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.
Church of St Mary and St Hardulph, Breedon on the Hill
St Bartholomew's Church, Blore
Holy Trinity Church Ratcliffe on Soar
On 29th December 1595 Frances Berkeley [aged 31] died. She was buried at Church of St Mary and St Hardulph, Breedon on the Hill [Map]. Monument to Frances Berkeley and George Shirley 1st Baronet [aged 36]. The armorial shows 
Shirley Arms and 
Berkeley Arms impaled. Cadaver Underneath. Attributed to Jasper Hollemans.
Frances Berkeley: Around 1564 she was born to Henry Berkeley 7th Baron Berkeley and Katherine Howard Baroness Berkeley. After 21st February 1587 George Shirley 1st Baronet and she were married.
On 9th December 1601 William Bassett [aged 50] died at Blore Hall, Staffordshire. He was buried in St Bartholomew's Church, Blore [Map]. His two year old daughter Elizabeth Bassett [aged 9] inherited his wealth; she married, firstly, Henry Howard [aged 9] and, secondly, William Cavendish [aged 9], subsequently Earl of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and after her death, Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The Bassett Tomb at St Bartholomew's Church, Blore [Map]. William Bassett (centre), his wife Judith Corbet (his left), Henry Howard (his right) and kneeling Catharine aka Elizabeth Howard and Elizabeth Bassett Countess Newcastle upon Tyne. Sculpted by Jasper Hollemans. Elizabethan Period.
Henry Howard: In 1592 he was born to Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk in Henley In Arden, Warwickshire. Before 1616 Henry Howard and Elizabeth Bassett Countess Newcastle upon Tyne were married. He the son of Thomas Howard 1st Earl Suffolk and Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk. Around 1616 Henry Howard died 'at his country house' [Blore Hall, Staffordshire?] at breakfast 'suddenly at the table without speaking one word'. He was buried at St Bartholomew's Church, Blore [Map].
On 17th January 1625 Henry Sacheverell [aged 59] died. He was buried at Holy Trinity Church Ratcliffe on Soar [Map].
Dutch School mural monument with his three wives (Marie Giddings wearing Bongrace, Elizabeth Copley and Lucie Boughton [aged 55]) above and he recumbent. Below effigies of children including Chrisom Child. Possibly Jasper Hollemans or Nicholas Stone [aged 38].
Henry Sacheverell: In 1566 he was born to Henry Sacheverell and Jane Ireton at Morley, Derbyshire [Map]. Before 27th October 1600 Henry Sacheverell and Marie Giddings were married. Before 13th May 1616 Henry Sacheverell and Elizabeth Copley were married. On 13th September 1618 Henry Sacheverell and Lucie Boughton were married at Newbold on Avon, Warwickshire.
Marie Giddings: she was born to Robert Giddings. On 27th October 1600 she died.
Elizabeth Copley: On 13th May 1616 she died.
