as well as the new, fell to those called Low Churchmen, contrary to all expectation.
In November 1705 [his father] William Cowper 2nd Baronet (age 66) died. His son William (age 40) succeeded 3rd Baronet Cowper of Ratling Court in Kent.
In 1706 William Cowper 1st Earl Cowper (age 41) and Mary Clavering Countess Cowper (age 21) were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years.
On 14th December 1706 William Cowper 1st Earl Cowper (age 41) was created 1st Baron Cowper of Wingham in Kent. [his wife] Mary Clavering Countess Cowper (age 21) by marriage Baroness Cowper of Wingham in Kent.
On 13th August 1709 [his son] William Clavering-Cowper 2nd Earl Cowper was born to William Cowper 1st Earl Cowper (age 44) and [his wife] Mary Clavering Countess Cowper (age 24). He married 27th September 1732 Henrietta Nassau 2nd Countess Cowper, daughter of Henry Nassau 1st Earl Grantham and Henrietta Butler Countess Grantham, and had issue.
Around 1712 [his son] Reverend Spencer Cowper was born to William Cowper 1st Earl Cowper (age 47) and [his wife] Mary Clavering Countess Cowper (age 27).
The 1715 Battle of Preston was the final action of the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion. It commenced on 9th November 1715 when Jacobite cavalry entered Preston, Lancashire [Map]. Royalist troops arrived in number over the next few days surrounding Preston forcing the Jacocobite surrender. 1463 were taken prisoner of which 463 were English. The Scottish prisoners included:
George Seton 5th Earl of Winton (age 38). The only prisoner to plead not guilty, sentenced to death, escaped from the Tower of London [Map] on 4th August 1716 around nine in the evening. Travelled to France then to Rome.
On 24th February 1716 William Gordon 6th Viscount Kenmure (age 44) was beheaded on Tower Hill [Map].
On 9th February 1716 William Maxwell 5th Earl Nithsale was sentenced to be executed on 24th February 1716. The night before his wife (age 36) effected his escape from the Tower of London [Map] by exchanging his clothes with those of her maid. They travelled to Paris then to Rome where the court of James "Old Pretender" Stewart (age 27) was.
James Radclyffe 3rd Earl Derwentwater (age 26) was imprisoned in the Tower of London [Map]. He was examined by the Privy Council on 10th January 1716 and impeached on 19th January 1716. He pleaded guilty in the expectation of clemency. He was attainted and condemned to death. Attempts were made to procure his pardon. His wife Anna Maria Webb Countess Derwentwater (age 24), her sister Mary Webb (age 21) [Note. Assumed to be her sister Mary], their aunt Anne Brudenell Duchess Richmond (age 45), Barbara Villiers 1st Duchess of Cleveland appealed to King George I (age 55) in person without success.
On 24th February 1716 James Radclyffe 3rd Earl Derwentwater was beheaded on Tower Hill [Map]. Earl Derwentwater, Baronet Radclyffe of Derwentwater in Cumberland forfeit.
William Murray 2nd Lord Nairne was tried on 9th February 1716 for treason, found guilty, attainted, and condemned to death. He survived long enough to benefit from the Indemnity Act of 1717.
General Thomas Forster of Adderstone (age 31) was attainted. He was imprisoned at Newgate Prison, London [Map] but escaped to France.
On 14th May 1716 Henry Oxburgh was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn [Map]. He was buried at Church of St Gile's in the Fields. His head was spiked on Temple Bar.
The trials and sentences were overseen by the Lord High Steward William Cowper 1st Earl Cowper (age 50) for which he subsequently received his Earldom.
On 18th March 1718 William Cowper 1st Earl Cowper (age 53) was created 1st Earl Cowper for having suppressed the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. [his wife] Mary Clavering Countess Cowper (age 33) by marriage Countess Cowper.
Before 1723 Johnathan "The Elder" Richardson (age 55). Portrait of William Cowper 1st Earl Cowper (age 57).
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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On 10th October 1723 William Cowper 1st Earl Cowper (age 58) died. His son William (age 14) succeeded 2nd Earl Cowper, 2nd Baron Cowper of Wingham in Kent, 4th Baronet Cowper of Ratling Court in Kent.
On 5th February 1724 [his former wife] Mary Clavering Countess Cowper (age 39) died.
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Cowper 1st Baronet
GrandFather: John Cowper
Father: William Cowper 2nd Baronet