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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On 21st March 1841 Keomi aka Keytumas Gray was born to Osery Gray at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire [Map]. The year of her birth complicated - the Census records are inconsistent. Her grave states "Died 19 Sep 1914 aged 73" which would make her birth year 1841.
1863. Retouched 1873. Dante Gabriel Rossetti [aged 34]. "Die Geliebte" aka "The Beloved" aka "The Bride". Models: Alice aka Alexa Wilding [aged 16], Ellen Smith, Marie Ford Model, Fanny Entwhistle aka Eaton [aged 27] and Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 21].
Two Biblical texts are inscribed on the frame below the painting.
My beloved is mine and I am his. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: For thy love is better than wine. [The Song of Songs by King Solomon]
She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company, and shall be brought unto thee.
In 1863 [her illegitimate daughter] Ethel Gray was born illegitimately to Frederick Sandes [aged 33] and Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 21].
1863. Frederick Sandes [aged 33]. "Vivien". The subject of the picture is Vivien, also known as the Lady of the Lake, the enchantress of Merlin from Alfred Tennyson's [aged 53] poetic work Idylls of the King. The model was Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 21].
Around 1863. Frederick Sandes [aged 33]. "Cassandra". The model was Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 21].
Around 1864. Frederick Sandes [aged 34]. "Morgan-le-Fay". The enchantress of Arthurian legend also known as Morgana. Fay meaning Fairy. The model was Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 22].
In 1865 [her illegitimate son] Frederick Cyril Gray was born illegitimately to Frederick Sandes [aged 35] and Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 23].
The Diary of George Price Boyce 1865. 5th December 1865. December 5. To Gabriel Rossetti [aged 37]'s at Chelsea. He at home and Wm. and Fanny—Sandys [aged 36] and his gipsy girl (Kiomi [aged 24]) there also.
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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In 1867 [her illegitimate daughter] Madeline Gray was born illegitimately to Frederick Sandes [aged 37] and Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 25].
1868. Frederick Sandes [aged 38]. "Medea". From Wikipeadia: In Greek mythology, Medea is the daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis, a niece of Circe and the granddaughter of the sun god Helios. Medea figures in the myth of Jason and the Argonauts, appearing in Hesiod's Theogony around 700 BC, but best known from Euripides's tragedy Medea and Apollonius of Rhodes' epic Argonautica. Medea is known in most stories as a sorceress and is often depicted as a priestess of the goddess Hecate. The model was Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 26].
In 1868 [her illegitimate son] Henry Herbert Gray was born illegitimately to Frederick Sandes [aged 38] and Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 26].
2nd April 1871. Census. Thorpe St Andrew, Norfolk [Map].
Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 30]. Aged 28.
On 24th September 1875 Charles Stewart Bonnett [aged 22] and Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 34] were married at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk [Map].
After 24th September 1875 [her daughter] Nellie Bonnet was born to [her husband] Charles Stewart Bonnett [aged 22] and Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 34].
After 24th September 1875 [her daughter] Rose Bonnet was born to [her husband] Charles Stewart Bonnett [aged 22] and Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 34].
After 24th September 1875 [her daughter] Florence Bonnet was born to [her husband] Charles Stewart Bonnett [aged 22] and Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 34].
On 19th September 1914 Keomi aka Keytumas Gray [aged 73] died at Gorleston on Sea, Norfolk [Map]. She was buried at the Old Cemetery, Gorleston on Sea [Map].
Photos by Adam from Find a Grave.
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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On 16th June 1925 [her former husband] Charles Stewart Bonnett [aged 72] died. He was buried at the Old Cemetery, Gorleston on Sea [Map].
