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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
Murder is in Death.
In 1210 Maud "Lady of Hay" St Valery Baroness Bramber [aged 55] starved to death at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map].
In 1210 William de Braose was starved to death at Corfe Castle, Dorset [Map].
In 1213 Maud de Clare [aged 29] starved to death.
In February 1332 Walter Liath de Burgh starved to death whilst imprisoned by his cousin William Donn Burgh 3rd Earl of Ulster [aged 19]. Walter's sister Gylle de Burgh planned William's assassination in revenge.
On 26th March 1402 David Stewart 1st Duke Rothesay [aged 23] starved to death.
In July 1182 Maria Komnene [aged 30] was fatally poisoned, probably on the orders of his wife's step-mother Maria of Antioch, who would also poison her husband Renier of Montferrat [aged 20] a year later.
In 1183 Renier of Montferrat [aged 21] was fatally poisoned, as his wife Maria Komnene had been a year before, probably on the orders of his wife's step-mother Maria of Antioch.
Before 2nd August 1218 Louis II Count Loon was fatally poisoned. His brother Henry [aged 82] succeeded Count Loon.
On 2nd August 1218 Henry Count Loon [aged 82] was fatally poisoned a few days after his brother had been. His brother Arnold succeeded III Count Loon.
In 1777 Catherine Bradford was fatally poisoned with arsenic by a servant according to the plaque at a Cheltenham church.
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.
Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback format.
On 29th August 1780 Theodosius Boughton 7th Baronet [aged 20] was was fatally poisoned by his brother-in-law Captain John Donnellan who was subsequently executed for the crime
William de de Clare was fatally poisoned by his steward whilst having breakfast with his brother Richard, who was also poisoned but survived, and Prince Edward.