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 Mary's Church, Wirksworth is in Derbyshire Dales, Churches in Derbyshire.
St Mary's Church, Wirksworth [Map]. General Photos of the Interior and Saxon Carving.
In 1555 Anthony Lowe (age 73) died. St Mary's Church, Wirksworth [Map]. Monument to Anthony Lowe. Elizabethan Period.
Anthony Lowe: In 1482 he was born.
On 7th June 1564 Ralph Gell (age 73) died. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Wirksworth [Map]. Elizabethan Period. Chest with Weepers.
The inscription reads: Here lyeth RAFF GELL of Hopton sun of John Gell of Hopton and Godythe and Emme (age 54) his wyffes, which Raff deceased ye VIIth day of June Anno Dmi MVLXIIII. THis body whych of kynde we have ... to earth it must. A gostly bodye shall at length be raised out of dust. What harm at all recyveth man by yeldyne uppe his brethe. Synce he unto a dyryng lyffe hath passage throughe dethe. God of His mercy meer us those in a lyves booke us writ. Dy must thou onced then yelde thyselfe and dred not deathe a wyt.
Ralph Gell: In 1491 he was born. Before 1522 Ralph Gell and Godeth Ashby were married. After 1535 Ralph Gell and Emma Beresford were married.
Godeth Ashby: Around 1500 she was born to Nicholas Ashby of Willoughby on the Wolds in Nottinghamshire. Around 1535 she died.
Emma Beresford: Around 1510 she was born to Hugh Beresford.
On 29th June 1583 Anthony Gell (age 61) died. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Wirksworth [Map]. Elizabethan Period.
Anthony Gell: In 1522 he was born to Ralph Gell and Godeth Ashby.
On 26th January 1671 John Gell 1st Baronet (age 77) died. He was buried in St Mary's Church, Wirksworth [Map]. His son John (age 58) succeeded 2nd Baronet Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire.
John Gell 2nd Baronet: In 1613 he was born to John Gell 1st Baronet and Elizabeth Willoughby Lady Gell. Before 8th February 1688 John Gell 2nd Baronet and Katherine Packer of Shelingford were married. On 8th February 1688 John Gell 2nd Baronet died. His son Philip succeeded 3rd Baronet Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire. Elizabeth Fagge Lady Gell by marriage Lady Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire.
On 19th October 1704 Elizabeth Gell died. St Mary's Church, Wirksworth [Map]. Monument to Elizabeth Gell.
Elizabeth Gell: she was born to John Gell 2nd Baronet and Katherine Packer of Shelingford.
On 16th July 1719 Philip Gell 3rd Baronet (age 68) died without issue. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Wirksworth [Map]. Monument to Philip Gell 3rd Baronet. Baronet Gell of Hopton in Derbyshire extinct. His esates were inherited by his nephew John Gell son of William Eyre and Philip's sister Katherine Gell who adopted the name Gell.
On or before 22nd April 1892 Thomas Goodwin (age 82) died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Wirksworth [Map].