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: Baker
In 1610 Aaron Baker was born to [his father] Unknown Baker in the parish of Alphington, near Exeter, Devon.
Before 1652 Aaron Baker (age 41) and Elizabeth Unknown were married.
In 1652 Aaron Baker (age 42) was appointed the first President of the Madras Presidency aka Fort George which office he held until 1655.
In 1652 [his wife] Elizabeth Unknown died in childbirth at sea en route to join her husband Aaron Baker (age 42) in India. She has the oldest tombstone in India at St. Mary's in the Fort Church in Madras [Formerly known as Fort George, now known as Chennai].
In 1669 Aaron Baker (age 59) commissioned the rebuilding of the north chancel aisle of St Michael's Church, Dunchideock.
On 27th July 1672 Aaron Baker (age 62) and Mary Rowe were married at St Michael's Church, Dunchideock.
On 28th October 1683 Aaron Baker (age 73) died. He was buried at St Michael's Church, Dunchideock where he has a mural monument with the inscription:
This monument is placed and sacred to the pious memory of Aaron Baker of Bowhay, Esquire, embalmed below, who during the space of twenty years was President of Bantum in the East Indies. He erected at his own noble expense part of this building. He was born in Alphington in this county; he died on the 28 day of October in the year of the Word Incarnate 1683, of his age 73
Positum et sacratum est hoc monumentum piae memoriae Aaronis Baker de Bowhay Armigeri infra conditi qui viginti annorum spacio praeses fuit Bantum Indiis Orientalibus. Huius aedificii partem sum(p)tu suo proprio generoso erexit. Natus Alphinton hoc comitatu; obiit die 28 Octobris An(n)o Verbi Incarnati 1683 aetatis suae 73.