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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Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire is in Gloucestershire.
In 1253 Walter Rodney was born at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire. He married Katherine Fitzwarin and had issue.
In 1255 Katherine Fitzwarin was born at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire. She married Walter Rodney and had issue.
In 1279 Thomas Rodney was born to Walter Rodney (age 26) and Katherine Fitzwarin (age 24) at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire.
In 1331 John Rodney was born to Thomas Rodney (age 26) and Katharine Cheddar at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire.
In 1333 Jane Cressy was born to Hugh Cressy (age 19) at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire.
Around 1506 John Berkeley was born to Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford (age 36) and Elizabeth Coningsby (age 26) at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire. He married 1531 his sixth cousin Isabel Denys and had issue.
In 1514 Richard Berkeley of Stoke Gifford (age 44) died at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire.
In 1531 Richard Berkeley was born to John Berkeley (age 25) and Isabel Denys (age 22) at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire. He married (1) Elizabeth Jermy (2) Elizabeth Ann Reade and had issue.
In 1605 Richard Berkeley (age 74) died at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire.
The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.
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John Rodney was born to Thomas Rodney at Stoke Giffard, Gloucestershire. He married (1) Katherine Cheddar and had issue (2) Alice Cheddar.