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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Church of All Hallows, Great Mitton is in Great Mitton, Lancashire [Map], Churches in Lancashire.
On 26th July 1594 Richard Shireburn (age 72) died. He was buried in Church of All Hallows, Great Mitton [Map]. Monument sculpted by Richard and Gabriel Royley of Burton-upon-Trent. Bongrace. Unicorn Pendant. Ruff. Dogs chewing at her dress. Dress Folds at Feet. Chunky Lions Mane. Chest with Weepers holding Shields. Dogs chewing at her dress with Studded Collar.
After 1667 recumbent effigies of Richard Shireburn (age 76), his son Richard Shireburn (age 41) and his wife Isabel Ingleby (age 40) and at Church of All Hallows, Great Mitton [Map].
Richard Shireburn: In 1591 he was born to Richard Shireburn and Catherine Stourton. On 11th February 1667 Richard Shireburn died
Richard Shireburn: Richard Shireburn and Isabel Ingleby were married. In 1626 he was born to Richard Shireburn. On 16th August 1689 Richard Shireburn died.
Isabel Ingleby: In 1627 she was born to John Ingleby of Lawkland. On 2nd April 1693 she died.
After 1702. Monument to Richard Francis Shireburn (age 8). Church of All Hallows, Great Mitton [Map]. Sculpted by William Stanton (age 63). Figure of boy against Reredos background, with Cherubs.
Richard Francis Shireburn: On 3rd December 1693 he was born to Nicholas Shireburn 1st Baronet. On 8th June 1702 Richard Francis Shireburn died.
On 14th December 1717 Nicholas Shireburn 1st Baronet (age 59) died. Monument in Church of All Hallows, Great Mitton [Map]. Baronet Shireburn extinct. His daughter Maria Shireburn Duchess Norfolk (age 25) inherited Stonyhurst.
Nicholas Shireburn 1st Baronet: On 29th July 1658 he was born to Richard Shireburn and Isabel Ingleby. On 4th February 1685 Nicholas Shireburn 1st Baronet was created 1st Baronet Shireburn. Around 1706 Thomas Howard 8th Duke of Norfolk was in secret negotiations for a marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Bruce, 2nd earl of Ailesbury. When her brother, Charles, the future 3rd earl, discovered the intrigue he was horrified. He insisted that he would never give his consent to her marrying a Catholic, though he seems to have been just as worried about the 'worldly concerns' of Catholics who were 'in a very precarious way', as about their religious beliefs, citing the bill to limit their rights of inheritance which was then before Parliament. Instead, Norfolk began his pursuit of Maria, then only thirteen, daughter of Nicholas Shireburn 1st Baronet.
Maria Shireburn Duchess Norfolk: On 22nd November 1692 she was born to Nicholas Shireburn 1st Baronet. On 26th May 1709 Thomas Howard 8th Duke of Norfolk and she were married. She by marriage Duchess Norfolk. She bringing a large dowry of £30,000. She eventually left him after he changed his allegiance to George I rejecting the Jacobites. On 26th September 1754 Maria Shireburn Duchess Norfolk died. Her aunt Elizabeth Shireburn inherited Stonyhurst by which it became into the ownership of the Weld family.