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: Craven
On 11th September 1738 William Craven 6th Baron Craven was born to [his father] John Craven of Stanton Lacy.
On 30th May 1767 William Craven 6th Baron Craven (age 28) and Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach (age 16) were married. She the daughter of Augustus Berkeley 4th Earl Berkeley and Elizabeth Drax Countess Berkeley and Nugent (age 47).
On 17th March 1769 [his grandfather] William Craven 5th Baron Craven (age 63) died. His grandson William (age 30) succeeded 6th Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire. [his wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach (age 18) by marriage Baroness Craven of Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire.
On 28th September 1770 [his son] William Craven 1st Earl Craven was born to William Craven 6th Baron Craven (age 32) and [his wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach (age 19). He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. He married 12th December 1807 Louisa Brunton Countess Craven and had issue.
In 1776 [his son] Henry Augustus Berkeley Craven was born to William Craven 6th Baron Craven (age 37) and [his wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach (age 25). He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
In 1779 [his son] Keppel Richard Craven was born to William Craven 6th Baron Craven (age 40) and [his wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach (age 28). He a great x 3 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
In 1780 William Craven 6th Baron Craven (age 41) built Craven Cottage.
Before 1791 Thomas Beach (age 52). Portrait of William Craven 6th Baron Craven (age 52) holding the plans of Benham Park.
On 26th September 1791 William Craven 6th Baron Craven (age 53) died at Lausanne, Switzerland. His son William (age 20) succeeded 7th Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire. His son William succeeded 8th Baron Craven of Hamstead Marshall in Berkshire.
On 13th October 1791 Charles Alexander Hohenzollern Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach (age 55) and [his former wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach (age 40) were married at Lisbon [Map]. She by marriage Margravine Brandenburg-Ansbach. She the daughter of Augustus Berkeley 4th Earl Berkeley and [his former mother-in-law] Elizabeth Drax Countess Berkeley and Nugent (age 71). They were fifth cousins. He a great x 4 grandson of King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
On 13th January 1828 [his former wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach (age 77) died.
[his daughter] Maria Margaret Craven Countess Sefton was born to William Craven 6th Baron Craven and Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. She married 1792 her half fourth cousin William "Lord Dashalong" Molyneux 2nd Earl Sefton, son of Charles Molyneux 1st Earl Sefton and Isabella Stanhope Countess Sefton, and had issue.
[his daughter] Arabella Craven was born to William Craven 6th Baron Craven and Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. She married 6th April 1793 Frederick St John, son of Frederick St John 3rd Viscount St John 2nd Viscount Bolingbroke and Diana Spencer Viscountess St John and Bolingbroke, and had issue.
[his daughter] Elizabeth Craven was born to William Craven 6th Baron Craven and Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. She married John Edward Maddocks.
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.
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[his daughter] Georgiana Craven was born to William Craven 6th Baron Craven and Elizabeth Berkeley Margrave Brandenburg-Ansbach. She a great x 3 granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Craven 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Craven
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Craven 2nd Baron Craven
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Clapham
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Craven
GrandFather: William Craven 5th Baron Craven
Father: John Craven of Stanton Lacy