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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Earl Kimberley is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically, Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extant Earldoms of England.
Summary
1886. John Wodehouse 1st Earl Kimberley [aged 59] created.
8th April 1902. Son John Wodehouse 2nd Earl Kimberley [aged 54] succeeded.
7th January 1932. Son John Wodehouse 3rd Earl Kimberley [aged 48] succeeded.
16th April 1941. Son John Wodehouse 4th Earl Kimberley [aged 16] succeeded.
26th May 2002. Son John Armine Wodehouse 5th Earl Kimberley [aged 51] succeeded.
In 1886 John Wodehouse 1st Earl Kimberley [aged 59] was created 1st Earl Kimberley. Florence Fitzgibbon Countess Kimberley [aged 61] by marriage Countess Kimberley.
On 8th April 1902 John Wodehouse 1st Earl Kimberley [aged 76] died at 35 Lowndes Square, Belgravia. His son John [aged 54] succeeded 2nd Earl Kimberley, 4th Baron Wodehouse of Kimberley in Norfolk, 9th Baronet Woodhouse of Wilberhall. Isabel Geraldine Stracey Countess Kimberley by marriage Countess Kimberley.
On 7th January 1932 John Wodehouse 2nd Earl Kimberley [aged 83] died. His son John [aged 48] succeeded 3rd Earl Kimberley, 5th Baron Wodehouse of Kimberley in Norfolk, 10th Baronet Woodhouse of Wilberhall. Frances Margaret Irby Countess Kimberley [aged 47] by marriage Countess Kimberley.
On 16th April 1941 John Wodehouse 3rd Earl Kimberley [aged 57] died. His son John [aged 16] succeeded 4th Earl Kimberley, 6th Baron Wodehouse of Kimberley in Norfolk, 11th Baronet Woodhouse of Wilberhall.
On 27th October 1945 John Wodehouse 4th Earl Kimberley [aged 21] and Diana Evelyn Legh Countess Kimberley [aged 21] were married. She by marriage Countess Kimberley. They were divorced in 1949. He the son of John Wodehouse 3rd Earl Kimberley and Frances Margaret Irby Countess Kimberley [aged 60]. They were fifth cousin once removed.
On 26th May 2002 John Wodehouse 4th Earl Kimberley [aged 78] died. His son John [aged 51] succeeded 5th Earl Kimberley, 7th Baron Wodehouse of Kimberley in Norfolk, 12th Baronet Woodhouse of Wilberhall.