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: Fitzmaldred aka Neville
William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny educated at Eton College [Map].
On 7th September 1824 [his father] William Neville 4th Earl Abergavenny (age 32) and [his mother] Caroline Leeke Countess Abergavenny were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Henry Neville 2nd Earl Abergavenny (age 69) and [his grandmother] Mary Robinson Countess Abergavenny.
On 16th September 1826 William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny was born to [his father] William Neville 4th Earl Abergavenny (age 34) and [his mother] Caroline Leeke Countess Abergavenny.
On 12th April 1845 [his uncle] John Neville 3rd Earl Abergavenny (age 55) died. His brother [his father] William (age 52) succeeded 4th Earl Abergavenny, 4th Viscount Neville, 5th Baron Abergavenny. [his mother] Caroline Leeke Countess Abergavenny by marriage Countess Abergavenny.
On 2nd May 1848 William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 21) and Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny were married. He the son of William Neville 4th Earl Abergavenny (age 55) and Caroline Leeke Countess Abergavenny.
In 1851 [his daughter] Cecily Neville was born to William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 24) and [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny.
In 1853 [his son] Reginald Neville 2nd Marquess Abergavenny was born to William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 26) and [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny.
On 2nd September 1854 [his son] Henry Neville 3rd Marquess Abergavenny was born to William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 27) and [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny. He married (1) 12th September 1876 Violet Streatfeild and had issue (2) December 1880 Maud Augusta Beckett Dickinson and had issue (3) 18th October 1928 his first cousin Mary Frances Neville Marchioness Abergavenny.
In 1856 [his son] George Montacute Neville was born to William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 29) and [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny. He married Florence Soames and had issue.
In 1858 [his daughter] Alice Neville was born to William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 31) and [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny.
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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In 1860 [his son] William Neville was born to William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 33) and [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny.
In 1862 [his son] Richard Neville was born to William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 35) and [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny.
In 1865 [his daughter] Idina Neville was born to William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 38) and [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny.
On 7th December 1866 [his daughter] Violet Neville Countess Cowley was born to William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 40) and [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny. She married 17th December 1889 Henry Arthur Mornington Wellesley 3rd Earl Cowley, son of William Henry Wellesley 2nd Earl Cowley and Emily Gwendoline Williams Countess Cowley, and had issue.
On 7th December 1866 [his daughter] Rose Neville Countess Cottentham was born to William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 40) and [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny. She married 29th November 1899 Kenelm Charles Pepys 4th Earl of Cottenham, son of William John Pepys 3rd Earl of Cottenham and Theodesia Selina Dallas Countess Cottenham, and had issue.
On 17th August 1868 [his father] William Neville 4th Earl Abergavenny (age 76) died. His son William (age 41) succeeded 5th Earl Abergavenny, 5th Viscount Neville, 6th Baron Abergavenny. [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny by marriage Countess Abergavenny.
On 19th May 1873 [his mother] Caroline Leeke Countess Abergavenny died at Birling, Kent [Map].
On 14th January 1876...
William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 49) was created 1st Marquess Abergavenny, 1st Earl Lewes. [his wife] Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny by marriage Marchioness Abergavenny.
Edward Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie 1st Earl Wharncliffe (age 48) was created 1st Earl Wharncliffe. Susan Charlotte Lascelles Countess Wharncliffe (age 42) by marriage Countess Wharncliffe.
John Ormsby-Gore 1st Baron Harlech (age 59) was created 1st Baron Harlech with remainder to his brother William in the absence of male heirs.
Henry Gerard Sturt 1st Baron Alington (age 50) was created 1st Baron Alington. Augusta Bingham Baroness Alington (age 43) by marriage Baroness Alington.
Edinburgh Gazette 14 Jan 1876. 14th January 1876. Whitehall Palace [Map].
The Queen (age 56) has been pleased to direct Letters Patent to be passed under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, granting the dignities of an Earl and Duke of the said United Kingdom to Charles Henry, Duke of Richmond, K.G. (age 30), and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the names, styles, and titles of Earl of Kinrara, in the County of Inverness, and Duke of Gordon, of Gordon Castle, in that part of the said United Kingdom called Scotland.
The Queen has also been pleased to direct Letters Patent to be passed under the said Great Seal, granting the dignities of an Earl and Marquess of the said United Kingdom to William, Earl of Abergavenny (age 49), and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the names, styles, and titles of Earl of Lewes, in the County of Sussex, and Marquess of Abergavenny, in the County of Monmonth.
