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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Paternal Family Tree: Obrien Inchiquin
In 1614 Murdough O'Brien 1st Earl Inchiquin was born to [his father] Dermod McMurrough O'Brien 5th Baron Inchiquin (age 19).
On 29th December 1624 [his father] Dermod McMurrough O'Brien 5th Baron Inchiquin (age 30) died.
Before 1636 Murdough O'Brien 1st Earl Inchiquin (age 21) and Elizabeth St Leger Countess Inchiquin were married.
Around 1640 [his son] William O'Brien 2nd Earl Inchiquin was born to Murdough O'Brien 1st Earl Inchiquin (age 26) and [his wife] Elizabeth St Leger Countess Inchiquin. He married Margaret Boyle Countess Inchiquin, daughter of Roger Boyle 1st Earl Orrery and Margaret Howard Countess Orrery, and had issue.
John Evelyn's Diary. 29th January 1651. Dr. Duncan preached on 8 Matt. v. 34, showing the mischief of covetousness. My Lord Marquis of Ormonde (age 40) and Inchiquin (age 37), come newly out of Ireland, were this day at chapel.
In May 1654 Murdough O'Brien 1st Earl Inchiquin (age 40) was created 1st Earl Inchiquin. [his wife] Elizabeth St Leger Countess Inchiquin by marriage Countess Inchiquin.
In or before 1665 [his son-in-law] Richard Southwell of Castle Matrix and [his daughter] Elizabeth O'Brien were married. She the daughter of Murdough O'Brien 1st Earl Inchiquin (age 50) and [his wife] Elizabeth St Leger Countess Inchiquin.
Around 1665 John Michael Wright (age 47). Portrait of Murdough O'Brien 1st Earl Inchiquin (age 51).
On 9th September 1674 Murdough O'Brien 1st Earl Inchiquin (age 60) died. He was buried at St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, County Limerick. His son William (age 34) succeeded 2nd Earl Inchiquin.
Anne Boleyn. Her Life as told by Lancelot de Carle's 1536 Letter.
In 1536, two weeks after the execution of Anne Boleyn, her brother George and four others, Lancelot du Carle, wrote an extraordinary letter that described Anne's life, and her trial and execution, to which he was a witness. This book presents a new translation of that letter, with additional material from other contemporary sources such as Letters, Hall's and Wriothesley's Chronicles, the pamphlets of Wynkyn the Worde, the Memorial of George Constantyne, the Portuguese Letter and the Baga de Secrets, all of which are provided in Appendices.
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In 1685 [his former wife] Elizabeth St Leger Countess Inchiquin died.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 22nd. All the morning with my painters, who will make an end of all this day I hope. At noon I went to the Sun tavern [Map]; on Fish Street hill, to a dinner of Captn. Teddimans, where was my Lord Inchiquin (who seems to be a very fine person), Sir W. Pen, Captn. Cuttance, and one Mr. Lawrence (a fine gentleman now going to Algiers), and other good company, where we had a very fine dinner, good musique, and a great deal of wine. We staid here very late, at last Sir W. Pen and I home together, he so overcome with wine that he could hardly go; I was forced to lead him through the streets and he was in a very merry and kind mood. I home (found my house clear of the workmen and their work ended), my head troubled with wine, and I very merry went to bed, my head akeing all night.
[his daughter] Elizabeth O'Brien was born to Murdough O'Brien 1st Earl Inchiquin and Elizabeth St Leger Countess Inchiquin. She married in or before 1665 Richard Southwell of Castle Matrix, son of Thomas Southwell 1st Baronet, and had issue.