Memoires of Jacques du Clercq

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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St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover, Cheshire, Welsh March, England, British Isles [Map]

St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover is in Over Peover, Cheshire, Churches in Cheshire.

Exterior of St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].

In 1410 John Mainwaring [aged 66] died. On 6th April 1418 Margaret Stafford [aged 65] died. Both buried at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].

Monument at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map]. Camail and Jupon Period. IHC NASARE Lettering. Hip Belt. Lancastrian Esses Collar. Woman Esses Collar.

John Mainwaring: Around 1344 he was born to William "The Elder" IV Mainwaring in Over Peover, Cheshire. Before 1410 John Mainwaring and Margaret Stafford were married.

Margaret Stafford: Around 1345 she was born to John Stafford and Margaret Stafford.

After 1456. St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map]. Monument to Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover [deceased] and Margery Venables [aged 87]. Early Plate Bascinet and Gorget Period. He with a Lancastrian Esses Collar and IHC NASARE Lettering his head resting on an Ass's Head Crest. She wearing a mitred crespine headress. Possiby Sutton and Prentys.

Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover: Around 1363 he was born to William "The Elder" IV Mainwaring. Before 1390 Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover and Catherine Harcourt were married. In 1391 Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover and Margery Venables were married at Kinderton, Middleton. In 1456 Randle Mainwaring of Over Peover died.

Margery Venables: Around 1369 she was born to Hugh Venables of Kinderton. Around 1387 Richard Bulkeley and she were married. In 1459 Margery Venables died.

In 1516 John Mainwaring of Over Peover [aged 46] died. In 1529 Katherine Honford [aged 45] died. Monument at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].

John Mainwaring of Over Peover: Around 1470 he was born to John Hankyn Mainwaring. Before 1488 John Mainwaring of Over Peover and Katherine Honford were married. They were third cousin once removed.

Katherine Honford: In 1471 she was born to John Holford and Jane Savage.

On 11th April 1573 Philip Mainwaring [aged 73] died. He was buried at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].

Philip Mainwaring: Around 1500 he was born to John Mainwaring of Over Peover and Katherine Honford. In or before 1553 Philip Mainwaring and Anne Leycester were married. The difference in their ages was 32 years.

On 10th December 1647 Philip Mainwaring [aged 56] died. He was buried at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].

In 1656 Ellen Minshull [aged 61] died.

Philip Mainwaring: In 1591 he was born to Randulph Mainwaring of Over Peover and Jane Smythe. Coefficient of inbreeding 1.64%. Before 7th April 1623 Philip Mainwaring and Ellen Minshull were married.

Ellen Minshull: In 1595 she was born to Edward Minshull of Stoke.

Around 1650. North Chapel of St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].

On 4th November 1702 John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet [aged 46] died. His son Thomas [aged 21] succeeded 3rd Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.

On 4th November 1719 Elizabeth Whitley died.

Monument at St Lawrence's Church, Over Peover [Map].

John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet: On 8th May 1656 he was born to Thomas Mainwaring 1st Baronet and Mary Delves. Before 7th August 1681 John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley were married. They were fourth cousins. On 28th June 1689 Thomas Mainwaring 1st Baronet died. His son John succeeded 2nd Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.

Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet: On 7th August 1681 he was born to John Mainwaring 2nd Baronet and Elizabeth Whitley. Before 20th September 1726 Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet and Martha Lloyd were married. On 20th September 1726 Thomas Mainwaring 3rd Baronet died. His nephew Henry succeeded 4th Baronet Mainwaring of Over Peover.