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Memoires of Jacques du Clercq

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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Derby, Derbyshire, City of Derby, North-Central England, British Isles [Map]

Derby, Derbyshire is in City of Derby.

See: Derby Cathedral [Map], Derventio [Map], Irongate, Derby, King Street, Derby, Queen Street, Derby, St John's Church, Derby [Map].

After 4th January 871 Æthelwulf Mercia Earldorman Berkshire [deceased] was buried at Derby, Derbyshire [Map].

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 917. This year came a great naval armament over hither south from the Lidwiccians;40 and two earls with it, Ohter and Rhoald. They went then west about, till they entered the mouth of the Severn; and plundered in North-Wales everywhere by the sea, where it then suited them; and took Camlac the bishop in Archenfield, and led him with them to their ships; whom King Edward [aged 43] afterwards released for forty pounds. After this went the army all up; and would proceed yet on plunder against Archenfield [Note. South and west Herefordshire]; but the men of Hertford [Note. Probably a mistake for Hereforshire] met them, and of Glocester, and of the nighest towns; and fought with them, and put them to flight; and they slew the Earl Rhoald, and the brother of Ohter the other earl, and many of the army. And they drove them into a park; and beset them there without, until they gave them hostages, that they would depart from the realm of King Edward. And the king had contrived that a guard should be set against them on the south side of Severnmouth; west from Wales, eastward to the mouth of the Avon; so that they durst nowhere seek that land on that side. Nevertheless, they eluded them at night, by stealing up twice; at one time to the east of Watchet, Somerset, and at another time at Porlock, Somerset. There was a great slaughter each time; so that few of them came away, except those only who swam out to the ships. Then sat they outward on an island, called the Flat-holms; till they were very short of meat, and many men died of hunger, because they could not reach any meat. Thence went they to Dimmet [Note. Possibly Braunton, Devon], and then out to Ireland. This was in harvest. After this, in the same year, before Martinmas, went King Edward to Buckingham [Map] with his army, and sat there four weeks, during which he built the two forts on either side of the water, ere he departed thence. And Earl Thurkytel sought him for his lord; and all the captains, and almost all the first men that belonged to Bedford; and also many of those that belonged to Northampton. This year Ethelfleda, lady of the Mercians [aged 47], with the help of God, before Laminas, conquered the town called Derby [Map], with all that thereto belonged; and there were also slain four of her thanes, that were most dear to her, within the gates.

Note 40. The pirates of Armorica, now Bretagne; so called, because they abode day and night in their ships; from lid, a ship, and wiccian, to watch or abide day and night.

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Chronicon ex Chronicis by Florence and John of Worcester. 1st May 1048. There was a great earthquake on Sunday the first of May, at Worcester [Map], Wick, Derby [Map], and many other places. Many districts of England were visited with a mortality among men and cattle; and a fire in the air, commonly called wild-fire, burnt many vills and cornfields in Derbyshire and some other districts. Edmund, bishop of Lindisfarne, died at Gloucester, but was carried by his people to Durham, and buried there. Edred succeeded him, but being struck by the divine vengeance, Ethelric, a monk of Peterborough, was appointed in his stead.

On 25th May 1714 Frances Willoughby Countess Bellomont [aged 71] died in Derby, Derbyshire [Map].

Around 1737 Anne Liddell Duchess Grafton was born to Henry Liddell 1st Baron Ravensworth [aged 29] at Derby, Derbyshire [Map]. She married 1. 29th January 1756 Augustus Henry Fitzroy 3rd Duke Grafton and had issue 2. after 23rd March 1769 John Fitzpatrick 2nd Earl Upper Ossory, son of John Fitzpatrick 1st Earl Upper Ossory and Evelyn Leveson-Gower Countess Upper Ossory, and had issue.

Derventio, Derby, City of Derby, Derbyshire, North-Central England, British Isles [Map]

The Street, Derbyshire is a Roman Road that travels broadly south from Melandra aka Ardotalia [Map] to Wirksworth, Derbyshire [Map] where it joined another road which crossed the Derwent at Milford and ran on the east bank of the Derwent and to Derventio [Map] aka Derby.

For the early stages of the road information had been obtained from P. Wroe and P. Mellor (1971). A Roman Road between Buxton and Melandra Castle, Glossop (Derbyshire Archaeological Journal 1971, Volume 91).

From Melandra aka Ardotalia [Map] the road heads broadly south through Simmondley [Map], Higher Plainsteads Farm [Map], Abbots Chair [Map], Brookhouses, Hayfield [Map], through Little Hayfield, Derbyshire [Map], Bank Vale, Hayfield [Map]. In Hayfield it appears to have followed Kinder Road [Map] until it reached Spring Vale Road [Map] where it could cross the River Sett where the steep river cliff has ended. It continued more or less straight past Highgate Head Farm, Hayfield [Map], Peep o Day [Map] following the A624 until East Meats [Map] where it heads towards Gorsty Low [Map] then Breckend [Map] and Townend [Map]

Irongate, Derby, City of Derby, Derbyshire, North-Central England, British Isles

28 Irongate, Derby, City of Derby, Derbyshire, North-Central England, British Isles [Map]

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Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet

Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.

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On 3rd September 1734 Joseph Wright of Derby was born at 28 Irongate, Derby [Map].

King Street, Derby, City of Derby, Derbyshire, North-Central England, British Isles

St Helen's House King Street, Derby, City of Derby, Derbyshire, North-Central England, British Isles [Map]

On 26th October 1801 Edward Strutt 1st Baron Belper was born to William Strutt [aged 45] at St Helen's House King Street, Derby [Map]. He married 28th March 1837 Amelia Harriet Otter Baroness Belper, daughter of Bishop William Otter, and had issue.

On 20th May 1840 Henry Strutt 2nd Baron Belper was born to Edward Strutt 1st Baron Belper [aged 38] and Amelia Harriet Otter Baroness Belper [aged 23] at St Helen's House King Street, Derby [Map]. He married 2nd May 1874 Margaret Coke Baroness Belper, daughter of Thomas Coke 2nd Earl of Leicester and Juliana Whitbread Countess Leicester, and had issue.

Queen Street, Derby, City of Derby, Derbyshire, North-Central England, British Isles

28 Queen Street, Derby, City of Derby, Derbyshire, North-Central England, British Isles [Map]

On 29th August 1797 Joseph Wright of Derby [aged 62] died at his home 28 Queen Street, Derby [Map].

St John's Church, Derby, City of Derby, Derbyshire, North-Central England, British Isles [Map]

See Churches in Derbyshire.

On 14th September 1826 the foundation stone for St John's Church, Derby [Map] was laid.

Around 1833. Samuel Rayner [aged 26]. "St John's Church, Derby [Map]".