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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Charterhouse is in Smithfield [Map].
Henry Machyn's Diary. 23rd November 1558. The xxiij day of November the quen Elsabeth('s) [aged 25] grace toke here gorney from Hadley be-yond Barnett toward London, unto my lord North('s) plase [Map], with a M. and mor of lordes, knyghtes, and gentyllmen, lades and gentyllwomen; and ther lay v days.... cote armur and pennon of armes and .... with ij whytt branchys and xij torchys and iiij gret tapurs.
Note. P. 179. The queen's coming to London. See a note by Mr. Bruce on this subject in Hayward's Annals of Elizabeth, p. 9.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 4th July 1559. The abbott of Westmynster [Map] and the monkes was reprevyd.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 13th July 1559. The xiij [Note. Possibly 16th July 1559.] day of July whent the frers blake in Smythfeld [Map] went a-way.
On 18th March 1589 Richard Sackville 3rd Earl Dorset was born to Robert Sackville 2nd Earl Dorset [aged 28] and Margaret Howard [aged 27] at Charterhouse [Map]. He married 27th February 1609 his fourth cousin once removed Anne Clifford Countess Dorset and Pembroke, daughter of George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland and Margaret Russell Countess Cumberland, and had issue.
On 11th May 1603 Edward Tyrrell [aged 52] was knighted at Charterhouse [Map].
On 11th May 1615 William Cope 2nd Baronet [aged 38] was knighted by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 48] at Charterhouse [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 21st April 1657. Came Sir Thomas Hanmer [aged 45], of Hamner, in Wales, to see me. I then waited on my Lord Hatton [aged 51], with whom I dined: at my return, I stepped into Bedlam, where I saw several poor, miserable creatures in chains; one of them was mad with making verses. I also visited the Charter House [Map], formerly belonging to the Carthusians, now an old, neat, fresh, solitary college for decayed gentlemen. It has a grove, bowling green, garden, chapel, and a hall where they eat in common. I likewise saw Christ Church and Hospital, a very good Gothic building; the hall, school, and lodgings in great order for bringing up many hundreds of poor children of both sexes; it is an exemplary charity. There is a large picture at one end of the hall, representing the governors, founders, and the institution.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 23rd March 1661. All the morning at home putting papers in order, dined at home, and then out to the Red Bull (where I had not been since plays come up again), but coming too soon I went out again and walked all up and down the Charterhouse yard [Map] and Aldersgate street. At last came back again and went in, where I was led by a seaman that knew me, but is here as a servant, up to the tireing-room, where strange the confusion and disorder that there is among them in fitting themselves, especially here, where the clothes are very poor, and the actors but common fellows.
The Pardon Churchyard, Charterhouse was used for felons and suicides, and "the priory cart" used for carrying them. It belonged to Clerkenwell Priory [Map].
Chronicle of Greyfriars. 25th March 1537. Also this yere the 25th day of March the Lincolnshire men that was with Bishop Makerell was brought out of Newgate unto the Guild-hall in ropes, and there had their judgment to be drawn, hanged, and headed and quartered, and so was the 29th of March after, the which was on Maundy Thursday, and all their quarters with their heads was buried at Pardon church yard in the friary.