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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Around 1775 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 19]. Portrait of Louise Marie de Bourbon Duchess of Orléans [aged 21]
Louise Marie de Bourbon Duchess of Orléans: On 13th March 1753 she was born to Louis de Bourbon Duke of Penthièvre. On 23rd June 1821 Louise Marie de Bourbon Duchess of Orléans died.
In 1781 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 25]. Portrait of "Jeanne Bécu Comtesse du Barry [aged 37]".
Jeanne Bécu Comtesse du Barry: On 19th August 1743 she was born illegitimately to Unknown Father and Anne Bécu, a seamstress. On 1st September 1768 Guillaume Dubarry and she were married. A marriage of convenience arranged so that she would have sufficient social standing to become the maîtresse-en-titre of Louis XV King France. On 8th December 1793 Jeanne Bécu Comtesse du Barry was guillotined on the Place de la Révolution. On the way to the guillotine, she collapsed in the tumbrel and cried, "You are going to hurt me! Why?!" Terrified, she screamed for mercy and begged the watching crowd for help. Her last words to the executioner are said to have been: «De grâce, monsieur le bourreau, encore un petit moment!» – "One more moment, Mr. Executioner, I beg you!" She was buried in the Madeleine Cemetery
In 1782 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 26]. Portrait of Yolande Martine Gabrielle Polastron Duchess Gramont [aged 32].
Yolande Martine Gabrielle Polastron Duchess Gramont: On 8th September 1749 she was born in Paris [Map]. On 7th July 1767 Jules 1st Duke of Polignac and she were married. On 9th December 1793 she died.
In 1782 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 26]. Portrait of "Jeanne Bécu Comtesse du Barry [aged 38]".
After 1782 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 26]. Self-Portrait in a Straw Hat. Inspired by the Peter Paul Rubens painting "Le Chapeau de Paille".
After 1782 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 26]. Portrait of Maria Joséphine of Savoy [aged 28].
1783. Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 27]. Portrait of Yolande Martine Gabrielle Polastron Duchess Gramont [aged 33].
1783. Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 27]. Portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette of France [aged 27] en chemise. This controversial portrait was considered by her critics to show improperly informal attire for a queen.
1788. Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 32]. Portrait of Queen Marie Antoinette of France [aged 32].
Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough
A canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: 'In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed.'
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In 1790 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 34]. Portrait of Frederick Augustus Hervey 4th Earl Bristol [aged 59].
In 1791 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 35]. Portrait of Hyacinthe Gabrielle Roland Marchioness Wellesley [aged 25].
In 1791 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 35]. Self-Portrait.
Around 1794 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 38]. Portrait of Aglae de Polignac "Guichette" Duchess Gramont [aged 25].
Aglae de Polignac "Guichette" Duchess Gramont: On 7th May 1768 she was born to Jules 1st Duke of Polignac and Yolande Martine Gabrielle Polastron Duchess Gramont. On 16th April 1780 or 11th July 1780 Antoine 8th Duke Gramont and she were married at the Palace of Versailles. She the daughter of Jules 1st Duke of Polignac and Yolande Martine Gabrielle Polastron Duchess Gramont. He the son of Antoine 7th Duke Gramont. In 1801 Antoine 7th Duke Gramont died. His son Antoine succeeded 8th Duke Gramont. She by marriage Duchess Gramont. On 30th March 1803 Aglae de Polignac "Guichette" Duchess Gramont died in a house fire at her home in Edinburgh.
In 1798 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 42]. Portrait of Charles Chetwynd-Talbot 2nd Earl Talbot [aged 20].
1804. Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 48]. Portrait of Jane Wilson.
Jane Wilson: she was born to Thomas Spencer Wilson 6th Baronet. On 10th August 1790 Spencer Perceval and she were married. They had eloped and were married by special license as a consequence of her father not approving of the Marriage. He the son of John Perceval 2nd Earl Egmont and Catherine Compton Countess Egmont. In 1815 Henry William Carr and she were married. On 26th January 1844 Jane Wilson died.
Before 1815 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 59]. Portrait of Amy Lyon aka Emma Hart Lady Hamilton [aged 49]. In the collection of the Lady Lever Art Gallery [Map].
Before 11th September 1821 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 66]. Portrait of Varvara Nikolayevna Golitsyn [aged 55].
Varvara Nikolayevna Golitsyn: In 1766 she was born to Nikolai Fyodorovich Golitsyn. On 11th September 1821 she died.
Before 1839 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 83]. Portrait of Elizabeth Conyngham [aged 39].
Elizabeth Conyngham: On 16th February 1799 she was born to Henry Conyngham 1st Marquess Conyngham and Elizabeth Denison Marchioness Conyngham. On 2nd March 1826 Charles Gordon 10th Marquess Huntly and she were married. She the daughter of Henry Conyngham 1st Marquess Conyngham and Elizabeth Denison Marchioness Conyngham. He the son of George Gordon 9th Marquess Huntly and Catherine Anne Cope. In 1839 Elizabeth Conyngham died.
Before 30th March 1842 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 86]. Portrait of Corisande Armandine Sophie Léonie Hélène Gramont Countess Tankerville [aged 59].
Corisande Armandine Sophie Léonie Hélène Gramont Countess Tankerville: On 5th October 1782 she was born to Antoine 8th Duke Gramont and Aglae de Polignac "Guichette" Duchess Gramont. On 28th July 1806 Charles Augustus Bennet 5th Earl Tankerville and she were married at Devonshire House. She the daughter of Antoine 8th Duke Gramont and Aglae de Polignac "Guichette" Duchess Gramont. He the son of Charles Bennet 4th Earl Tankerville and Emma Colebrooke Countess Tankerville. On 10th December 1822 Charles Bennet 4th Earl Tankerville died. His son Charles succeeded 5th Earl Tankerville, 6th Baron Ossulston of Ossulston in Middlesex. She by marriage Countess Tankerville. On 23rd January 1865 she died.
Before 30th March 1842 Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun [aged 86]. Self-Portrait.