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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On 17th April 1874 [his father] William Lever 1st Viscount Leverhulme [aged 22] and [his mother] Elizabeth Ellen Hulme Lady Lever [aged 23] were married.
On 25th March 1888 William Lever 2nd Viscount Leverhulme was born to [his father] William Lever 1st Viscount Leverhulme [aged 36] and [his mother] Elizabeth Ellen Hulme Lady Lever [aged 37].
On 13th April 1912 William Lever 2nd Viscount Leverhulme [aged 24] and Marion Beatrice Smith Viscountess Leverhulme [aged 25] were married.
On 24th July 1913 [his mother] Elizabeth Ellen Hulme Lady Lever [aged 62] died. She was buried at Christ Church, Port Sunlight [Map].
On 1st July 1915 [his son] Philip Lever 3rd Viscount Leverhulme was born to William Lever 2nd Viscount Leverhulme [aged 27].
On 7th May 1925 [his father] William Lever 1st Viscount Leverhulme [aged 73] died. He was buried at Christ Church, Port Sunlight [Map]. His son William [aged 37] succeeded 2nd Viscount Leverhulme of the Western Isles, 2nd Baron Leverhulme of Bolton le Moors in Lancashire, 2nd Baronet Lever of Thornton Manor in Cheshire. [his wife] Marion Beatrice Smith Viscountess Leverhulme [aged 38] by marriage Viscountess Leverhulme of the Western Isles.
Marion Beatrice Smith Viscountess Leverhulme: On 6th July 1886 she was born to Bryce Smith. On 13th April 1912 William Lever 2nd Viscount Leverhulme and she were married. In 1936 William Lever 2nd Viscount Leverhulme and Marion Beatrice Smith Viscountess Leverhulme were divorced. On 30th August 1987 she died.
1929. "Diana" by Gilbert Bayes [aged 56]. Puchased by William Lever 2nd Viscount Leverhulme [aged 40]. Presented to the Lady Lever Art Gallery [Map] in memory of his friend the architect Segar Segar-Owen who helped design the Lady Lever Art Gallery [Map].
In 1936 William Lever 2nd Viscount Leverhulme [aged 47] and Marion Beatrice Smith Viscountess Leverhulme [aged 49] were divorced.
On 20th January 1937 William Lever 2nd Viscount Leverhulme [aged 48] and Winifred Agnes Lloyd Viscountess Leverhulme [aged 37] were married. She by marriage Viscountess Leverhulme of the Western Isles.
On 27th May 1949 William Lever 2nd Viscount Leverhulme [aged 61] died. He was buried at Christ Church, Port Sunlight [Map]. His son Philip [aged 33] succeeded 3rd Viscount Leverhulme of the Western Isles, 3rd Baron Leverhulme of Bolton le Moors in Lancashire, 3rd Baronet Lever of Thornton Manor in Cheshire.
Philip Lever 3rd Viscount Leverhulme: On 1st July 1915 he was born to William Lever 2nd Viscount Leverhulme. In 1988 he was appointed 968th Knight of the Garter. On 4th July 2000 he died. Viscount Leverhulme of the Western Isles, Baron Leverhulme of Bolton le Moors in Lancashire, Baronet Lever of Thornton Manor in Cheshire extinct.
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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On 19th February 1966 [his former wife] Winifred Agnes Lloyd Viscountess Leverhulme [aged 66] died. She was buried at Christ Church, Port Sunlight [Map].
Winifred Agnes Lloyd Viscountess Leverhulme: On 14th July 1899 she was born. On 20th January 1937 William Lever 2nd Viscount Leverhulme and she were married. She by marriage Viscountess Leverhulme of the Western Isles.
On 30th August 1987 [his former wife] Marion Beatrice Smith Viscountess Leverhulme died.