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: Barkham
1350. All Saints Church, West Acre [Map] was constructed over a number of centuries starting the 14th with restoration in the 19th Century. Formerly a dependancy of West Acre Priory, restored by Edward Barkham who was Lord of the Manor.
In or before 1570 [his uncle] Edward Barkham (age 19) and [his mother] Elizabeth Rolfe (age 14) were married.
Around 1570 Edward Barkham was born to [his uncle] Edward Barkham (age 20) and [his mother] Elizabeth Rolfe (age 15).
Before 19th December 1591 Edward Barkham (age 21) and Jane Crouch (age 18) were married. Some sources report their marriage as 1593 which is inconsistent with the date of birth of their eldest son Edward Barkham 1st Baronet on 19th December 1591.
On 19th December 1591 [his son] Edward Barkham 1st Baronet was born to Edward Barkham (age 21) and [his wife] Jane Crouch (age 18). He married 31st July 1622 Francis Berney and had issue.
Around 1593 [his daughter] Elizabeth Barkham Lady Garrard was born to Edward Barkham (age 23) and [his wife] Jane Crouch (age 20). She married in or before 1614 John Garrard 1st Baronet and had issue.
In 1596 [his daughter] Jane Barkham was born to Edward Barkham (age 26) and [his wife] Jane Crouch (age 23).
In 1599 [his son] Robert Barkham was born to Edward Barkham (age 29) and [his wife] Jane Crouch (age 26).
On 5th January 1600 [his uncle] Edward Barkham (age 50) died.
In 1602 [his daughter] Susan Barkham was born to Edward Barkham (age 32) and [his wife] Jane Crouch (age 29). She married before 23rd June 1624 Robert Walpole and had issue.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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In 1605 [his daughter] Margaret Barkham was born to Edward Barkham (age 35) and [his wife] Jane Crouch (age 32).
On or before 22nd December 1607 Edmund Bell (age 45) died. He was buried on 22nd December 1607. His heirs sold the manor of South Acre, Norfolk to Edward Barkham (age 37).
In 1611 Edward Barkham (age 41) was appointed Sheriff of London.
On 28th February 1611 Edward Barkham (age 41) was appointed Alderman of Farringdon Within.
In or before 1614 [his son-in-law] John Garrard 1st Baronet (age 23) and [his daughter] Elizabeth Barkham Lady Garrard (age 20) were married.
In 1621 Edward Barkham (age 51) was appointed Alderman of Cheap Ward.
In 1621 Edward Barkham (age 51) was appointed Lord Mayor of London.
On 10th July 1621 Edward Barkham (age 51) was translated to the Worshipful Company of Drapers.
From 1622 to 1623 Edward Barkham (age 52) was Master of the Worshipful Company of Drapers.
On 16th June 1622 Edward Barkham (age 52) was knighted.
On 31st July 1622 [his son] Edward Barkham 1st Baronet (age 30) and [his daughter-in-law] Francis Berney were married.
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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Before 23rd June 1624 [his son-in-law] Robert Walpole (age 30) and [his daughter] Susan Barkham (age 22) were married.
On or before 23rd June 1624 [his daughter] Susan Barkham (age 22) died. On 9th November 1622 she was buried in St Martin's Church, Houghton Hall.
In 1625 [his mother] Elizabeth Rolfe (age 70) died.
On 17th April 1632 [his daughter] Elizabeth Barkham Lady Garrard (age 39) died.
On 15th January 1634 Edward Barkham (age 64) died. His eldest son [his son] Edward Barkham 1st Baronet (age 42) inherited all his estates except Waynflete which were inherited by his younger son [his son] Robert Barkham (age 35). In 1652 [his wife] Jane Crouch (age 61) died.
Church of St George, South Acre [Map].
A very rich and stately altar monument, of marble and alabaster, ornamented with several deaths heads, bones, &c. in basso-relievo, on this rests a large black marble slab, supported at each corner by a column of black marble of the Dorick order; on this slab lies a mat or bass of alabaster, curiously carved; and on that lie the statues of Sir Edward Barkham and his lady, on their backs, in their full length and proportions in alabaster, Sir Edward in armour, and (what is somewhat incompatible) with his scarlet gown and golden chain about his neck, as Lord Mayor of London, over his armour; so that the statuary was of the same opinion with the Roman orator, Cedant arma togœ (Let the arms yield to the toga or Let the sword yield to the toga); he has also a book in his right hand, and rests his head on a cushion: his lady is in a dress agreeable to the age she lived in, her hands across, and rests her head on a cushion; at the head and foot of this monument are the effigies of two sons (Edward Barkham 1st Baronet and Robert Barkham) and three daughters ([his daughter] Elizabeth Barkham Lady Garrard, [his daughter] Margaret Barkham (age 29) and [his daughter] Jane Barkham (age 38) Note. one daughter [his daughter] Susan Barkham had predeceased her father) all kneeling on cushions. To this monument is a wall-piece of the same materials, on the summit of which is this shield, argent, three pallets gules over all a chevron or, Barkham; and under it this motto, diligentia, fortunæmater (fortune, prosper through diligence, care, economy); on each side of this, is a figure; that on the right hand representing Victory, with a laurel crown in her right hand, and on the pedestal that supports her, Barkham impaling quarterly 1&4, arg. on a pale sable three crosses pattee, or, in a bordure engrailed of the 2d, Crouch; in the 2&3 arg. on a chevron sable three helmets closed, or, Scot: the figure on the left hand is, a skeleton representing death, and on the pedestal the arms of Crouch and Scott quarterly, and by these figures are two hour-glasses with wings.
GrandFather: Robert Edward Barkham 
Father: Edward Barkham
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ralph Berney
GrandMother: Jane Frances Berney
Mother: Elizabeth Rolfe