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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Around 1812 Captain Frederick William Leopold Thomas was born to [his father] George Thomas (age 30).
In 1850 [his father] George Thomas (age 68) died.
Archaeologia Volume 34 Section 1851 13. Account of some of the Celtic Antiquities of Orkney, including the Stones of Stenness [Map], Tumuli, Picts-houses, &c, with Plans, by F. W. L. Thomas (age 38), R.N., Corr. Mem. S.A. Scot., Lieutenant Commanding H.M. Surveying Vessel Woodlark. Read Feb. 6th and 13th, 1851.
In 1860 Captain Frederick William Leopold Thomas (age 48) with Captain Otter, on HMS Porcupine, on a voyage to St Kilda.
In 1885 Captain Frederick William Leopold Thomas (age 73) died.
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Scotland Volume 10 Chapter III. Letter From St Kilda [Map]. By Miss Anne Kennedy. Communicated With Notes, by Capt. F. W. L. Thomas, R.N., F.S.A. Scot.
Having, by the courtesy of Captain Otter, an opportunity of visiting St Kilda in 1860, besides photographing many of the inhabitants, and seeing as much as I was able, I made the acquaintance of the Rev. Mr Kennedy, who was then missionary there. Subsequently a string of questions was forwarded to him on points of antiquarian interest; but he, probably not to give offence to weak brethren, turned the letter over to his niece, and I have no reason to believe that the subject lost by the exchange. As the opportunities of going to St Kilda seem likely to increase, I have transcribed the substance of her letter, which may serve as a guide to archeologists as to what to observe in that remarkable group of islets.