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: Pierrepoint
Maternal Family Tree: Margaret Vaux 1465
In 1568 Elizabeth Pierrepont Countess Kellie was born to [her father] Henry Pierrepont [aged 22] and [her mother] Frances Cavendish [aged 19].
Before 1584 [her father] Henry Pierrepont [aged 37] and [her mother] Frances Cavendish [aged 35] were married. She the daughter of [her grandfather] William Cavendish and [her grandmother] Bess of Hardwick Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford [aged 56]. They were sixth cousins.
On 30th November 1587 [her future husband] Thomas Erskine 1st Earl Kellie [aged 21] and Ann Ogilvy were married.
In or before 1595 Richard Stapleton and Elizabeth Pierrepont Countess Kellie [aged 26] were married. They were half fifth cousin once removed.
Around 1595 [her son] Gilbert Stapleton was born to [her husband] Richard Stapleton and Elizabeth Pierrepont Countess Kellie [aged 27]. He married before 19th October 1626 Helen Gascoigne, daughter of John Gascoigne 1st Baronet, and had issue.
On 8th January 1601 [her brother] Robert Pierrepont 1st Earl Kingston [aged 16] and [her sister-in-law] Gertrude Talbot Baroness Pierrepont Holme Pierrepoint [aged 20] were married at Overton Longueville.
In 1604 Thomas Erskine 1st Earl Kellie [aged 38] and Elizabeth Pierrepont Countess Kellie [aged 36] were married. There is some uncertainty about whether this is the right Elizabeth Pierrepoint.
In 1614 [her husband] Richard Stapleton died.
On 19th March 1616 [her father] Henry Pierrepont [aged 70] died. Church of St Edmund, Holme Pierrepoint [Map]. Designed by John Smythson. Probably carved by Hugh Hall who also carved the monument to Thomas Smith originally at Wybynbury but since moved to Nantwich [Map]. Elizabethan Period. Armorials:
Top left 
Cavendish Arms - he was married to [her mother] Frances Cavendish [aged 67] daughter of [her grandfather] William Cavendish and [her grandmother] Bess of Hardwick.
Top right 
Pierrepoint Arms.
Centre Bottom: Quartered 1&4 Pierrepoint Arms 2&3 Unknown Arms impaled Quartered 1&4 Cavendish Arms 2&3 Unknown Arms.
Frances Cavendish: On 18th June 1548 she was born to William Cavendish and Bess of Hardwick. Before 1584 Henry Pierrepont and she were married. She the daughter of William Cavendish and Bess of Hardwick Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford. They were sixth cousins. In January 1632 Frances Cavendish died.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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Letters of John Chamberlain Volume 2.252. [14th November 1616] Vicount Wallingford [aged 72] is willing to make roome for Sir Thomas Edmonds [aged 53] advancement to be controller, having besides the dignitie conferred now upon him £2000 a yeare during life out of the court of wardes, or the best ward (saving noble men) that falls every yeare at his owne choise, so that the King is the only gainer by these bargains, except perhaps his Lady [aged 33] whose ambition they say yt was to have him a vicount that she might have place of certain Ladies, but specially of the Lady Fenton [aged 48], whom she did most aime at. The Lord Rosse [aged 26] went from Portesmouth the third of this present, having had ever since as fayre a wind as ever blew, so that yt is certainly held that he is before this time arrived at Lisbone. At his parting he sent Secretarie Winwod [aged 53] a diamond worth forty pound.
In March 1619 [her husband] Thomas Erskine 1st Earl Kellie [aged 53] was created 1st Earl Kellie. Elizabeth Pierrepont Countess Kellie [aged 51] by marriage Countess Kellie.
Before 19th October 1626 Gilbert Stapleton [aged 31] and Helen Gascoigne [aged 31] were married. He the son of Richard Stapleton and Elizabeth Pierrepont Countess Kellie [aged 58].
On 29th June 1627 [her brother] Robert Pierrepont 1st Earl Kingston [aged 42] was created 1st Baron Pierrepont of Holme Pierrepoint. [her sister-in-law] Gertrude Talbot Baroness Pierrepont Holme Pierrepoint [aged 46] by marriage Baroness Pierrepont of Holme Pierrepoint.
On 25th January 1628 [her brother] Robert Pierrepont 1st Earl Kingston [aged 43] was created 1st Earl Kingston upon Hull, 1st Viscount Newark. [her sister-in-law] Gertrude Talbot Baroness Pierrepont Holme Pierrepoint [aged 47] by marriage Countess Kingston upon Hull.
In January 1632 [her mother] Frances Cavendish [aged 83] died.
In 1636 [her son] Gilbert Stapleton [aged 41] died.
On 12th June 1639 [her husband] Thomas Erskine 1st Earl Kellie [aged 73] died. His grandson Thomas succeeded 2nd Earl Kellie.
On 16th July 1643 Francis Willoughby 5th Baron Willoughby of Parham launched a night attack on Gainsborough [Map] and captured it and [her brother] Robert Pierrepont 1st Earl Kingston [aged 58].
On 25th July 1643 Robert Pierrepont 1st Earl Kingston Was accidentally shot and killed while a prisoner on board a vessel bound for Hull. His son [her nephew] Henry [aged 37] succeeded 2nd Earl Kingston upon Hull, 2nd Viscount Newark, 2nd Baron Pierrepont of Holme Pierrepoint. Catherine Stanley Marchioness Dorchester by marriage Countess Kingston upon Hull.
In 1648 Elizabeth Pierrepont Countess Kellie [aged 80] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 12 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 13 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 23 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Henry Pierrepont
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Pierrepont 8 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Ellen Longford 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Francis Pierrepont 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Melton
Great x 3 Grandmother: Thomasine Melton 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Clifford 
5 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Pierrepont 8 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
GrandFather: George Pierrepont 9 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Francis Empson
Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter Empson
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Empson
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Empson
Father: Henry Pierrepont 10 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Thwaites
GrandMother: Winifred Thwaites
Elizabeth Pierrepont Countess Kellie 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Cavendish
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Cavendish
Great x 4 Grandmother: Joan Clopton
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Cavendish
Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Staventon
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Cavendish 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Scudamore
Great x 2 Grandmother: Catherine Scudamore 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Owain ap Gruffudd "Glyndŵr" Mathrafal Prince Powys 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Alys Mathrafal 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Hamner
GrandFather: William Cavendish 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Carrington Smith
Great x 1 Grandmother: Alice Smith
Mother: Frances Cavendish 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Harwick
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Hardwick 7 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Pinchbeck
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Pinchbeck 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Green 
4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Greene 5 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary aka Marina Bellers
GrandMother: Bess of Hardwick Countess Shrewsbury and Waterford 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Leeke of Gotham
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Leeke of Lakeford
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Leeke of Hasland 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Chaworth 
5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Catherine Chaworth 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Leeke 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Vaux 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Vaux of Harrowden
Great x 2 Grandmother: Margaret Vaux