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.
Before 21st May 1893 [his father] Robert Portal and [his mother] Elinor Hill [aged 23] were married.
On 21st May 1893 Charles Portal 1st Viscount Portal was born to [his father] Robert Portal and [his mother] Elinor Hill [aged 23] at Eddington House, Hungerford.
In July 1919 Charles Portal 1st Viscount Portal [aged 26] and Joan Margaret Welby [aged 21] were married.
On 12th May 1923 [his daughter] Rosemary Ann Portal 2nd Baroness Portal was born to Charles Portal 1st Viscount Portal [aged 29] and [his wife] Joan Margaret Welby [aged 25].
The London Gazette 37305. Whitehall, October 12, 1945. The KING has been pleased, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm, bearing date the 17th ultimo, to confer the dignity of a Barony of the United Kingdom upon Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Charles Frederick Algernon Portal [aged 52], G.C.B., D.S.O., M.C., by the name, style and title of Baron Portal Of Hungerford, of Hungerford in the County of Berks and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten; and in default of such issue with remainder to his eldest daughter Rosemary Ann Portal by the name, style and title of Baroness Portal Of Hungerford, of Hungerford in the County of Berks and the heirs male of her body lawfully begotten; and in default of such issue to every other daughter lawfully begotten of the said Sir Charles Frederick Algernon Portal successively in order of seniority of age and priority of birth and to the heirs male of their bodies lawfully begotten.
In 1946 Charles Portal 1st Viscount Portal [aged 52] was appointed 899th Knight of the Garter.
The London Gazette 37461. Whitehall, February 8, 1946. The KING has been pleased, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm, bearing date the 28th ultimo, to confer the dignity of a Viscounty of the United Kingdom upon Marshal of the Royal Air Force. Charles Frederick Algernon [aged 52], Baron Portal of Hungerford, G.C.B., O.M., D.S.O., M.C., and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the name, style and title of Viscount Portal Of Hungerford, of Hungerford in the County of Berks.
Before 1948. Oswald Birley [aged 67]. Portrait of Charles Portal 1st Viscount Portal [aged 54] in the robes of a Knight of the Garter.
On 22nd April 1971 Charles Portal 1st Viscount Portal [aged 77] died. He was cremated and his ashes spread at St Mary's Church, Funtingdon [Map]. Viscount Portal of Hungerford in Berkshire extinct. His daughter Rosemary [aged 47] succeeded 2nd Baroness Portal of Hungerford in Berkshire.
In 1996 [his former wife] Joan Margaret Welby [aged 98] died.
Father: Robert Portal
Charles Portal 1st Viscount Portal
GrandFather: Capatain Charles West Hill
Mother: Elinor Hill