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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Paternal Family Tree: Spencer
Maternal Family Tree: Louisa Molesworth Countess Fitzwilliam 1749-1824
On 23rd July 1887 [his father] Charles Robert Spencer 6th Earl Spencer [aged 29] and [his mother] Margaret Baring Countess Spencer were married at St James' Church, Piccadilly. He the son of [his grandfather] Frederick Spencer 4th Earl Spencer and [his grandmother] Adelaide Horatia Seymour-Conway Countess Spencer.
On 23rd May 1892 Albert Edward John Spencer 7th Earl Spencer was born to Charles Robert Spencer 6th Earl Spencer [aged 34] and Margaret Baring Countess Spencer.
In 1910 [his uncle] John Poyntz Spencer 5th Earl Spencer [aged 75] died. His half brother [his father] Charles [aged 52] succeeded 6th Earl Spencer, 6th Viscount Althorp, 6th Viscount Spencer, 6th Baron Spencer Althorp. [his mother] Margaret Baring Countess Spencer by marriage Countess Spencer.
1911. Unknown Photographer. Albert Edward John Spencer 7th Earl Spencer [aged 18] on his horse "Maybury" in front of Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map].
Evening Standard. Mon, 16 Jun 1913 LATE EARL OF LEVEN AND MELVILLE.
The funeral of the Earl of Leven and Melville [John Leslie-Melville 12th Earl of Leven 11th Earl of Melville [deceased]], who died last week in London from injuries received in an accident in the hunting field, took place in Scotland to-day. A memorial service was held at St. Mary's Church, Bryanston-square, W., this afternoon. Among the congregation were the Duke and Duchess of Somerset, the Marchioness of Salisbury and Lady Beatrice Ormsby-Gore [aged 21], the Countess of Strathmore [aged 50] and Lady Rose Bowes-Lyon [aged 23], the Countess of Desart [aged 59], Countess Waldegrave [aged 63], the Countess of Dartrey [aged 51], the Earl [aged 61] and Countess [aged 59] of Verulam, Viscount Althorp [aged 21] and Lady [his brother] Adelaide Spencer [aged 24], Viscount De Vesci [aged 31], Captain and Lady Nina Balfour, the Dowager Lady Leaconfield, Viscount Maidstone, and Lord Reay.
On 26th February 1919 Albert Edward John Spencer 7th Earl Spencer [aged 26] and Cynthia Elinor Beatrix Hamilton Countess Spencer [aged 22] were married. She the daughter of James Albert Edward Hamilton 3rd Duke of Abercorn [aged 49] and Rosalind Cecilia Caroline Bingham Duchess Abercorn [aged 50]. He the son of Charles Robert Spencer 6th Earl Spencer [aged 61] and Margaret Baring Countess Spencer. They were third cousin once removed.
In 1920 [his daughter] Anne Spencer was born to Albert Edward John Spencer 7th Earl Spencer [aged 27] and [his wife] Cynthia Elinor Beatrix Hamilton Countess Spencer [aged 23].
On 26th September 1922 [his father] Charles Robert Spencer 6th Earl Spencer [aged 64] died. His son Albert [aged 30] succeeded 7th Earl Spencer, 7th Viscount Althorp, 7th Viscount Spencer, 7th Baron Spencer Althorp. [his wife] Cynthia Elinor Beatrix Hamilton Countess Spencer [aged 25] by marriage Countess Spencer.
On 24th January 1924 [his son] John Spencer 8th Earl Spencer was born to Albert Edward John Spencer 7th Earl Spencer [aged 31] and [his wife] Cynthia Elinor Beatrix Hamilton Countess Spencer [aged 27]. He married (1) 1st June 1954 Frances Ruth Roche Countess Spencer, daughter of Maurice Roche 4th Baron Fermoy and Ruth Sylvia Gill Baroness Fermoy, and had issue (2) 1976 Raine McCorquodale Countess Dartmouth and Spencer.
On 9th February 1928 [his brother-in-law] James Edward Hamilton 4th Duke of Abercorn [aged 24] and Kathleen Hamilton Duchess of Abercorn [aged 22] were married at St Martin in the Fields Church [Map]. He the son of [his father-in-law] James Albert Edward Hamilton 3rd Duke of Abercorn [aged 58] and [his mother-in-law] Rosalind Cecilia Caroline Bingham Duchess Abercorn [aged 58]. They were fifth cousins.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 12th September 1953 [his father-in-law] James Albert Edward Hamilton 3rd Duke of Abercorn [aged 83] died. His son [his brother-in-law] James [aged 49] succeeded 4th Duke Abercorn, 4th Marquess Hamilton, 5th Marquess Abercorn, 13th Earl Abercorn. Kathleen Hamilton Duchess of Abercorn [aged 48] by marriage Duchess Abercorn.
