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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Eleanor "Nellie" Souray Viscountess Torrington is in Actors.
In 1880 Eleanor "Nellie" Souray Viscountess Torrington was born.
On 20th October 1889 George Stanley Byng 8th Viscount Torrington (age 48) died. His son [her future husband] George (age 3) succeeded 9th Viscount Torrington.
After 1900. Bassano Ltd. Photograph of Eleanor "Nellie" Souray Viscountess Torrington (age 20)
After 1900. Bassano Ltd. Photograph of Eleanor "Nellie" Souray Viscountess Torrington (age 20)
In 1910 George Master Byng 9th Viscount Torrington (age 23) and Eleanor "Nellie" Souray Viscountess Torrington (age 30) were married at the British Embassy in Paris. She by marriage Viscountess Torrington. They had met three days earlier.
Daily News 1910 Dec 06. TORRINGTON MARRIAGE.
The marriage of [her husband] Lord Torrington (age 24) and Miss Eleanor Souray (age 30), the actress, apparently came as a great surprise; to those 'tiresome busybodies' who always exhibit annoyance if they are not consulted in these matters by "the high contracting parties." They were married at the church of the British Embassy in Paris, and the event was a chapter in what may fairly be called a turf romance.
For some time Miss Souray had been an enthusiastic sportswoman. At Epsom she had — and as Lady Torrington still retains — a stable of about fifteen horses in training by Mr. E. G. Goby at Epsom. One of these is called Darrara. This animal she entered for one of the principal events, at the Ostend race meeting of a couple of months ago, and the owner herself went over to the Belgian resort. In the paddock she learn that the favorite for the race in which Darrara was to run was Lord Torrington's Abelard II. Her own horse stood at 19 to 1 against. Abelard II, however, was not in his top form, whereas Darrara was in the pink of condition. None the less, it was a great surprise, even to the owner, to see Darrara sweep past the favorite, and come in a comparatively easy winner.
When the owner of Abelard II. had recovered from his astonishment; he entered the paddock to find and congratulate the owner of Darrara. In a more formal way than when he first made her acquaintance, Lord Torrington was introduced to Miss Souray. They had a long talk; mainly about racing and motoring, and the following day they went out for a long motor ride together. Lord Torrington discovered his companion was a British sportswoman, and that they had many tastes in common, and lost no time in making her Viscountess Torrington. Voila tout.
Abelard II, who thus unconsciously was instrumental in bringing about the romantic match, ran in the Cambridgeshire.
The new Lady Torrington was one of the tallest actresses of the London stage. Her height, nearly approaches 6 feet. She made her first appearance about twelve years ago, and later played in "School for Scandal", "The Rivals," and "Letty" in which latter production she achieved considerable success as Hilda Gunning, Miss Violet Vanbrugh taking the same part. Then Miss Souray, who acted under her real name, took to musical comedy. In "The Girl from Kay's" and "The Blue Moon" she was an acceptable member of the cast. — The "Indian Field."
In 1921 George Master Byng 9th Viscount Torrington (age 34) and Eleanor "Nellie" Souray Viscountess Torrington (age 41) were divorced.
On 1st September 1923 [her former husband] George Master Byng 9th Viscount Torrington (age 36) and Norah Elizabeth Wood-Pottle Viscountess Torrington were married. She by marriage Viscountess Torrington.
On 8th December 1931 Eleanor "Nellie" Souray Viscountess Torrington (age 51) died.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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On 24th April 1944 [her former husband] George Master Byng 9th Viscount Torrington (age 57) died. He was buried at Buckfast Abbey, Devon [Map]. His first cousin Arthur (age 67) succeeded 10th Viscount Torrington.