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: Berkeley
Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Donnington Countess Bath 1509-1561
Before 1601 [his father] Thomas Berkeley [aged 25] and [his mother] Elizabeth Carey [aged 24] were married. They were third cousin once removed.
On 7th October 1601 George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley was born to [his father] Thomas Berkeley [aged 26] and [his mother] Elizabeth Carey [aged 25].
On 26th October 1601 George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley was baptised at Low Leyton, Devon.
On 22nd November 1611 [his father] Thomas Berkeley [aged 36] died. He was buried at St Michael's Church, Coventry.
On 26th November 1613 [his grandfather] Henry Berkeley 7th Baron Berkeley [aged 79] died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Berkeley. His grandson George [aged 12] succeeded 8th Baron Berkeley.
On 13th April 1614 George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley [aged 12] and Elizabeth Stanhope Baroness Berkeley [aged 9] were married. She by marriage Baroness Berkeley.
On 4th November 1616 King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 15] was created Prince of Wales. Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex [aged 43] carried the Purple Ermined Robe.
James Wriothesley [aged 11], brothers Robert Howard [aged 32] and William Howard, George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley [aged 15], Henry Carey 1st Viscount Falkland [aged 41] and John Cavendish were appointed Knight of the Bath.
In 1623 [his son] Charles Berkeley was born to George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley [aged 21] and [his wife] Elizabeth Stanhope Baroness Berkeley [aged 18].
In 1628 [his son] George Berkeley 1st Earl Berkeley was born to George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley [aged 26] and [his wife] Elizabeth Stanhope Baroness Berkeley [aged 23]. He married 11th August 1646 Elizabeth Massingberd Couness Berkeley and had issue.
On 23rd April 1635 [his mother] Elizabeth Carey [aged 58] died. She was buried at St Dunstan Church, Cranford.
In 1641 [his son] Charles Berkeley [aged 18] drowned.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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On 11th August 1646 [his son] George Berkeley 1st Earl Berkeley [aged 18] and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Massingberd Couness Berkeley were married.
John Evelyn's Diary. 14th February 1656. I dined with Mr. Berkeley, son of Lord Berkeley [aged 54], of Berkeley Castle, where I renewed my acquaintance with my Lord Bruce, my fellow-traveler in Italy.
Before 10th August 1658 George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley [aged 56] and Frances Shirley were married.
On 10th August 1658 George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley [aged 56] died. His son George [aged 30] succeeded 9th Baron Berkeley. Elizabeth Massingberd Couness Berkeley by marriage Baroness Berkeley.
John Evelyn's Diary. 21st September 1658. My Lord Berkeley [deceased], of Berkeley Castle, invited me to dinner.
John Evelyn's Diary. 19th May 1659. Came to dine with me my Lord Galloway [aged 49] and his son, a Scotch Lord and learned: also my brother [aged 41] and his lady, Lord Berkeley and his lady, Mrs. Shirley, and the famous singer, Mrs. Knight, and other friends.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 14 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 15 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 23 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 18 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Berkeley 11th and 1st Baron Berkeley 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Maurice Berkeley 3rd Baron Berkeley 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Mowbray Baroness Berkeley 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Berkeley 5th Baron Berkeley 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Berkeley 6th Baron Berkeley 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Constable 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Marmaduke Constable 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnes Wentworth 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Constable Baroness Berkeley 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Fitzhugh 5th Baron Fitzhugh 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margery Fitzhugh 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Neville Baroness Fitzhugh 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Henry Berkeley 7th Baron Berkeley 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Savage 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Savage 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Stanley 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Savage of Frodsham 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Vernon 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Vernon
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Savage Baroness Berkeley 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Adam Bostock
Great x 3 Grandfather: Ralph Bostock
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Venables
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Bostock
Father: Thomas Berkeley 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Howard 1st Duke of Norfolk 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Moleyns 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 3rd Duke of Norfolk 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Frederick Tilney 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cheney 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Howard Earl of Surrey 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Stafford 2nd Duke of Buckingham 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Stafford 3rd Duke of Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Catherine Woodville Duchess Buckingham and Bedford 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stafford Duchess Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Percy 4th Earl of Northumberland 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Percy Duchess Buckingham 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud Herbert Countess Northumberland 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
GrandMother: Katherine Howard Baroness Berkeley 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert de Vere 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John de Vere 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Courtenay 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John de Vere 15th Earl of Oxford 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alice Colbroke
Great x 1 Grandmother: Frances Vere Countess of Surrey 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Trussell
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Trussell
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Trussell Countess of Oxford 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Donne
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Donne 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hastings 
9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
George Berkeley 8th Baron Berkeley 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Carey 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Carey 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anna Fulford
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Carey 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Spencer of Spencer Combe 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Spencer 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Beaufort Countess Ormonde 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Carey 1st Baron Hunsdon 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Boleyn 
8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Boleyn 1st Earl Wiltshire and Ormonde 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Butler 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Boleyn 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Howard 2nd Duke of Norfolk 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Howard Countess of Wiltshire and Ormonde 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Tilney Countess of Surrey 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
GrandFather: George Carey 2nd Baron Hunsdon 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Morgan
Great x 1 Grandmother: Anne Morgan Baroness Hunsdon
Mother: Elizabeth Carey 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Spencer
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Spencer
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Empson
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Spencer
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Graunt
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Spencer
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Knightley 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Knightley
Great x 2 Grandmother: Susan Knightley
GrandMother: Elizabeth Spencer Baroness Hunsdon and Eure
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Kitson 
Great x 1 Grandmother: Katherine Kitson
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Donnington of Stoke Newington
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Donnington Countess Bath