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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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John Germain 1st Baronet 1650-1718

Around May 1650 John Germain 1st Baronet was born. His paternity the subject of speculation with some believing he was the illegitimate son of William Orange Nassau II Prince Orange [aged 23].

On 8th August 1677 Henry Howard 7th Duke of Norfolk [aged 22] and [his future wife] Mary Mordaunt Duchess Norfolk [aged 18] were married. She the daughter of Henry Mordaunt 2nd Earl Peterborough [aged 55] and [his future mother-in-law] Penelope O'Brien Countess Peterborough [aged 55]. He the son of Henry Howard 6th Duke of Norfolk [aged 49] and Anne Somerset Countess Norfolk. They were third cousin twice removed.

Around 28th February 1692 Henry Howard 7th Duke of Norfolk [aged 37] failed in his attempt to divorce his wife Mary Mordaunt Duchess Norfolk [aged 33] for her adultery with John Germain 1st Baronet [aged 41].

On 25th March 1698 John Germain 1st Baronet [aged 47] was created 1st Baronet Germain of Westminster.

State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason. The Proceedings in Parliament upon the Bill of Divorce between his Grace the Duke of Norfolk [aged 45] and the Lady Mary Mordaunt [aged 41]: 12 William III A.D. 1700.

Proceedings in the House Of Lords, February 15, 1700.

Upon reading the Petition of Henry duke of Norfolk, praying leave to bring in a bill to dissolve his marriage with the lady Mary Mordant, and to enable him to marry again, he having certain proof of his wife's living in adultery with sir John Germaine [aged 49]: it is ordered, that the said Petition be taken into consideration to-morrow.

State Trials and Proceedings for High Treason. 25th March 1700. And then the Counsel withdrew, and the Committee proceeded upon the Bill clause by clause, and went throug it, and ordered the same to be reported; which was done accordingly; upon which the Bill passed.

Note 1. Henry Howard 7th Duke of Norfolk [aged 45] and [his future wife] Mary Mordaunt Duchess Norfolk [aged 41] were divorced. She married John Germain 1st Baronet [aged 49] a year later.

John Evelyn's Diary. 1st April 1700. The Duke of Norfolk [aged 45] now succeeded in obtaining a divorce from his [his future wife] wife [aged 41] by the Parliament for adultery with Sir John Germaine [aged 49], a Dutch gamester, of mean extraction, who had got much by gaming; the Duke had leave to marry again, so that if he should have children, the Dukedom will go from the late Lord Thomas's children, Papists indeed, but very hopeful and virtuous gentlemen, as was their father. The now Duke their uncle is a Protestant.

On 15th September 1701 John Germain 1st Baronet [aged 51] and Mary Mordaunt Duchess Norfolk [aged 42] were married. She by marriage Lady Germain of Westminster. She the daughter of Henry Mordaunt 2nd Earl Peterborough and Penelope O'Brien Countess Peterborough [aged 79].

On 17th November 1705 [his wife] Mary Mordaunt Duchess Norfolk [aged 46] died. Her first cousin Charles [aged 47] succeeded 8th Baron Mordaunt. Her husband John Germain 1st Baronet [aged 55] inherited her Drayton estates and the rest of her inheritance, valued at £70,000.

On 15th September 1706 John Germain 1st Baronet [aged 56] and Elizabeth Berkeley Lady Germain were married. She brought £6000 to the marriage. She the daughter of Charles Berkeley 2nd Earl Berkeley [aged 57] and Elizabeth Noel Countess Berkeley [aged 52].

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Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough

A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'

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On 13th February 1711 [his brother-in-law] James Berkeley 3rd Earl Berkeley [aged 31] and Louisa Lennox Countess Berkeley [aged 16] were married. She by marriage Countess Berkeley. She the daughter of Charles Lennox 1st Duke Richmond [aged 38] and Anne Brudenell Duchess Richmond [aged 40]. He the son of [his father-in-law] Charles Berkeley 2nd Earl Berkeley and [his mother-in-law] Elizabeth Noel Countess Berkeley [aged 57]. They were sixth cousins. She a granddaughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland.

In 1713 John Germain 1st Baronet [aged 62] was elected MP Morpeth.

On 22nd April 1717 John Germain 1st Baronet [aged 66] was elected MP Totnes.

On 11th December 1718 John Germain 1st Baronet [aged 68] died. Baronet Germain of Westminster extinct. His wife survived him until 1769 when she left his and her etates to George Sackville aka Germain 1st Viscount Sackville [aged 2] who adopted the surname Germain.

On 16th September 1769 [his former wife] Elizabeth Berkeley Lady Germain died.