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: Murray
Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Boyd 1420-1453
On 6th June 1630 [his father] John Murray 1st Earl Atholl and [his mother] Jean Campbell Countess Atholl were married. She by marriage Countess Atholl. He the son of [his grandfather] William Murray 2nd Earl Tullibardine and [his grandmother] Dorothea Stewart Countess Tullibardine. They were second cousin once removed.
On 2nd May 1631 John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl was born to John Murray 1st Earl Atholl and Jean Campbell Countess Atholl. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.83%.
In June 1642 [his father] John Murray 1st Earl Atholl died. His son John [aged 11] succeeded 2nd Earl Atholl.
On 5th May 1659 John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl [aged 28] and Amelia Stanley Marchioness Atholl [aged 26] were married. She the daughter of James Stanley 7th Earl of Derby and Charlotte Thouars Countess Derby [aged 59]. He the son of John Murray 1st Earl Atholl and Jean Campbell Countess Atholl.
On 24th February 1660 [his son] John Murray 1st Duke Atholl was born to John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl [aged 28] and [his wife] Amelia Stanley Marchioness Atholl [aged 27] at Knowsley Hall, Lancashire. He married (1) before 6th May 1684 his half fourth cousin Catherine Hamilton Duchess Atholl, daughter of William Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton and Anne Hamilton 3rd Duchess Hamilton, and had issue (2) 26th June 1710 Mary Ross Duchess Atholl and had issue.
In 1661 [his son] Charles Murray 1st Earl Dunmore was born to John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl [aged 29].
In 1662 William Wentworth 2nd Earl Strafford [aged 35] was restored 2nd Earl Strafford, 2nd Viscount Wentworth, 2nd Baron Wentworth, 3rd Baronet Wentworth of Wentworth Woodhouse in Yorkshire. [his sister-in-law] Henriette Stanley Countess Strafford [aged 31] by marriage Countess Strafford.
Before 1666 [his brother-in-law] James Murray 2nd Earl Tullibardine [aged 48] and [his sister] Anne Murray Countess Tullibardine were married. She by marriage Countess Tullibardine. She the daughter of [his father] John Murray 1st Earl Atholl and [his mother] Jean Campbell Countess Atholl. He the son of Patrick Murray 1st Earl Tullibardine. They were first cousin once removed.
In 1666 [his sister] Anne Murray Countess Tullibardine died.
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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In January 1670 [his former brother-in-law] James Murray 2nd Earl Tullibardine [aged 52] died. His first cousin once removed John [aged 38] succeeded 3rd Earl Tullibardine.
On 21st December 1672 [his brother-in-law] Charles Stanley 8th Earl of Derby [aged 44] died. His son William [aged 17] succeeded 9th Earl Derby, 3rd Baron Strange Knockin.
On 7th February 1676 John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl [aged 44] was created 1st Marquess Atholl. [his wife] Amelia Stanley Marchioness Atholl [aged 43] by marriage Marchioness Atholl.
Before 6th May 1684 John Murray 1st Duke Atholl [aged 24] and Catherine Hamilton Duchess Atholl [aged 22] were married. She by marriage Duchess Atholl. She the daughter of William Hamilton 1st Duke Hamilton [aged 49] and Anne Hamilton 3rd Duchess Hamilton [aged 52]. He the son of John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl [aged 53] and Amelia Stanley Marchioness Atholl [aged 51]. They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
On 27th December 1685 [his sister-in-law] Henriette Stanley Countess Strafford [aged 55] died. She was buried at York Minster [Map].
On 22nd February 1702 [his wife] Amelia Stanley Marchioness Atholl [aged 69] died.
On 6th May 1703 John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl [aged 72] died. His son John [aged 43] succeeded 2nd Marquess Atholl, 3rd Earl Atholl, 4th Earl Tullibardine. Catherine Hamilton Duchess Atholl [aged 41] by marriage Marchioness Atholl.
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 19 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 23 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 13 Grand Son of Philip V King France I King Navarre
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Murray 
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Murray 1st Earl Tullibardine
GrandFather: William Murray 2nd Earl Tullibardine
Great x 2 Grandfather: David Drummond 2nd Lord Drummond
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Drummond Countess Tullibardine
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ruthven
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Ruthven 2nd Lord Ruthven
Great x 2 Grandmother: Lilias Ruthven
Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Halyburton 4th Lord Dirletoun
Great x 3 Grandmother: Janet Halyburton Lady Dirletoun
Father: John Murray 1st Earl Atholl 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart 2nd Earl Atholl 
3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Stewart 3rd Earl Atholl 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Janet Campbell Countess Atholl 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Stewart 4th Earl Atholl 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Grizzell Ratray Countess Atholl
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Stewart 5th Earl Atholl 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fleming 2nd Lord Fleming 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Malcolm Fleming 3rd Lord Fleming 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eupheme Drummond
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Fleming Countess Atholl 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King James IV of Scotland 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Janet Stewart Lady Fleming 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isobel Stewart 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandMother: Dorothea Stewart Countess Tullibardine 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ruthven 2nd Lord Ruthven
Great x 3 Grandfather: Patrick Ruthven 3rd Lord Ruthven
Great x 4 Grandmother: Janet Halyburton Lady Dirletoun
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Ruthven 1st Earl Gowrie 12 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Archibald Douglas 6th Earl Angus 
10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Janet Douglas 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Ruthven Countess Atholl 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Andrew Stewart 1st Lord Avondale 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Stewart 1st Lord Methven 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Kennedy Lady Avondale 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothea Stewart Countess Gowrie 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart 2nd Earl Atholl 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Janet Stewart 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Janet Campbell Countess Atholl 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
John Murray 1st Marquess Atholl 
7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Colin Campbell 1st of Glenorchy 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Duncan Campbell 2nd of Glenorchy 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Colin Campbell 3rd of Glenorchy 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Colin Campbell of Glenorchy 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James "Black Knight of Lorn" Stewart
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Stewart 1st Earl Atholl 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Queen Consort Scotland 
Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margery Stewart 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Sinclair 3rd Earl Orkney 1st Earl Caithness 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Sinclair Countess Atholl 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Marjory Sutherland Countess Orkney and Caithness
GrandFather: Duncan Campbell 1st Baronet 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Ruthven 1st Lord Ruthven
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Ruthven
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Livingstone
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Ruthven 2nd Lord Ruthven
Great x 1 Grandmother: Catherine Ruthven
Great x 3 Grandfather: Patrick Halyburton 4th Lord Dirletoun
Great x 2 Grandmother: Janet Halyburton Lady Dirletoun
Mother: Jean Campbell Countess Atholl 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Sinclair 2nd Lord Sinclair 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Sinclair 3rd Lord Sinclair 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Christian Leslie Lady Sinclair 
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Sinclair 4th Lord Sinclair 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Adam Hepburn 1st Lord Hailes
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Hepburn
Great x 4 Grandmother: Helen Home Lady Hailes
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Sinclair 5th Lord Sinclair 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandMother: Elizabeth Sinclair 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Patrick Lindsay 4th Lord Lindsay of the Byres 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Lindsay Master of Lindsay 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Lindsay 5th Lord Lindsay of the Byres 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Janet Lindsay 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Stewart 1st Earl Atholl 2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Stewart 2nd Earl Atholl 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Eleanor Sinclair Countess Atholl 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Helen Stewart 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Archibald Campbell 2nd Earl Argyll 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Janet Campbell Countess Atholl 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stewart Countess Argyll 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England