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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Corby Castle, Cumberland is in Corby, Cumberland, Castles in Cumberland.
On 4th September 1591 Elizabeth Howard [aged 32] died at Corby Castle, Cumberland [Map].
On 29th December 1643 William Howard was born to Francis Howard [aged 55] at Corby Castle, Cumberland [Map].
In 1669 Thomas Howard was born to William Howard [aged 25] at Corby Castle, Cumberland [Map]. He married (1) 1703 his fifth cousin Barbara Lowther, daughter of John Lowther 1st Viscount Lonsdale and Katherine Thynne Viscountess Lonsdale (2) 1720 his fourth cousin twice removed Barbara Musgrave and had issue.
On 2nd July 1757 Henry Howard was born to Philip Howard [aged 26] at Corby Castle, Cumberland [Map]. He married (1) 22nd November 1788 Maria Archer, daughter of Andrew Archer 2nd Baron Archer and Sarah West Baroness Archer (2) 18th March 1793 Catherine Marie Mary Charlotte Neave and had issue.
On 9th September 1789 Maria Archer [aged 21] died in childbirth at Corby Castle, Cumberland [Map]. Monument in Holy Trinity Church, Wetheral [Map] sculpted by Joseph Nollekens [aged 52] costing £1500. He regarded it as his finest work; entitled Faith. When Nollekens realized that his work was destined for so remote a part of the Kingdom it is said that he burst into tears as he felt so few people would see it. This work is represented on the Nollekens Monument in Paddington Parish Church by William Behnes. On seeing the sculpture Wordsworth wrote "XXXIX Monument Of Mrs Howard By Nollekens In Wetheral Church, Near Corby, On The Banks Of The Eden".
Maria Archer: Around 1768 she was born to Andrew Archer 2nd Baron Archer and Sarah West Baroness Archer. On 22nd November 1788 Henry Howard and she were married.
In 1810 Philip Howard [aged 79] died at Corby Castle, Cumberland [Map].
On 1st May 1842 Henry Howard [aged 84] died at Corby Castle, Cumberland [Map].
Maria Howard was born to Philip Howard at Corby Castle, Cumberland [Map]. She married 6th August 1786 George William Petre, son of Robert Edward Petre 9th Baron Petre and Anne Howard, and had issue.