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 Nicholas, Alcester is in Alcester, Warwickshire [Map], Churches in Warwickshire.
After 10th November 1559. Church of St Nicholas, Alcester [Map]. Monument to Fulk Greville Baron Latimer, Baron Willoughby (deceased) and Elizabeth Willoughby 11th Baroness Latimer 3rd Baroness Willoughby of Broke (age 47). Somewhat curious armour; possibly imagined by the carver. Rose Pendant. Chunky Lions Mane. Chest with Weepers. Helm with Folds. Dress Folds at Feet. Possibly Richard and Gabriel Royley of Burton-upon-Trent.
Fulk Greville Baron Latimer, Baron Willoughby: Around 1503 he was born to Edward Greville at Milcote, Warwickshire. Before 1536 Fulk Greville Baron Latimer, Baron Willoughby and Elizabeth Willoughby 11th Baroness Latimer 3rd Baroness Willoughby of Broke were married. He by marriage Baron Latimer of Corby, Baron Willoughby Broke. On 10th November 1559 Fulk Greville Baron Latimer, Baron Willoughby died at Alcester, Warwickshire [Map].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 11th December 1559. The xj day of Desember was bered in Warwyke-shyre [Map] ser Foke Gryffylle (deceased) knyght; and he had a herse of wax and penselles, and with armes; and he had a harold of armes, and a standard and a pennon of armes, and a cott armur, and a helmett, targett, and sword, mantylles of velvett, and a vj dosen skochyons; and mony morners; and pore men had gownes; and a grette dolle; and after a grett dener, for the ryche and pore; and the best howse-keper in that contre.
Note. P. 219. Funeral of sir Fulke Greville. Grandfather of the celebrated sir Fulke Greville, K.B. the first lord Brooke. He died Nov. 10, 1559, and was buried at Alcester, co. Warw. where recumbent effigies of him and his wife were placed upon an altar-tomb an engraving of which will be found in Dugdale's History of Warwickshire.
1828. Church of St Nicholas, Alcester [Map]. Monument to Francis Ingram Seymour-Conway 2nd Marquess Hertford sculpted by Francis Leggatt Chantrey (age 46). Signed and dated 1828. Half reclining figure on high base.
On 2nd February 1880 George Hamilton Seymour-Conway (age 82) died. Monument at Church of St Nicholas, Alcester [Map] sculpted by Prince Victor of Hohenlohe Langenburg Count Gleichen (age 46). Seated figure on Pedestal.
George Hamilton Seymour-Conway: On 21st September 1797 he was born to George Seymour-Conway and Isabella Hamilton. He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 29th July 1953 Robert Throckmorton 11th Baronet (age 45) and Isabel Violet Kathleen Manners (age 35) were married at the Church of St Nicholas, Alcester [Map]. She the daughter of John Henry Montagu Manners 9th Duke Rutland and Kathleen Tennant Duchess Rutland (age 58).