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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Niece is in Great Nephew and Niece.
On 13th February 1067 Geoffrey Arles 2nd Count Provence Count Forcalquier died. His niece Adelaide succeeded Countess Forcalquier.
On 1st February 1328 Charles IV King France I King Navarre [aged 33] died. On 1st April 1328 His first cousin Philip [aged 34] succeeded VI King France: Capet Valois. The succession somewhat complicated by Charles' wife Blanche of Burgundy Queen Consort France being pregnant. The child Blanche Capet was born two months later on 1st April 1328. A girl child therefore excluded from the succession confirming Philip's as King. Charles the last of the House of Capet. Philip the first of the House of Valois. His niece Joan [aged 16] succeeded II Queen Navarre. Her husband Philip "Noble" III King Navarre [aged 21] by marriage III King Navarre.
On 30th April 1341 John III Duke Brittany [aged 55] died at Caen [Map]. Earl Richmond suspended. The succession of the Duchy of Brittany was disputed between Joan "Lame" Capet Countess Penthièvre [aged 22] and John Montfort IV Duke Brittany [aged 46] leading to the War of the Breton Succession. His niece Joan succeeded Duchess Brittany 1221 Dreux. Charles of Blois Duke Brittany [aged 22] by marriage Duke Brittany 1221 Dreux. His half brother John succeeded IV Duke Brittany 1221 Dreux. Joanna of Flanders Duchess Brittany [aged 46] by marriage Duchess Brittany 1221 Dreux.
In 1381 Gilbert Umfraville 9th Earl Angus [aged 71] died. His niece Eleanor succeeded 4th Baroness Kyme. Henry Tailboys Baron Kyme by marriage Baron Kyme.
On 12th September 1651 William Hamilton 2nd Duke Hamilton [aged 34] died from wounds received at the Battle of Worcester. His niece Anne [aged 19], daughter of the 1st Duke, succeeded 3rd Duchess Hamilton. Earl Cambridge, Baron Innerdale extinct.
On 21st July 1723 Anthony Grey 3rd Baron Lucas [aged 28] died by choking on an ear of barley the beard of which stuck in his throat. Monument at the De Grey Mausoleum, St John the Baptist Church, Flitton [Map]. His niece Jemima succeeded 4th Baroness Lucas of Crudwell.
Anthony Grey 3rd Baron Lucas: On 21st February 1695 he was born to Henry Grey 1st Duke Kent and Jemima Crew Marchioness Kent. On 17th February 1718 Anthony Grey 3rd Baron Lucas and Mary Tufton Countess Gower were married. She the daughter of Thomas Tufton 6th Earl of Thanet and Catherine Cavendish Countess Isle Thanet. He the son of Henry Grey 1st Duke Kent and Jemima Crew Marchioness Kent. They were sixth cousins. On 8th November 1718 Anthony Grey 3rd Baron Lucas by writ of acceleration 3rd Baron Lucas of Crudwell.
On 1st April 1762 John Paul Stafford-Howard 4th Earl Stafford [aged 61] died without issue. Earl Stafford extinct.His niece Anatasia [aged 40] de jure 6th Baroness Stafford.
On 20th June 1837 King William IV of the United Kingdom [aged 71] died at Windsor Castle [Map]. His niece Victoria [aged 18] succeeded I Queen Great Britain and Ireland. His brother Ernest [aged 66] succeeded King Hanover. Frederica Mecklenburg Strelitz Queen Consort Hanover [aged 59] by marriage Queen Consort Hanover.
At 5am Francis Nathaniel Conyngham 2nd Marquess Conyngham [aged 40] and Archbishop William Howley [aged 71] went to Kensington Palace to inform the Princess she was now Queen. Francis Nathaniel Conyngham 2nd Marquess Conyngham was the first to address her as 'Your Majesty'.
On 27th June 1871 Henry Wilson 11th Baron Berners [aged 74] died. His niece Emma [aged 35] succeeded 12th Baroness Berners. Henry Thomas Tyrwhitt-Jones 3rd Baronet [aged 47] by marriage Baron Berners.
On 27th August 1881 Thomas Moreton FitzHardinge Berkeley 6th Earl of Berkeley [aged 84] died. His first cousin once removed George [aged 54] de jure 7th Earl Berkeley, 7th Viscount Dursley. He never claimed or established his right to either title. His niece Louisa [aged 41] succeeded 15th Baroness Berkeley.
On 17th May 1920 Charles Rawdon-Hastings 11th Earl Loudon [aged 65] died. Baron Botreaux, Baron Hungerford, Baron Moleyns and Baron Hastings abeyant. His niece Edith [aged 37] succeeded 12th Countess Loudon. His brother Gilbert [aged 60] succeeded 3rd Baron Donington of Dongington Park in Leicestershire.
On 1st February 1963 George Sutherland-Leveson-Gower 5th Duke of Sutherland [aged 74] died. His third cousin once removed John [aged 47] succeeded 6th Duke Sutherland, 6th Marquess Stafford, 8th Earl Gower, 9th Baron Gower, 13th Baronet Gower of Stittenham in Yorkshire. Diana Evelyn Percy [aged 45] by marriage Duchess Sutherland.His niece Elizabeth [aged 41] succeeded 24th Countess Sutherland.