On 1st June 1954 John Spencer 8th Earl Spencer [aged 30] and Frances Ruth Roche Countess Spencer [aged 18] were married at Westminster Abbey [Map]. He the son of Albert Edward John Spencer 7th Earl Spencer [aged 62] and Cynthia Elinor Beatrix Hamilton Countess Spencer [aged 57].
In 1972 [his wife] Cynthia Elinor Beatrix Hamilton Countess Spencer [aged 75] died.
On 9th June 1975 Albert Edward John Spencer 7th Earl Spencer [aged 83] died. His son John [aged 51] succeeded 8th Earl Spencer, 8th Viscount Althorp, 8th Viscount Spencer, 8th Baron Spencer Althorp. Frances Ruth Roche Countess Spencer [aged 39] by marriage Countess Spencer.
Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 22 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 28 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 23 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland
Kings Scotland: Great x 6 Grand Son of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland
Kings France: Great x 8 Grand Son of Henry IV King France
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Kings Spain: Great x 13 Grand Son of John II King Aragon
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Spencer 3rd Earl of Sunderland 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Spencer 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Anne Churchill Countess Sunderland 
15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Spencer 1st Earl Spencer 9 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Carteret 2nd Earl Granville 
13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Georgiana Caroline Carteret 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Worsley Countess Granville 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 1 Grandfather: George John Spencer 2nd Earl Spencer 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Poyntz 
12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Stephen Poyntz 13 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Georgiana Poyntz Countess Spencer 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Lewis Mordaunt 
9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anna Maria Mordaunt 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Frederick Spencer 4th Earl Spencer 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry VII of England and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Bingham 4th Baronet 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Bingham 5th Baronet
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Bingham 1st Earl Lucan
Great x 4 Grandfather: Agmondisham Vesey
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Vesey Lady Bingham
Great x 1 Grandmother: Lavinia Bingham Countess Spencer
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Smith of Canon's Leigh in Devon
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Smith Countess Lucan
Father: Charles Robert Spencer 6th Earl Spencer 5 x Great Grand Son of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Seymour-Conway 1st Baron Conway 
10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Francis Seymour-Conway 1st Marquess Hertford 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Charlotte Shorter 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Hugh Seymour-Conway 2 x Great Grand Son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Charles Fitzroy 2nd Duke Grafton 
Grand Son of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabella Fitzroy Countess Hertford Great Grand Daughter of King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Henrietta Somerset Duchess Grafton 
11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Horace Beauchamp Seymour-Conway 3 x Great Grand Son of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Waldegrave 1st Earl Waldegrave 
Grand Son of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandfather: James Waldegrave 2nd Earl Waldegrave Great Grand Son of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Webb 10 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Anne Horatia Waldegrave 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edward Walpole 
12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Maria Walpole Duchess Gloucester and Edinburgh 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Dorothy Clement 
GrandMother: Adelaide Horatia Seymour-Conway Countess Spencer 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Palk
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Palk 1st Baronet
Great x 4 Grandmother: Frances Abraham
Great x 2 Grandfather: Lawrence Palk 2nd Baronet
Great x 4 Grandfather: Arthur van Sittart
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne van Sittart Lady Palk
Great x 4 Grandmother: Martha Stonhouse
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Malet Palk 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Wilmot Vaughan 3rd Viscount Lisburne 
12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Wilmot Vaughan 1st Earl Lisburne 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Dorothy Elizabeth Vaughan 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Shafto 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Dorothy Shafto Countess Lisburne 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Albert Edward John Spencer 7th Earl Spencer 6 x Great Grand Son of King James II of England Scotland and Ireland
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Baring
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Baring 1st Baronet
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Baring
Great x 2 Grandmother: Harriet Herring Lady Baring
GrandFather: Edward Baring 1st Baron Revelstoke
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Bingham
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Bingham
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Bingham
Great x 1 Grandmother: Maria Matilda Bingham
Mother: Margaret Baring Countess Spencer 16 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Crocker Bulteel
GrandMother: Louisa Emily Charlotte Bulteel Baroness Revelstoke 15 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Grey 1st Baronet 
12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Charles Grey 1st Earl Grey 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Hannah Wood
Great x 2 Grandfather: Charles Grey 2nd Earl Grey 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Grey
Great x 3 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey Countess Grey 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Ogle 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Grey 14 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Ponsonby 
12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Ponsonby 1st Baron Ponsonby of Imokilly in County Cork 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Cavendish 
11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Elizabeth Ponsonby Countess Grey 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry IV of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Richard Molesworth 3rd Viscount Molesworth
Great x 3 Grandmother: Louisa Molesworth Countess Fitzwilliam