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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On 12th December 1693 Archdeacon Thomas Sharp was born to [his father] Archbishop John Sharp (age 48).
On 2nd February 1714 [his father] Archbishop John Sharp (age 68) died in Bath, Somerset [Map].
Before 29th April 1719 Archdeacon Thomas Sharp (age 25) was appointed Prebendary of Wistow in York Minster.
In 1720 Archdeacon Thomas Sharp (age 26) was appointed Rector of Rothbury, Northumberland [Map].
On 19th June 1722 Archdeacon Thomas Sharp (age 28) and Judith Wheler (age 22) were married. They had fourteen children. He the son of Archbishop John Sharp.
In 1723 [his son] Archdeacon John Sharp was born to Archdeacon Thomas Sharp (age 29) and [his wife] Judith Wheler (age 23).
On 27th February 1723 Archdeacon Thomas Sharp (age 29) was collated Archdeacon of Northumberland.
In 1729 Archdeacon Thomas Sharp (age 35) was awarded Doctor of Divinity by Cambridge University.
On 1st December 1732 Archdeacon Thomas Sharp (age 38) was installed in the tenth prebend of Durham Cathedral [Map].
In 1757 [his wife] Judith Wheler (age 57) died.
Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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After 1758. Durham Cathedral [Map]. Memorial to Archdeacon Thomas Sharp (age 64) and his wife [his former wife] Judith Wheler, and their son [his son] Archdeacon John Sharp (age 35), and a number of their children.
Judith Wheler: In 1700 she was born to George Wheler and Grace Higgons. On 19th June 1722 Archdeacon Thomas Sharp and she were married. They had fourteen children. He the son of Archbishop John Sharp. In 1757 she died.
Archdeacon John Sharp: In 1723 he was born to Archdeacon Thomas Sharp and Judith Wheler. Before 1792 he was appointed Archdeacon of Northumberland. In 1792 Archdeacon John Sharp deied.
On 16th March 1758 Archdeacon Thomas Sharp (age 64) died. He was buried in the Gallilee of Durham Cathedral [Map].