The Queen has also been pleased to direct Letters Patent to be passed under the said Great Seal, granting the dignities of a Viscount and Earl of the said United Kingdom to Edward Montagu Stuart Granville, Lord Wharncliffe (age 48), and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the names, styles, and titles of Viscount Carlton, of Carlton, and Earl of Wharncliffe, bdth in the West Riding of the County of York; with remainder, in default of such issue male, to the Honourable Francis Dudley Stuart-Wortley (age 46) (brother of the said Edward Montagu Stuart Granville, Lord Wharncliffe), and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten.
The Queen has also been pleased to direct Letters Patent to be passed under the said Great Seal, granting the dignity of a Baron of the said United Kingdom to John, Earl of Erne (age 73), in that part of the said United Kingdom called Ireland, K.P., and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the name, style, and title of Baron Fermanagh, of Lisnaskea, in the County of Fermanagh.
The Queen has also been pleased to direct Letters Patent to be passed under the said Great Seal, granting the dignity of a Baron of the said United Kingdom to John Ralph Ormsby-Gore (age 59), Esq, and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the name, style, and title of Baron Harlech, of Harlech, in the County of Merioneth; with remainder, in default of snch issue male, to William Richard Ormsby-Gore, Esq (age 56). (brother of the said John Ralph Ormsby-Gore), and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten.
The Queen has also been pleased to direct Letters Patent to be passed under the said Great Seal, granting the dignity of a Baron of the said United Kingdom to Henry Gerard Sturt (age 50), Esq, and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the name, style, and title of Baron Alington, of Crichel, in the County of Dorset.
The Queen has also been pleased to direct Letters Patent to be passed under the said Great Seal, granting the dignity of a Baron of the said United Kingdom to John Tollemache, Esq, and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the name, style, and title of Baron Tollemache, of Helmingham Hall, in the County of Suffolk.
The Queen has also been pleased to direct Letters Patent to be passed under the said Great Seal, granting the dignity of a Baron of the said United Kingdom to Sir Robert Tolver Gerard (age 67), Bart., and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, by the name, style, and title of Baron Gerard, of Bryn, in the County Palatine of Lancaster.
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On 12th September 1876 Henry Neville 3rd Marquess Abergavenny (age 22) and Violet Streatfeild (age 21) were married. He the son of William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 49) and Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny.
In December 1880 Henry Neville 3rd Marquess Abergavenny (age 26) and Maud Augusta Beckett Dickinson (age 16) were married. He the son of William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 54) and Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny.
In 1886 William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 59) was appointed 788th Knight of the Garter by Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom (age 66).
On 17th December 1889 [his son-in-law] Henry Arthur Mornington Wellesley 3rd Earl Cowley (age 23) and Violet Neville Countess Cowley (age 23) were married at St George's Church, Hanover Square. She the daughter of William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 63) and Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny. He the son of William Henry Wellesley 2nd Earl Cowley (age 55) and Emily Gwendoline Williams Countess Cowley (age 50).
On 29th November 1899 [his son-in-law] Kenelm Charles Pepys 4th Earl of Cottenham (age 25) and Rose Neville Countess Cottentham (age 32) were married. She by marriage Countess of Cottenham. She the daughter of William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 73) and Caroline Vanden Bempte Johnston Marchioness Abergavenny. He the son of William John Pepys 3rd Earl of Cottenham and Theodesia Selina Dallas Countess Cottenham (age 54).
On 28th March 1910 [his daughter] Violet Neville Countess Cowley (age 43) died.
On 2nd May 1913 [his daughter] Rose Neville Countess Cottentham (age 46) died.
On 12th December 1915 William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny (age 89) died. His son Reginald (age 62) succeeded 2nd Marquess Abergavenny, 6th Earl Abergavenny, 6th Viscount Neville, 2nd Earl Lewes, 7th Baron Abergavenny.
Kings Wessex: Great x 23 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 20 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 26 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 21 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings Godwinson: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Harold II of England
Kings England: Great x 14 Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 22 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 30 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 24 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 28 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: George Neville 
8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Edward Neville 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Mary Whitelocke 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: William Neville 1st Baron Abergavenny 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Hannah Thorp
Great x 1 Grandfather: George Neville 1st Earl Abergavenny 11 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Tatton
Great x 2 Grandmother: Katherine Tatton Baroness Abergavenny
GrandFather: Henry Neville 2nd Earl Abergavenny 12 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Pelham 3rd Baronet 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Henry Pelham 9 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Lucy Sidney Baroness Pelham Laughton 
8 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: Thomas "Turk" Pelham 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Henrietta Pelham Baroness Bergavenny 11 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward III of England
Father: William Neville 4th Earl Abergavenny 13 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
Great x 1 Grandfather: John Robinson 
GrandMother: Mary Robinson Countess Abergavenny
William Neville 1st Marquess Abergavenny 14 x Great Grand Son of King Edward III of England
GrandFather: Ralph Leeke
Mother: Caroline Leeke Countess Abergavenny