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: Harcourt
In December 1661 Simon Harcourt 1st Viscount Harcourt was born to [his father] Philip Harcourt [aged 24] in Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire [Map].
On 9th October 1684 [his son] Simon Harcourt was born to Simon Harcourt 1st Viscount Harcourt [aged 22]. He married 21st July 1709 Elizabeth Evelyn and had issue.
On 20th March 1688 [his father] Philip Harcourt [aged 51] died at Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 8th July 1701. My grandson [aged 19] went to Sir Simon Harcourt [aged 39], the Solicitor General, to Windsor, Berkshire [Map], to wait on my Lord Treasurer. There had been for some time a proposal of marrying my grandson to a daughter [aged 26] of Mrs. Boscawen [aged 58], sister of my Lord Treasurer [aged 56], which was now far advanced.
On 21st July 1709 [his son] Simon Harcourt [aged 24] and [his daughter-in-law] Elizabeth Evelyn were married.
On 1st July 1720 [his son] Simon Harcourt [aged 35] died at Paris [Map].
In 1721 Simon Harcourt 1st Viscount Harcourt [aged 59] was created 1st Viscount Harcourt of Stanton Harcourt in Oxfordshire.
In or before 1722 John Walter 3rd Baronet [aged 47] and [his future wife] Elizabeth Vernon Viscountess Harcourt [aged 25] were married. The difference in their ages was 22 years.
On 30th September 1724 Simon Harcourt 1st Viscount Harcourt [aged 62] and Elizabeth Vernon Viscountess Harcourt [aged 28] were married. She by marriage Viscountess Harcourt of Stanton Harcourt in Oxfordshire. The difference in their ages was 34 years.
Before 1727. Christian Fredericke Zincke [aged 43]. Miniature portrait of Simon Harcourt 1st Viscount Harcourt [aged 65].
On 23rd July 1727 Simon Harcourt 1st Viscount Harcourt [aged 65] died. Some sources say 28 Dec 1727. His grandson Simon [aged 13] succeeded 2nd Viscount Harcourt of Stanton Harcourt in Oxfordshire.
In 1748 [his former wife] Elizabeth Vernon Viscountess Harcourt [aged 52] died.
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.
The 1717 Indemnity Act freed a large number of prisoners including hundreds of Jacobite supporters of which some two hundred had been captured at the 1715 Battle of Preston. The Act didn't under attainders or restore lands. Those released included:
William Murray 2nd Lord Nairne.
Robert Dalzell 5th Earl of Carnwath 1687-1737.
William Widdrington 4th Baron Widdrington.
There were exemptions including:
Matthew Prior Poet 1664-1721.
Robert Harley 1st Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer.
Simon Harcourt 1st Viscount Harcourt.
Thomas Harley of Kinsham Court 1667-1738.
All members of the Clan McGregor including Rob Roy MacGregor.
Kings Wessex: Great x 20 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 25 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ab Owain King Deheubarth King Powys King Gwynedd
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 21 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 25 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Simon Harcourt 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Simon Harcourt 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Walter Harcourt 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Mary Aston
Great x 1 Grandfather: Robert Harcourt 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
GrandFather: Simon Harcourt 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Father: Philip Harcourt 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Simon Harcourt 1st Viscount Harcourt 15 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England