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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Paternal Family Tree: Fitzgerald
Maternal Family Tree: Catherine Fenton Countess Cork 1585-1629
On 15th August 1630 [his father] George "Fairy Earl" Fitzgerald 16th Earl of Kildare (age 18) and [his mother] Joan Boyle Countess Kildare (age 19) were married. She the daughter of [his grandfather] Richard Boyle 1st Earl Cork (age 63) and [his grandmother] Catherine Fenton Countess Cork.
In 1634 Wentworth Fitzgerald 17th Earl of Kildare was born to [his father] George "Fairy Earl" Fitzgerald 16th Earl of Kildare (age 21) and [his mother] Joan Boyle Countess Kildare (age 23).
Around 1655 Wentworth Fitzgerald 17th Earl of Kildare (age 21) and Elizabeth Holles Countess Kildare were married. She the daughter of John Holles 2nd Earl de Clare (age 59) and Elizabeth Vere Countess Clare. He the son of George "Fairy Earl" Fitzgerald 16th Earl of Kildare (age 42) and Joan Boyle Countess Kildare (age 44).
In 1657 [his mother] Joan Boyle Countess Kildare (age 46) died.
In April 1660 Wentworth Fitzgerald 17th Earl of Kildare (age 26) was elected MP East Retford during the Convention Parliament.
On 29th May 1660 [his father] George "Fairy Earl" Fitzgerald 16th Earl of Kildare (age 48) died. His son Wentworth (age 26) succeeded 17th Earl Kildare. [his wife] Elizabeth Holles Countess Kildare by marriage Countess Kildare.
In 1661 [his son] John Fitzgerald 18th Earl of Kildare was born to Wentworth Fitzgerald 17th Earl of Kildare (age 27) and [his wife] Elizabeth Holles Countess Kildare. He married (1) before 1683 his third cousin twice removed Mary O'Brien Countess Kildare (2) 12th June 1684 his second cousin Elizabeth Jones Countess Kildare, daughter of Richard Jones 1st Earl Ranelagh and Elizabeth Willoughby Countess Ranelagh.
On 5th March 1664 Wentworth Fitzgerald 17th Earl of Kildare (age 30) died. His son John (age 3) succeeded 18th Earl Kildare.
John Evelyn's Diary. 25th May 1681. There came to visit me Sir William Walter and Sir John Elowes: and the next day, the Earl of Kildare, a young gentleman related to my wife (age 46), and other company. There had scarce fallen any rain since Christmas.
[his daughter] Anne Fitzgerald was born to Wentworth Fitzgerald 17th Earl of Kildare and Elizabeth Holles Countess Kildare. She married before 3rd February 1718 her fourth cousin twice removed Francis Robartes, son of John Robartes 1st Earl Radnor and Letitia Isabella Smythe Countess Radnor, and had issue.
Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 17 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 13 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 15 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzgerald 6th Earl of Kildare 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Fitzgerald 7th Earl of Kildare
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Herne Countess Kildare
Great x 2 Grandfather: Gerald Fitzgerald 8th Earl of Kildare
Great x 1 Grandfather: Gerald Fitzgerald 9th Earl of Kildare
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward FitzEustace of Castlemartin in County Kildare
Great x 3 Grandfather: Rowland Fitzeustace 1st Baron Portlester
Great x 2 Grandmother: Alice Fitzeustace Countess Kildare
GrandFather: Edward Fitzgerald 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Grey Baron Ferrers of Groby 
6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Grey 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ferrers 6th Baroness Ferrers Groby 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Grey 1st Marquess Dorset 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Woodville Queen Consort England 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Jacquetta of Luxemburg Duchess Bedford 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey Countess Kildare 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Bonville 
5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bonville 6th Baron Harington 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Harrington 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Cecily Bonville Marchioness Dorset 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Neville Earl Salisbury Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Neville Baroness Bonville and Hastings 
2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Alice Montagu 5th Countess of Salisbury 
3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Father: George "Fairy Earl" Fitzgerald 16th Earl of Kildare 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Wentworth Fitzgerald 17th Earl of Kildare 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Richard Boyle 1st Earl Cork 
Mother: Joan Boyle Countess Kildare
Great x 2 Grandfather: Henry Fenton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Geoffrey Fenton
GrandMother: Catherine Fenton Countess Cork