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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Church of St Mary, Narford is in Narford, Churches in Norfolk.
Around 1150. Church of St Mary, Narford [Map]. The nave dates from the C12 and retains evidence of its original flint quoins. Narford is described as having once been a considerable village with its own market and fairs, but it fell into decline from the C16 onwards and is now one of the many lost villages of Norfolk.
On 7th February 1707 Andrew Fountaine [aged 74] died. His son [aged 31] inherited Narford Hall. Buried at Church of St Mary, Narford [Map].
After 7th February 1707 Monument to Andrew Fountaine [deceased] at Church of St Mary, Narford [Map].
After 27th July 1746. Church of St Mary, Narford [Map]. Monument to Elizabeth Clent [deceased] and her grandmother Sarah Chicheley. An urn and inscription panel. Inscribed chest with a heavy plinth, surmounted by a sarcophagus and an obelisk with an urn finial and heraldic achievement with motto of the Fountaine family vix ea nostra voco.
Elizabeth Clent: Captain William Price and she were married. She inherited Narford Hall when her mother Elizabeth Fountaine died. In 1706 she was born to Colonel Edward Clent of Knightwick in Worcestershire and Elizabeth Fountaine. On 27th July 1746 she died. Her son Brigg Price inherited Narford Hall.
Sarah Chicheley: she was born to Thomas Chicheley of Wimpole and Sarah Russell. On or after 29th April 1672 Andrew Fountaine and she were married. In 1710 Andrew Fountaine was gravely ill at his London townhouse. Johnathan Swift wrote ... Sir Andrew's mother and sister are come above a hundred miles to see him before he died. I knew the mother; she is the greatest Overdo upon earth; and the sister, they say, is worse; the poor man will relapse again among them. Here was the scoundrel brother [Note. Probably brother-in-law Colonel Edward Clent of Knightwick in Worcestershire] always crying in the other room till Sir Andrew was in danger; and the dog was to have all his estate if he died.
On 4th September 1753 Andrew Fountaine [aged 77] died. His sister Elizabeth Fountaine inherited Narford Hall. Monument in Church of St Mary, Narford [Map].
After 4th September 1753. Church of St Mary, Narford [Map]. Monument to Andrew Fountaine [deceased]. Dark marble sarcophagus with a white marble bust - a copy of an original by Louis Francois Roubiliac [aged 51] now in the Norwich Museum collection.
On or before 30th November 1817 Charles George Fountaine of Narford Hall in Norfolk was born to Andrew Fountaine [aged 47] and Hannah Penrice. He was baptised on 30th November 1817 at the Church of St Mary, Narford [Map]. He married 11th April 1848 Rose Sarah Ravenshaw and had issue.
On or before 7th May 1818 Caroline Fountaine was born to Andrew Fountaine [aged 47] and Hannah Penrice. She was baptised 7th May 1818 at the Church of St Mary, Narford [Map]. She married 28th December 1842 John Bennet Lawes 1st Baronet and had issue.
On or before 11th February 1853 Caroline Fountaine was born to Andrew Fountaine [aged 44] and Caroline Berney. She was baptised 11th February 1853 at the Church of St Mary, Narford [Map].
On 25th May 1879 Vice Admiral Charles Andrew Fountaine was born to Algernon Charles Fountaine [aged 27] at Narford Hall and Mary Fountaine [aged 31]. He was baptised 3rd August 1879 at the Church of St Mary, Narford [Map]. He married 7th March 1918 Louisa Constance Catherine Maclean and had issue.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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After 14th September 1997. Church of St Mary, Narford [Map]. Grave of Andrew Douglas Algernon Fountaine [deceased] and Rosemary Mitcham [aged 65].
Rosemary Mitcham: On 3rd October 1931 she was born. Before 14th September 1997 Andrew Douglas Algernon Fountaine and she were married. On 25th October 2013 she died.
On 17th November 2005 Charles Andrew Fountaine [aged 52] died. He was buried in the Churchyard of the Church of St Mary, Narford [Map].
Charles Andrew Fountaine: On 7th November 1953 he was born to John Brigg Charles Fountaine. Probably. Likely since Andrew Douglas Algernon Fountaine appears to have died without issue so Charles Andrew Fountaine.
On 2nd April 2006 John Brigg Charles Fountaine [aged 83] died. He was buried in the Churchyard of the Church of St Mary, Narford [Map].
John Brigg Charles Fountaine: On 15th November 1922 he was born to Vice Admiral Charles Andrew Fountaine and Louisa Constance Catherine Maclean at Narford Hall. On 14th September 1997 Andrew Douglas Algernon Fountaine died of cancer possibly at Swaffham Hospital otherwise at Narford Hall without issue. His brother John Brigg Charles Fountaine inherited Narford Hall.