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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Samuel Pepys' Diary. 25th December 1664. Thence to the French church, but coming too late I returned and to Mr. Rawlinson's [aged 50] church, where I heard a good sermon of one that I remember was at Paul's with me, his name Maggett; and very great store of fine women there is in this church, more than I know anywhere else about us.
John Evelyn's Diary. 4th July 1666. The solemn Fast-day. Dr. Meggot preached an excellent discourse before the King [aged 36] on the terrors of God's judgments. After sermon, I waited on my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury [aged 49] and Bishop of Winchester [aged 47], where the Dean of Westminster [aged 31] spoke to me about putting into my hands the disposal of fifty pounds, which the charitable people of Oxford had sent to be distributed among the sick and wounded seamen since the battle. Hence, I went to the Lord Chancellor's [aged 57] to joy him of his Royal Highness's [aged 32] second son, now born at St. James's [Map]; and to desire the use of the Star-chamber for our Commissioners to meet in, Painters' Hall, Queenhithe not being so convenient.
In 1677 Richard Meggot was appointed Canon Chapel Royal Windsor.
In 1679 Richard Meggot was appointed Dean of Winchester.
John Evelyn's Diary. 7th March 1684. Dr. Meggot, Deane of Winchester, preached an incomparable sermon, (the King [aged 53] being now gone to Newmarket,) on 12 Heb. 15. shewing and pathetically pressing the care we ought to have least we come short of the grace of God. Afterwards I went to visite Dr. Tenison [aged 47] at Kensington, whither he was retired to refresh after he had ben sick of the smallpox.
John Evelyn's Diary. 16th September 1685. The next morning setting out early, we ariv'd soon enough at Winchester [Map] to waite on the King [aged 51], who was lodg'd at the Dean's (Dr. Meggot). I found very few with him besides my Lords Feversham [aged 44], Arran [Note. Not clear which Earl of Arran], Newport [aged 65], and the Bishop of Bath and Wells [aged 48]. His Ma* was discoursing with the Bishops concerning miracles, and what strange things the Saludadors would do in Spaine, as by creeping into heated ovens without hurt, and that they had a black crosse in the roofe of their mouthes, but yet were commonly notorious and profane wretches; upon which his Majesty further said, that he was so extreamly difficult of miracles, for feare of being impos'd upon, that if he should chance to see one himselfe, without some other witness, he should apprehend it a delusion of his senses. Then they spake of ye boy who was pretended to have a wanting leg restor'd him, so confidently asserted by Fr. de Sta Clara and others. To all which the Bishop added a greate miracle happening In Winchester to his certaine knowledge, of a poor miserably sick and decrepit child (as I remember long kept unbaptiz'd), who immediately on his baptism recover'd; as also of ye salutary effect of K. Charles his Ma*s father's blood, in healing one that was blind.
John Evelyn's Diary. 8th July 1686. Dr. Meggot, Dean of Winchester preached before the household in St. George's Chapel [Map] at Windsor, the late King's glorious chapel now seized on by the mass priests. Dr. Cartwright [aged 52], Dean of Ripon, preached before the great men of the Court in the same place.
John Evelyn's Diary. 3rd March 1687. Dr. Meggott, Dean of Winchester, preached before the Princess of Denmark [aged 22], on Matt. xiv. 23. In the afternoon, I went out of town to meet my Lord Clarendon, returning from Ireland.
On 7th December 1692 Richard Meggot died.