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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Paternal Family Tree: Oxley
In 1818 John Francis Oxley was born to [his father] Henry Oxley at Beeston, Nottinghamshire.
On 23rd March 1840 John Francis Oxley (age 22) and Isabella Richardson (age 20) were married. He a Cloth-dresser. Both resident at Woodhouse. His father's name Henry Oxley. He a Cloth-dresser. Her father's name William Richardson.
1841. 1841 Census Yorkshire Beeston. Beeston, Leeds.
John Francis Oxley (age 23). 20. Flax Mill.
[his wife] Isabella Richardson (age 21). 20.
Isabella Richardson: On or before 30th May 1819 she was born to William Richardson. She was baptised on 30th May 1819 at Beeston, Leeds. On 23rd March 1840 John Francis Oxley and she were married. He a Cloth-dresser. Both resident at Woodhouse. His father's name Henry Oxley. He a Cloth-dresser. Her father's name William Richardson.
Around 1843 [his son] William Oxley was born to John Francis Oxley (age 25) and [his wife] Isabella Richardson (age 23).
Around 1846 [his daughter] Martha Elizabeth Oxley was born to John Francis Oxley (age 28) and [his wife] Isabella Richardson (age 26).
In 1848 [his son] John Oxley was born to John Francis Oxley (age 30) and [his wife] Isabella Richardson (age 28). He married in or before 1872 Caroline m Oxley and had issue.
30th March 1851. 1851 Census Yorkshire Leeds St Saviours Ellerby Street. 10 Ellerby Street.
John Francis Oxley (age 33). Head. 33.
[his wife] Isabella Richardson (age 31). Wife. 32.
[his son] William Oxley (age 8). Son. 8.
[his daughter] Martha Elizabeth Oxley (age 5). Daughter. 5.
[his son] John Oxley (age 3). Son. 3.
William Oxley: Around 1843 he was born to John Francis Oxley and Isabella Richardson.
Martha Elizabeth Oxley: Around 1846 she was born to John Francis Oxley and Isabella Richardson.
On 30th July 1852 [his son] Henry Oxley was born to John Francis Oxley (age 34) and [his wife] Isabella Richardson (age 33) at 10 Ellerby Street. He was baptised on 26th September 1852 at St Saviour's Church, Leeds. He married 4th July 1871 Mary Hannah Bottomley and had issue.