Memoires of Jacques du Clercq

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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Biography of William Hankford 1350-1423

Around 1350 William Hankford was born.

Before 1380 William Hankford [aged 29] and Cristina Unknown were married.

Richard II Travels to Ireland

In October 1394 King Richard II of England [aged 27] travelled to Ireland with William Hankford [aged 44].

In 1413 William Hankford [aged 63] was appointed Chief Justice of the King's Bench.

In 1419 [his son] Richard Hankford died.

In 1423 William Hankford [aged 73] died.

Letters and Papers Foreign and Domestic Henry VIII 1519. 4th April 1519. 160. For Anne Seyntleger [aged 64] [St Leger], widow.

Licence to found a perpetual chantry for one chaplain in the chapel of St. Mary, called "Hangfordis Chapell," in the church of St. George, Monklee, Devon, to pray for the King and Queen, and for the said Anne, Sir George Seyntleger [aged 35], Thomas Seyntleger, clk., and Margaret Boleyn [aged 65], widow, and for the souls of Sir Thomas Ormond, late earl of Ormond, and [his great granddaughter] lady Anne his wife (father and mother of the said Anne Seyntleger), James and John, brothers of the said earl, William Hangford, Richard-Hangford his son, Sir Richard Hangford, son of the said Richard, and James Seyntleger and Ambrose Griseacre, husbands of the said Anne Seyntleger, and James Seyntleger, her son. Also licence to alienate possessions to the annual value of £10 for the said chaplain. Greenwich, 12 March 10 Hen. VIII. Del. Westm., 4 April.

Pat. 10 Hen. VIII. p. 2, m. 32.

[his son] Richard Hankford was born to William Hankford and Cristina Unknown.

[his daughter] Jane Hankford was born to William Hankford and Cristina Unknown. She married Robert Carey and had issue.

Royal Descendants of William Hankford 1350-1423
Number after indicates the number of unique routes of descent. Descendants of Kings and Queens not included.

Queen Anne Boleyn of England [1]

Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence [3]

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom [8]

Queen Consort Camilla Shand [4]

Diana Spencer Princess Wales [23]