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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St Katherine's Church, Rowsley is in Rowsley, Derbyshire [Map], Churches in Derbyshire.
On 7th April 1854 Catherine Louise Georgina Marlay [aged 23] died from childbirth three weeks after giving birth to her daughter Edith Katherine Manners [deceased] who had died at twelve days old. She was buried at Highgate Cemetery on 15th April 1854. Monument by William Calder Marshall [aged 41] erected in 1862 in a chapel at St Katherine's Church, Rowsley [Map] built for the purpose commissioned by her husband John Manners [aged 35], the future 7th Duke of Rutland.
Exterior and interior of St Katherine's Church, Rowsley [Map]. The building of the church was commenced on 29th May 1854 by the 7th Duke Rutland [aged 35] who laid coins of every value, from a sovereign to half a farthing in the foundations. The church was built to the designs of the architect Anthony Salvin. It was dedicated to St Catherine, after the name and in honour of the late Lady Manners. It was consecrated on 18th July 1855.
St Katherine's Church, Rowsley [Map]. Memorial stone in the churchyard to the five men who died during the Haddon Tunnel Collapse.
On 2nd July 1861, a partially built 36-foot length of arch in the northern section collapsed while waiting to be keyed with additional stonework. The arch, supported by eight ribs, each fitted with props at both ends and another in the middle, steadied by three rakers held the arch in place but it collapsed without warning, burying several workers. Rescue efforts commenced immediately and the victims were extracted within two hours. Five workers were killed, four outright and another that died the following day.
