Biography of Christopher Wandesford 1st Viscount Castlecomer 1656-1707

On 30th September 1651 [his father] Christopher Wandesford 1st Baronet (age 23) and [his mother] Eleanor Lowther Lady Wandesford (age 21) were married.

On 19th August 1656 Christopher Wandesford 1st Viscount Castlecomer was born to [his father] Christopher Wandesford 1st Baronet (age 28) and [his mother] Eleanor Lowther Lady Wandesford (age 26).

On 5th August 1662 [his father] Christopher Wandesford 1st Baronet (age 34) was created 1st Baronet Wandesford of Kirklington. [his mother] Eleanor Lowther Lady Wandesford (age 32) by marriage Lady Wandesford of Kirklington.

In 1679 Christopher Wandesford 1st Viscount Castlecomer (age 22) was elected MP Ripon which seat he held until 1681.

Before 2nd March 1684 Christopher Wandesford 1st Viscount Castlecomer (age 27) and Elizabeth Montagu were married. They were third cousin once removed.

On 2nd March 1684 [his son] Christopher Wandesford 2nd Viscount Castlecomer was born to Christopher Wandesford 1st Viscount Castlecomer (age 27) and [his wife] Elizabeth Montagu. He married 31st May 1715 his fifth cousin Frances Pelham Viscountess Castlecomer, daughter of Thomas Pelham 1st Baron Pelham of Laughton and Grace Holles, and had issue.

In 1687 [his son] George Wandesford 4th Viscount Castlecomer was born to Christopher Wandesford 1st Viscount Castlecomer (age 30) and [his wife] Elizabeth Montagu.

In 1687 [his father] Christopher Wandesford 1st Baronet (age 59) died. His son Christopher (age 30) succeeded 2nd Baronet Wandesford of Kirklington.

In 1689 Christopher Wandesford 1st Viscount Castlecomer (age 32) was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire.

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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In 1690 Christopher Wandesford 1st Viscount Castlecomer (age 33) was appointed High Sheriff of Yorkshire.

On 15th March 1707 [his father] Christopher Wandesford 1st Baronet was created 1st Viscount Castlecomer, 1st Baron Wandesford.

On 15th September 1707 Christopher Wandesford 1st Viscount Castlecomer (age 51) died. His son Christopher (age 23) succeeded 2nd Viscount Castlecomer, 2nd Baron Wandesford, 3rd Baronet Wandesford of Kirklington.