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: Lucas
On 17th December 1628 [her father] John Lucas 1st Baron Lucas Shenfield [aged 22] and [her mother] Mary Neville [aged 17] were married.
Around 1644 Mary Lucas Countess Kent was born to [her father] John Lucas 1st Baron Lucas Shenfield [aged 37] and [her mother] Mary Neville [aged 33].
On 28th May 1651 Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent [aged 56] died. Monument made in 1658 at the De Grey Mausoleum, St John the Baptist Church, Flitton [Map]. His son [her future husband] Anthony [aged 5] succeeded 11th Earl Kent.
On 22nd August 1660 [her mother] Mary Neville [aged 49] died.
Between 2nd March 1662 and 1671 Anthony Grey 11th Earl Kent [aged 16] and Mary Lucas Countess Kent [aged 18] were married. She by marriage Countess Kent. He the son of Henry Grey 10th Earl Kent and Amabel Benn Countess Kent [aged 54].
On 7th May 1663 Mary Lucas Countess Kent [aged 19] was created 1st Baroness Lucas of Crudwell with a special remainder to her heirs male by her husband Anthony Grey 11th Earl Kent [aged 17], and failing which, to her heirs female without division; an unusual provision meaning it wouldn't become abeyant in the event of more than one daughter.
John Evelyn's Diary. 3rd May 1664. Came the [her husband] Earl of Kent [aged 18], my kinsman1, and his Lady [aged 20], to visit us.
Note 1. John Evelyn [aged 43] and Anthony Grey 11th Earl Kent were first cousin twice removed; Anthony Grey's maternal grandmother was Jane Evelyn [aged 76]. She and John Evelyn had the same grandfather George Evelyn of Long Ditton.
John Evelyn's Diary. 26th November 1669. I heard an excellent discourse by Dr. Patrick, on the Resurrection, and afterward, visited the Countess of Kent [aged 25], my kinswoman.
In 1671 [her son] Henry Grey 1st Duke Kent was born to [her husband] Anthony Grey 11th Earl Kent [aged 25] and Mary Lucas Countess Kent [aged 27]. He married (1) 20th April 1695 Jemima Crew Marchioness Kent, daughter of Thomas Crew 2nd Baron Crew and Anne Armine, and had issue (2) 24th March 1729 Sophia Bentinck Duchess Kent, daughter of William Bentinck 1st Earl of Portland and Jane Martha Temple Countess Portland, and had issue.
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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On 2nd July 1671 [her father] John Lucas 1st Baron Lucas Shenfield [aged 64] died. His nephew Charles [aged 40] succeeded 2nd Baron Lucas of Shenfield although technically illegitimate his parents had married after his birth.
On 20th April 1695 Henry Grey 1st Duke Kent [aged 24] and Jemima Crew Marchioness Kent [aged 19] were married. They had five sons and seven daughters of whom only three surviving her. He the son of Anthony Grey 11th Earl Kent [aged 49] and Mary Lucas Countess Kent [aged 51].
On 19th August 1702 [her husband] Anthony Grey 11th Earl Kent [aged 57] died. His son Henry [aged 31] succeeded 12th Earl Kent. Jemima Crew Marchioness Kent [aged 27] by marriage Countess Kent.
On 1st November 1702 Mary Lucas Countess Kent [aged 58] died. Her son Henry [aged 31] succeeded 2nd Baron Lucas of Crudwell.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 16 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 8 Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 19 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Lucas 
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Lucas
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Lucas
GrandFather: Thomas Lucas
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Fermor 
Great x 1 Grandmother: Mary Fermor
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Vaux of Harrowden 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Nicholas Vaux 1st Baron Vaux Harrowden
Great x 2 Grandmother: Maud Vaux
Mary Lucas Countess Kent 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Neville 4th and 2nd Baron Abergavenny 
2 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Neville 3 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Fenne Baroness Bergavenny
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edward Neville 4 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Andrew Windsor 1st Baron Windsor
Great x 3 Grandmother: Eleanor Windsor Baroness Scrope Masham 8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Elizabeth Blount Baroness Windsor 
7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Edward Neville 1st Baron Abergavenny 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Brome
GrandFather: Christopher Neville 6 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Lennard
Great x 2 Grandfather: John Lennard
Great x 1 Grandmother: Rachel Lennard Baroness Bergavenny
Great x 2 Grandmother: Elizabeth Hamon
Mother: Mary Neville 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Anthony Darcy 
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Darcy
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas Darcy 10 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Mundy
Great x 3 Grandmother: Anne Mundy 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Juliana Browne 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: Thomas Darcy 11 x Great Grand Son of King Henry III of England
GrandMother: Mary Darcy 12 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Jacopo Guicciardini
Great x 2 Grandfather: Vincenzo Guicciardini
Great x 1 Grandmother: Camilla Guicciardini