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: Dormer
In 1441 Michael Dormer was born to [his father] Geoffrey Dormer of Thame (age 33).
On 9th March 1503 [his father] Geoffrey Dormer of Thame (age 95) died.
In 1509 [his son] William Dormer of Long Crendon was born to Michael Dormer (age 68).
Around 1520 [his son] John Dormer was born to Michael Dormer (age 79).
Before 1533 Richard Collier and [his future wife] Katherine Dallam were married.
Between 1533 and November 1535 Robert Pakington (age 44) and [his future wife] Katherine Dallam were married.
On 21st August 1539 Michael Dormer (age 98) and Katherine Dallam were married.
In 1541 Michael Dormer was elected Lord Mayor of London.
Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 13th October 1541. This yeare, on St. Edwardes daie after dynner, one George Robinson, mercer, being one of the Wardens of the Mercers, as he was talking with the major elect in the old majorsa house, sodenlie fell downe, and was taken all his left side, firom the topp of his heade to the soule of his foote, so that he cold not speake perfectlie nor stirre, and was washed with vineger and aqua-vitas, and had to bed in the said majors howse, and laie their that night, and the next daie he was caried to his owne howse in a chaire, and died the third daie after.
Note a. Sir William Roche.
Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. This yeare, the fyrst daye of December [1541], was arrigned at the Guyld Hall in London Thomas Culpepper (age 27),a one of the Gentlemen of the Kinges Pryvie Chamber, and Frauncis Dorand (age 28), gentleman, for high treason against the Kinges Majestic in mysdemeanor with the Quene,b as appeered by thejrr inditements which they confessed,c and had their judgments to be drawne, hanged, and quartered, the Lord Mayor sitting there as cheife, the Lord Chauncellor (age 53) on his right hand, and the Duke of Norfolke (age 68) on his left hand, the Duke of Suffolke (age 57), the Lord Privye Scale, the Earles of Sussex (age 58), of Hertford (age 41), and divers other of the Kinges Counsell, with all the judges, sittinge there also in commission the same daye.
Note a. It was alleged against Thomas Culpepper, who was a relative of the Queen, that he had on one occasion, when the Court was it Lincoln, stayed for three hours in the same room with the Queen and Lady Rochford.
Note b. Archbishop Cranmer declared to the King, on his return from his progress in the North, that he had evidence that the Queen before her marriage had been seduced by Francis Dereham, to whom she had been engaged to be married.
Note c. Francis Dereham is generally said to have confessed that he had been guilty of incontinence with the Qneen before her marriage, but, from the best evidence we possess, it seems doubtful whether Dereham confessed anything of the kind. — See State Papers, Henry VIII. vol. i.
Wriothesley's Chronicle [1508-1562]. 2nd February 1542. This yeare, on Candlemas daye, my lord mayor [Michael Dormer] was presented to the Kinge at his Pallace of Westminster, and there made knight, and Sir William Denham, alderman, allso.
In 1545 Michael Dormer died.
Before 29th January 1563 [his former wife] Katherine Dallam died.