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: Herbert
Maternal Family Tree: Anne Ratclyffe 1539-1603
In July 1654 [her father] William Herbert 1st Marquess Powis (age 28) and [her mother] Elizabeth Somerset Marchioness Powis (age 19) were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] Edward Somerset 2nd Marquess Worcester (age 52) and [her grandmother] Elizabeth Dormer. They were fourth cousins.
In 1661 Mary Herbert Viscountess Montague was born to [her father] William Herbert 1st Marquess Powis (age 35) and [her mother] Elizabeth Somerset Marchioness Powis (age 26).
On 19th January 1667 [her grandfather] Percy Herbert 2nd Baron Powis (age 69) died. His son [her father] William (age 41) succeeded 3rd Baron Powis of Powis Castle in Powys, 2nd Baronet Powis of Red Castle in Montgomeryshire. [her mother] Elizabeth Somerset Marchioness Powis (age 32) by marriage Baroness Powis of Powis Castle in Powys.
In 1674 [her father] William Herbert 1st Marquess Powis (age 48) was created 1st Earl Powis. [her mother] Elizabeth Somerset Marchioness Powis (age 39) by marriage Countess Powis.
On 2nd November 1682 Francis Browne 3rd Viscount Montagu (age 72) died. His son Francis succeeded 4th Viscount Montagu. Mary Herbert Viscountess Montague (age 21) by marriage Viscountess Montagu.
In 1687 [her father] William Herbert 1st Marquess Powis (age 61) was created 1st Marquess Powis. [her mother] Elizabeth Somerset Marchioness Powis (age 52) by marriage Marchioness Powis.
Around 1688. Francois de Troy (age 42). Portrait of Mary Herbert Viscountess Montague (age 27).
On 16th March 1691 [her mother] Elizabeth Somerset Marchioness Powis (age 56) died.
Around 1693. Francois de Troy (age 47). Portrait of Mary Herbert Viscountess Montague (age 32).
Around 1695 [her brother] William Herbert 2nd Marquess Powis (age 35) and [her sister-in-law] Mary Preston Marchioness Powis were married. He the son of [her father] William Herbert 1st Marquess Powis (age 69) and [her mother] Elizabeth Somerset Marchioness Powis. They were third cousins.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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On 2nd June 1696 [her father] William Herbert 1st Marquess Powis (age 70) died. His son [her brother] William (age 36) succeeded 2nd Marquess Powis, 2nd Earl Powis, 4th Baron Powis of Powis Castle in Powys, 3rd Baronet Powis of Red Castle in Montgomeryshire. [her sister-in-law] Mary Preston Marchioness Powis by marriage Marchioness Powis. Mary Preston Marchioness Powis by marriage Marchioness Powis.
On 2nd March 1699 [her brother-in-law] William Maxwell 5th Earl Nithsale and [her sister] Winifred Herbert Countess Nithsdale (age 19) were married. She by marriage Countess Nithsdale. She the daughter of [her father] William Herbert 1st Marquess Powis and [her mother] Elizabeth Somerset Marchioness Powis. He the son of Robert Maxwell 4th Earl Nithsdale and Lucy Douglas Countess Nithsdale (age 55).
On 30th October 1744 Mary Herbert Viscountess Montague (age 83) died.
Francis Browne 4th Viscount Montagu and Mary Herbert Viscountess Montague were married. She the daughter of William Herbert 1st Marquess Powis and Elizabeth Somerset Marchioness Powis. They were first cousin once removed.
Kings Wessex: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 25 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Herbert 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Herbert 1st Earl Pembroke
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Cradock
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Herbert 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Parr 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Parr Countess Pembroke 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Green 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Herbert 1st Baron Powis 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley of Dalgarth in Cumberland 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Stanley
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Stanley
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Barrett of Aveley in Essex
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joyce Barrett
GrandFather: Percy Herbert 2nd Baron Powis 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 5th Earl of Northumberland 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Percy 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Spencer Countess Northumberland 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Percy 8th Earl of Northumberland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Guiscard Harbottle 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Harbottle 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Willoughby 
10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Eleanor Percy Baroness Herbert 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Neville 3rd Baron Latimer 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Neville 4th Baron Latimer of Snape 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy de Vere 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Countess Northumberland 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Lucy Somerset Baroness Latimer Snape 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Father: William Herbert 1st Marquess Powis 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Craven 
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Craven
GrandMother: Elizabeth Craven Baroness Herbert
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Whitmore of Balmes Manor in Hackney
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Whitmore
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Bond
Mary Herbert Viscountess Montague 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Somerset 2nd Earl of Worcester 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Somerset 3rd Earl of Worcester 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Browne Countess of Worcester 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward North 1st Baron North
Great x 3 Grandmother: Christina North Countess of Worcester
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Squier Baroness North
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Somerset 1st Marquess Worcester 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Hastings 1st Earl Huntingdon 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Francis Hastings 2nd Earl Huntingdon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Stafford Countess Huntingdon 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Pole 1st Baron Montagu 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Pole Countess Huntingdon 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Neville Baroness Montagu 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Edward Somerset 2nd Marquess Worcester 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Russell 1st Earl Bedford 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Francis Russell 2nd Earl Bedford
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Sapcote Countess Bedford
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Russell 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John St John 
9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret St John Countess Bedford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Waldegrave 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Russell Countess Worcester 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cooke of Gidea Hall
Great x 3 Grandfather: Anthony Cooke
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Saunders
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cooke 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Fitzwilliam 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Fitzwilliam 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Mother: Elizabeth Somerset Marchioness Powis 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Dormer of Wing 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Dormer
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Dormer 1st Baron Dormer
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Catesby of Whiston 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Catesby
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Pigot
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Dormer 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Anthony Browne 1st Viscount Montagu 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Gage
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Browne Baroness Dormer 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Dacre 3rd Baron Dacre Gilsland 7th Baron Greystoke 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Magdalen Dacre Viscountess Montague 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Talbot Baroness Dacre of Gilsland 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandMother: Elizabeth Dormer 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Molyneux 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Molyneux 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Radclyffe 
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Molyneux 1st Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Molyneux 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Gerard of Astley
Great x 3 Grandfather: Gilbert Gerard
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Holcroft
Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Gerard Lady Molyneux
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Ratclyffe
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Ratclyffe