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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Biography of John Savile 1st Earl Mexborough 1719-1778

Paternal Family Tree: Savile

Before December 1719 [his father] Charles Savile of Methley [aged 43] and [his mother] Aletheia Millington [aged 37] were married.

In December 1719 John Savile 1st Earl Mexborough was born to [his father] Charles Savile of Methley [aged 43] and [his mother] Aletheia Millington [aged 37].

On 5th June 1741 [his father] Charles Savile of Methley [aged 65] died.

In 1753 John Savile 1st Earl Mexborough [aged 33] was created 1st Baron Pollington of Longford in the County of Longford.

On 24th June 1759 [his mother] Aletheia Millington [aged 77] died.

In 1760 John Savile 1st Earl Mexborough [aged 40] and Sarah Delaval Countess Mexborough [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Baroness Pollington of Longford in the County of Longford. The difference in their ages was 22 years.

On 8th April 1761 [his son] John Savile 2nd Earl Mexborough was born to John Savile 1st Earl Mexborough [aged 41] and [his wife] Sarah Delaval Countess Mexborough [aged 19]. He married 1782 Elizabeth Stephenson Countess Mexborough and had issue.

Around 1763 Joshua Reynolds [aged 39]. Portrait of John Savile 1st Earl Mexborough [aged 43] with [his wife] Sarah Delaval Countess Mexborough [aged 21] and their son John Savile 2nd Earl Mexborough [aged 1].

On 17th September 1763 [his son] Henry Savile was born to John Savile 1st Earl Mexborough [aged 43] and [his wife] Sarah Delaval Countess Mexborough [aged 21].

In February 1766 John Savile 1st Earl Mexborough [aged 46] was created 1st Earl Mexborough of Lifford in County Donegal. [his wife] Sarah Delaval Countess Mexborough [aged 24] by marriage Countess Mexborough of Lifford in County Donegal.

On 27th February 1778 John Savile 1st Earl Mexborough [aged 58] died. His son John [aged 16] succeeded 2nd Earl Mexborough of Lifford in County Donegal.

In 1780. Monument in Church of St Oswald, Methley [Map] to John Savile 1st Earl Mexborough sculpted by Joseph Wilton [aged 57].

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