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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Smith aka Vernon
Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Sheppard 1617
In 1797 [his father] Robert Percy Smith [aged 26] and [his mother] Caroline Vernon were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Richard Vernon [aged 70] and [his grandmother] Evelyn Leveson-Gower Countess Upper Ossory.
On 23rd February 1800 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden was born to [his father] Robert Percy Smith [aged 29] and [his mother] Caroline Vernon.
In 1823 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 22] and Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 15] were married. She the illegitmate daughter of John Fitzpatrick 2nd Earl Upper Ossory and Elizabeth Mary Wilson. They were half first cousins.
On 27th April 1824 [his son] Fitzpatrick Vernon 2nd Baron Lyveden was born to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 24] and [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 16]. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.13%. He married (1) 21st June 1853 Albreda Elizabeth Wentworth-Fitzwilliam Baroness Lyveden, daughter of Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam 5th and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam and Mary Dundas (2) 1896 Julia Kate Emary Baroness Lyveden.
On 9th November 1825 [his son] Gowran Charles Vernon was born to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 25] and [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 17]. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.13%.
On 27th July 1828 [his son] Courtenay John Vernon was born to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 28] and [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 20]. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.13%.
In 1829 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 28] was elected MP Tralee which seat he held until 1831.
On 5th September 1829 [his daughter] Evelyn Elizabeth Vernon was born to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 29] and [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 21]. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.13%. She married 19th September 1850 George Wodehouse Currie.
In 1831 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 30] was elected MP Northampton which seat he held until 1859.
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel Volume 1 Chapters 1-60 1307-1342
The True Chronicles of Jean le Bel offer one of the most vivid and immediate accounts of 14th-century Europe, written by a knight who lived through the events he describes, and experienced some of them first hand. Covering the early decades of the Hundred Years’ War, this remarkable chronicle follows the campaigns of Edward III of England, the politics of France and the Low Countries, and the shifting alliances that shaped medieval warfare. Unlike later historians, Jean le Bel writes with a strong sense of eyewitness authenticity, drawing on personal experience and the testimony of fellow soldiers. His narrative captures not only battles and sieges, but also the realities of military life, diplomacy, and the ideals of chivalry that governed noble society. A key source for Jean Froissart, Le Bel’s chronicle stands on its own as a compelling and insightful work, at once historical record and literary achievement. This translation builds on the 1905 edition published in French by Jules Viard, adding extensive translations from other sources Rymer's Fœdera, the Chronicles of Adam Murimuth, William Nangis, Walter of Guisborough, a Bourgeois of Valenciennes, Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke and Richard Lescot to enrich the original text and Viard's notes.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 6th March 1835 [his son] Greville Richard Vernon was born to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 35] and [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 27]. Coefficient of inbreeding 3.13%. He married 13th April 1858 Susan Caroline Cockerell and had issue.
On 10th March 1845 [his father] Robert Percy Smith [aged 74] died at 20 Savile Row.
In 1846 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 45] changed the surname of his children to Vernon when his wife inherited the estates of her father [his uncle] John Fitzpatrick 2nd Earl Upper Ossory.
On 19th September 1850 [his son-in-law] George Wodehouse Currie [aged 24] and [his daughter] Evelyn Elizabeth Vernon [aged 21] were married.
On 21st June 1853 [his son] Fitzpatrick Vernon 2nd Baron Lyveden [aged 29] and [his daughter-in-law] Albreda Elizabeth Wentworth-Fitzwilliam Baroness Lyveden [aged 23] were married. She the daughter of Charles Wentworth-Fitzwilliam 5th and 3rd Earl Fitzwilliam [aged 67] and Mary Dundas.
In 1858 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 57] was created 1st Baron Lyveden. [his wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 50] by marriage Baroness Lyveden.
On 13th April 1858 [his son] Greville Richard Vernon [aged 23] and [his daughter-in-law] Susan Caroline Cockerell were married.
In 1859 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 58] changed his surname to Vernon.
On 15th January 1872 [his son] Gowran Charles Vernon [aged 46] died.
On 22nd January 1873 [his daughter] Evelyn Elizabeth Vernon [aged 43] died.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 10th November 1873 Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [aged 73] died. He was buried in Brigstock, Boughton. His son Fitzpatrick [aged 49] succeeded 2nd Baron Lyveden. Albreda Elizabeth Wentworth-Fitzwilliam Baroness Lyveden [aged 44] by marriage Baroness Lyveden.
After 10th November 1873. St Andrew's Church, Brigstock [Map]. Monument to Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden [deceased] sculpted by Matthew Noble [aged 56].
On 22nd September 1882 [his former wife] Emma Mary Fitzpatrick Baroness Lyveden [aged 74] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 21 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 18 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 24 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 19 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 28 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 22 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Father: Robert Percy Smith
Robert Smith aka Vernon 1st Baron Lyveden 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Vernon 
6 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Vernon 7 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Vernon 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Vernon
Great x 3 Grandmother: Muriel Vernon 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Corbet 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Vernon 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
GrandFather: Richard Vernon 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Mother: Caroline Vernon 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Gower 2nd Baronet
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Leveson-Gower 4th Baronet 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Leveson Baroness Gower 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Leveson-Gower 1st Baron Gower 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Granville 1st Earl Bath
Great x 3 Grandmother: Jane Granville Baroness Gower
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jane Wyche
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Leveson-Gower 1st Earl Gower 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Manners 8th Earl of Rutland 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Manners 1st Duke Rutland 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Montagu Countess Rutland 
10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Manners Baroness Gower 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baptist Noel 3rd Viscount Campden 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Noel Duchess Rutland 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bertie Viscountess Campden 
10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
GrandMother: Evelyn Leveson-Gower Countess Upper Ossory 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Pierrepont of Thoresby 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Pierrepont 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harries aka Harris
Great x 2 Grandfather: Evelyn Pierrepont 1st Duke Kingston upon Hull 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Evelyn of Wiltshire
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Evelyn
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Coxe
Great x 1 Grandmother: Evelyn Pierrepont Baroness Gower 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Feilding 1st Earl Desmond 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Feilding 2nd Earl Desmond 3rd Earl Denbigh 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Bridget Stanhope Countess Desmond 
6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Fielding Countess Kingston upon Hull 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Carey 2nd Earl Monmouth 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Carey Countess Desmond and Denbigh 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Martha Cranfield Countess Monmouth 