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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Earl Darlington is in Earldoms of England Alphabetically, Earldoms of England Chronologically, Extinct Earldoms of England.
Summary
1754. Henry Vane 1st Earl Darlington (age 49) created.
6th March 1758. Son Henry Vane 2nd Earl Darlington (age 31) succeeded.
10th September 1792. Son William Henry Vane 1st Duke Cleveland (age 26) succeeded.
28th January 1842. Son Henry Vane 2nd Duke Cleveland (age 54) succeeded.
18th January 1864. Brother William Vane 3rd Duke Cleveland (age 71) succeeded.
6th September 1864. Brother Harry George Powlett 4th Duke Cleveland (age 61) succeeded.
21st August 1891. Harry George Powlett 4th Duke Cleveland extinct.
In 1754 Henry Vane 1st Earl Darlington (age 49) was created 1st Earl Darlington, 1st Viscount Barnard. Grace Fitzroy Countess Darlington (age 56) by marriage Countess Darlington.
On 6th March 1758 Henry Vane 1st Earl Darlington (age 53) died. His son Henry (age 31) succeeded 2nd Earl Darlington, 2nd Viscount Barnard, 4th Baron Barnard. Margaret Lowther Countess Darlington (age 30) by marriage Countess Darlington.
On 10th September 1792 Henry Vane 2nd Earl Darlington (age 65) died at Raby Castle, County Durham [Map]. He was buried at Raby Castle, County Durham [Map]. His son William (age 26) succeeded 3rd Earl Darlington, 3rd Viscount Barnard, 5th Baron Barnard. Catharine Margaret Powlett Countess Darlington (age 26) by marriage Countess Darlington.
Monument to Henry Vane 2nd Earl Darlington at St Mary's Church, Staindrop [Map] sculpted by Richard Cooke.
The armorial being 
Vane Arms impaled with 
Lowther Arms.
Catharine Margaret Powlett Countess Darlington: In 1766 she was born to Harry Powlett 6th Duke Bolton and Katherine Lowther Duchess of Bolton. On 17th September 1787 William Henry Vane 1st Duke Cleveland and she were married at her father's seat Hackwood Park, Hampshire. She the daughter of Harry Powlett 6th Duke Bolton and Katherine Lowther Duchess of Bolton. He the son of Henry Vane 2nd Earl Darlington and Margaret Lowther Countess Darlington. They were first cousins. He a great x 2 grandson of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland. On 17th June 1807 Catharine Margaret Powlett Countess Darlington died at Cleveland House.
On 28th January 1842 William Henry Vane 1st Duke Cleveland (age 75) died. He was buried at St Mary's Church, Staindrop [Map]. His son Henry (age 54) succeeded 2nd Duke of Cleveland, 2nd Marquess of Cleveland, 4th Earl Darlington, 4th Viscount Barnard, 6th Baron Barnard, 2nd Baron Raby of Raby Castle in County Durham. Sophia Paulett Duchess of Cleveland (age 56) by marriage Duchess of Cleveland.
On 18th January 1864 Henry Vane 2nd Duke Cleveland (age 76) died at the parish of St George's Church, Hanover Square. His brother William (age 71) succeeded 3rd Duke of Cleveland, 3rd Marquess of Cleveland, 5th Earl Darlington, 5th Viscount Barnard, 7th Baron Barnard, 3rd Baron Raby of Raby Castle in County Durham. Grace Caroline Lowther Duchess of Cleveland by marriage Duchess of Cleveland.
On 6th September 1864 William Vane 3rd Duke Cleveland (age 72) died. His brother Harry (age 61) succeeded 4th Duke of Cleveland, 4th Marquess of Cleveland, 6th Earl Darlington, 6th Viscount Barnard, 8th Baron Barnard, 4th Baron Raby of Raby Castle in County Durham. Catherine Lucy Wilhelmina Stanhope Duchess of Cleveland (age 45) by marriage Duchess of Cleveland.
On 21st August 1891 Harry George Powlett 4th Duke Cleveland (age 88) died at Cleveland House, 16 St James' Square, St James'. Duke of Cleveland, Marquess of Cleveland, Earl Darlington and Viscount Barnard, Baron Raby of Raby Castle in County Durham extinct.
Henry de Vere Vane 9th Baron Barnard (age 37) succeeded 9th Baron Barnard. Catherine Sarah Cecil Baroness Barnard (age 30) by marriage Baroness Barnard.