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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Arthur's Stone Burial Chamber is in Gower Peninsula Glamorganshire, Prehistoric Wales Neolithic Burials.
Arthur's Stone [Map] is a Neolithic Burial Chamber. Also known as Maen Ceti.
Wales Illustrated North Wales. Arthur's Stone Burial Chamber [Map].
Archaeologia Volume 23 1831 Appendix. "Arthur's Stone [Map]," a Cromlech in the district of Gower. January 27, 1831. Extract of a Letter from Alfred John Kempe, Esq. F.S.A. to Henry Ellis, Esq. Secretary.
Archaeologia Cambrensis 1870 Page 23. Avenue and Carns about Arthur's Stone [Map] in Gower.
If the Greeks recorded the "wonders of the world" in their time, under the mystical number seven, four of which might be claimed as their own, the Cymry1 have also recorded the wonders and mighty labours of the Britons in one of their Triads, under their favourite, and equally mystical, number three; namely, 1, raising the Maen Cetti; 2, erecting the work of Emrys; and, 3, heaping the pile, or mound, of Cyvrangon. The first of these is the stone of Cetti, or "Arthur's Stone2;" the second, Stonehenge; and the third, apparently, the mound called Silbury Hill [Map], near Abury. But as the first is the only one connected with the inquiry I propose to make, my remarks will be confined to it, and to the avenue and the earns in its immediate vicinity.
Note 1. A question has lately been raised respecting this name by which the " Welsh" call themselves; but it is well known that Gymro "Welshman", or properly Cym-bro (from bro, "native land") signifies "of the same country", a "fellow countryman", or "compatriot"; as All-fro (a mutation of All-bro) means "of another country", or "a foreigner": hence Allobroges. And Eichard of Cirencester (b. i, c. 6, 12) says " all the Belgas are Allobroges, or foreigners", which of course they were to the Britons. All is related to aλλos, and alius, of two cognate languages; as Cym answers to cum, com, or con. Cymry and Cimbri are the same word under different forms; and we may remember how often m and mb are interchanged. The words related to Cymro, as Cymraig and others, are well known.
Note 2. Not called "Arthur's Quoit" by the people of the country, as some suppose.
Swansea Scientific Society. CEFN BRYN
Col. Morgan and Mr. Glascodine Make A Discovery.
So much has been said and written about Arthur's Stone [Map], that stands sentinel like on the lonely top of Cefn Bryn, and so many antiquarians have speculated upon its origin and history, that one was apt to look upon the excursion, on August 29th, of the Swansea Scientific Society as a pleasure- able rather than investigative one. A happy discovery on the part of Col. Morgan and Mr. C. H. Glascodine made it both. The members of the Society left the Royal Institution of South Wales at 2 o'clock in coaches supplied by Mr. J. H. Rosser.