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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In 1719 Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot was born to [her father] Adam Cardonnel.
On 21st February 1733 William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 22] and Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 14] were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square.
In July 1735 [her daughter] Cecil Cardonnel 2nd Baroness Dynevor was born to [her husband] William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 25] and Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 16]. She married 16th August 1756 George Rice and had issue.
On 14th February 1737 [her father-in-law] Charles Talbot 1st Baron Talbot [aged 52] died at Lincoln's Inn Fields. His son [her husband] William [aged 26] succeeded 2nd Baron Talbot of Hensol in Glamorganshire. Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 18] by marriage Baroness Talbot of Hensol in Glamorganshire.
Before 23rd December 1739 John Vanderbank [aged 45]. Portrait of Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 20].
1742. Allan Ramsay [aged 28]. Portrait of Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 23].
In March 1743 Henry Somerset 3rd Duke Beaufort [aged 35] and Frances Scudamore 3rd Duchess Beaufort [aged 32] were divorced. He sued [her husband] William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 32], with whom his wife was having an affair, for damages.
On 16th August 1756 [her son-in-law] George Rice and Cecil Cardonnel 2nd Baroness Dynevor [aged 21] were married. She the daughter of William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 46] and Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 37].
On 29th March 1761 [her husband] William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 50] was created 1st Earl Talbot. Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 42] by marriage Countess Talbot.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 17th October 1780 [her husband] William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 70] was created 1st Baron Dynevor of Dynevor in Camarthenshire. Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 61] by marriage Baroness Dynevor of Dynevor in Camarthenshire.
On 27th April 1782 [her husband] William Talbot 1st Earl Talbot [aged 71] died at Lincoln's Inn. Earl Talbot extinct. His daughter Cecil [aged 46] succeeded 2nd Baroness Dynevor of Dynevor in Camarthenshire. His nephew John [aged 33] succeeded 3rd Baron Talbot of Hensol in Glamorganshire.
1787. Joseph Nollekens [aged 49]. Design for monument to Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 68] at St Mary Church, Great Barrington.
On 5th April 1787 Mary Cardonnel Countess Talbot [aged 68] died.