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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On 18th May 1692 Bishop Joseph Butler was born in Wantage, Berkshire.
On 26th October 1718 Bishop Joseph Butler (age 26) was ordained a Deacon by William Talbot (age 60), Bishop of Salisbury, in his Bishop's Palace, Salisbury
On 21st December 1718 Bishop Joseph Butler (age 26) was ordained a Priest by William Talbot (age 60), Bishop of Salisbury, at St James' Church, Piccadilly.
After 21st December 1718 Bishop Joseph Butler (age 26) became Rector of Stanhope, County Durham [Map].
In 1736 Bishop Joseph Butler (age 43) became the head chaplain of George II's (age 52) wife Caroline (age 52).
On 19th October 1738 Bishop Joseph Butler (age 46) was elected Bishop of Bristol.
On 3rd December 1738 Bishop Joseph Butler (age 46) was consecrated Bishop of Bristol at Lambeth Palace [Map].
On 24th May 1740 Bishop Joseph Butler (age 48) was installed Dean of St Paul's Cathedral.
From 1746 to 1752 Bishop Joseph Butler (age 53) served as Clerk of the Closet to King George II of Great Britain and Ireland (age 62).
William of Worcester's Chronicle of England
William of Worcester, born around 1415, and died around 1482 was secretary to John Fastolf, the renowned soldier of the Hundred Years War, during which time he collected documents, letters, and wrote a record of events. Following their return to England in 1440 William was witness to major events. Twice in his chronicle he uses the first person: 1. when writing about the murder of Thomas, 7th Baron Scales, in 1460, he writes '… and I saw him lying naked in the cemetery near the porch of the church of St. Mary Overie in Southwark …' and 2. describing King Edward IV's entry into London in 1461 he writes '… proclaimed that all the people themselves were to recognize and acknowledge Edward as king. I was present and heard this, and immediately went down with them into the city'. William’s Chronicle is rich in detail. It is the source of much information about the Wars of the Roses, including the term 'Diabolical Marriage' to describe the marriage of Queen Elizabeth Woodville’s brother John’s marriage to Katherine, Dowager Duchess of Norfolk, he aged twenty, she sixty-five or more, and the story about a paper crown being placed in mockery on the severed head of Richard, 3rd Duke of York.
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Before 9th October 1750 Bishop Joseph Butler (age 58) was translated to Bishop of Durham.
On 9th October 1750 Bishop Joseph Butler (age 58) was enthroned Bishop of Durham by proxy.
After 1752. Durham Cathedral [Map]. Memorial to Bishop Joseph Butler (age 59).
On 16th June 1752 Bishop Joseph Butler (age 60) died unmarried at Rosemead House Kingsmead Square Bath, Somerset. He was buried at Bristol Cathedral [Map].