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: Fitton
Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Markham
Before 31st March 1527 [his uncle] Edward Fitton (age 27) and [his mother] Mary Harbottle (age 20) were married.
On 31st March 1527 Edward Fitton was born to [his uncle] Edward Fitton (age 27) and [his mother] Mary Harbottle (age 20) at Gawsworth, Cheshire [Map].
On 19th January 1539 Edward Fitton (age 11) and Anne Warburton (age 11) were married. They had nine sons and six daughters during their thrity-four year marriage.
Around 1548 [his son] Edward Fitton was born to Edward Fitton (age 20) and [his wife] Anne Warburton (age 20). He married in or before 1572 Alice Holcroft and had issue.
Around 1548 [his daughter] Mary Fitton was born to Edward Fitton (age 20) and [his wife] Anne Warburton (age 20).
On 17th February 1548 [his uncle] Edward Fitton (age 48) died at Gawsworth, Cheshire [Map].
In 1553 Edward Fitton (age 25) was appointed Knight of the Shire Cheshire.
Around 1555 [his daughter] Margaret Fitton was born to Edward Fitton (age 27) and [his wife] Anne Warburton (age 27). She married before 1572 her half fourth cousin twice removed Randle Mainwaring and had issue.
In 1556 Edward Fitton (age 28) was knighted by Henry Sidney (age 27).
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.
On 12th December 1556 [his mother] Mary Harbottle (age 49) died at Gawsworth, Cheshire [Map].
In 1st June 1569 Edward Fitton (age 42) was appointed the first Lord President of Connaught and Thomond arriving in Ireland in Jul 1569.
After July 1569 Edward Fitton (age 42) was beseiged in County Galway by Connor O'Brien 3rd Earl of Thomond (age 35) and the sons of Richard Burke 2nd Earl Clanricarde.
Before 1572 [his son-in-law] Randle Mainwaring (age 18) and [his daughter] Margaret Fitton (age 16) were married. They were half fourth cousin twice removed.
In or before 1572 [his son] Edward Fitton (age 23) and [his daughter-in-law] Alice Holcroft (age 31) were married.
On 9th July 1573 [his wife] Anne Warburton (age 46) died at Dublin [Map]. She was buried at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin [Map].
On 3rd July 1579 Edward Fitton (age 52) died at Dublin [Map]. He was buried at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin [Map] on 21st September 1579.
[his son] Alexander Fitton was born to Edward Fitton and Anne Warburton.
Kings Wessex: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 13 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 14 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 16 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 6 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 15 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 12 Grand Son of Louis VII King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 16 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 20 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
GrandFather: John Fitton
Father: Edward Fitton
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Brereton
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Brereton
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Brereton 10th Lord Brereton
Great x 1 Grandfather: Andrew Brereton
GrandMother: Ellen Brereton
Edward Fitton 6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Bertram Harbottle
Great x 1 Grandfather: Ralph Harbottle 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Lumley 
6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Lumley 1st Baron Lumley 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Felicia Wodecok
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Lumley 8 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Harrington 
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Harrington Baroness Knightley
GrandFather: Guiscard Harbottle 4 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry "Hotspur" Percy 3 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Percy 2nd Earl of Northumberland 2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Mortimer Baroness Camoys 
Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Percy 2 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ralph Neville 1st Earl of Westmoreland 
5 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Neville Countess Northumberland Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Beaufort Countess of Westmoreland 
Grand Daughter of
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Percy 3 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Acton
Mother: Mary Harbottle 5 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Edmund Willoughby 
6 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh Willoughby 7 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Annesley
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Willoughby 8 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 4 Grandfather: Baldwin Freville
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Freville
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Willoughby 9 x Great Grand Son of
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Griffith
GrandMother: Jane Willoughby 10 x Great Grand Daughter of
Great x 2 Grandfather: Robert Markham
Great x 1 Grandmother: Margaret Markham