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: Fitzherbert of Tissington
On 29th December 1709 [his father] William Fitzherbert (age 38) and [his mother] Rachel Bagshaw were married at All Saint's Church, Bakewell, Derbyshire [Map].
In 1712 William Fitzherbert was born to [his father] William Fitzherbert (age 41) and [his mother] Rachel Bagshaw.
In 1739 [his father] William Fitzherbert (age 68) died.
On 23rd June 1744 William Fitzherbert (age 32) and Mary Meynell (age 23) were married at Somersal Herbert, Derbyshire.
On 27th May 1748 [his son] William Fitzherbert 1st Baronet was born to William Fitzherbert (age 36) and [his wife] Mary Meynell (age 27). He married 14th October 1777 Sarah Perrin and had issue.
On 1st March 1753 [his son] Alleyne Fitzherbert 1st Baron St Helens was born to William Fitzherbert (age 41).
On 12th March 1753 [his wife] Mary Meynell (age 32) died. Memorial at St Mary's Church, Tissington [Map].
Mary Meynell: Around 1721 she was born to Littleton Pointz Meynell. On 23rd June 1744 William Fitzherbert and she were married at Somersal Herbert, Derbyshire.
n 1761 William Fitzherbert (age 49) was elected MP Bramber which seat he held until April 1762.
On 5th May 1762 William Fitzherbert (age 50) was elected MP Derbyshire which seat he held util his death in 1772.
On or before 22nd August 1763, the date she was buried at St Mary's Church, Tissington [Map], [his mother] Rachel Bagshaw died.
On 2nd January 1772 William Fitzherbert (age 60) committed suicide due to pecuniary troubles. Memorial at St Mary's Church, Tissington [Map] where he was buried.
Letters of Horace Walpole. Arlington Street, Jan. 5, 1772.
Nothing but disasters, Madam, since my last. Poor Mr. Fitzherbert (deceased) hanged himself, on Wednesday. He went to see the convicts executed, that morning; and from thence, in his boots, to his son, having sent his groom out of the way. At three, his son said Sir, you are to dine at Mr. Buller's; it is time for you to go home and dress. He went to his own stable and hanged himself with a bridle. They say his circumstances were in great disorder. There have been deep doings at Almack's, but no body has retired into a stable. This paragraph, possibly, may be as old when you receive it, as if it was in the magazine, for my letter will not set out till Thursday, as I cannot yet tell you the whole of a tragedy that happened to myself this very morning— don't be frightened. Madam, I am not wind-bound on the banks of Styx, and waiting to send back my letter by Charon.
Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 19 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 27 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 20 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 24 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Fitzherbert 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Francis Fitzherbert
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Fitzherbert 15 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cotes 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cotes 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Fitzherbert 16 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Bullock
GrandFather: Anthony Fitzherbert 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Fitzherbert of Hamstall Ridware 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Fitzherbert 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Maud aka Matilda Cotton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Anthony Fitzherbert 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Fleetwood 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Fleetwood
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Fitzherbert of Norbury 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Father: William Fitzherbert 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
William Fitzherbert 15 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Mother: Rachel Bagshaw