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: Burke
Maternal Family Tree: Ursula St Barbe 1532-1602
In 1583 Philip Sidney [aged 28] and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 16] were married. They were half sixth cousins.
In 1590 Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex [aged 24] and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 23] were married. She by marriage Countess Essex. He the son of Walter Devereux 1st Earl Essex and Lettice Knollys Countess Essex and Leicester [aged 46]. They were half fourth cousin once removed.
In 1603 [his father] Richard Burke 4th Earl Clanricarde 1st Earl St Albans [aged 31] and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 36] were married. He the son of [his grandfather] Ulrick Burke 3rd Earl Clanricarde.
In 1604 Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde was born to Richard Burke 4th Earl Clanricarde 1st Earl St Albans [aged 32] and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 37].
In 1604 [his half-brother] Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 12] was restored 3rd Earl Essex, 4th Viscount Hereford, 13th Baron Ferrers of Chartley, 10th Baron Bourchier although it isn't clear whether the latter three titles were forfeit when his father was executed in 1601. [his sister-in-law] Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset [aged 13] by marriage Countess Essex.
In 1612 [his half-sister] Elizabeth Sidney Countess Rutland [aged 27] died. She was buried at St Mary the Virgin Church, Bottesford, Leicestershire [Map].
On 25th September 1613 [his half-brother] Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 22] and [his sister-in-law] Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset [aged 23] marriage annulled by King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 47]. She married Robert Carr 1st Earl Somerset [aged 26] three months later.
On 3rd March 1617 [his brother-in-law] William Seymour 2nd Duke of Somerset [aged 29] and [his half-sister] Frances Devereux Duchess of Somerset [aged 17] were married at Drayton Bassett, Staffordshire [Map]. She the daughter of Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 50]. They were fourth cousins. He a great x 3 grandson of King Henry VII of England and Ireland.
In 1622 Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde [aged 18] and Anne Compton Lady Rushout were married. She the daughter of William Compton 1st Earl of Northampton and Elizabeth Spencer Countess Northampton [aged 46]. He the son of Richard Burke 4th Earl Clanricarde 1st Earl St Albans [aged 50] and Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 55].
Adam Murimuth's Continuation and Robert of Avesbury’s 'The Wonderful Deeds of King Edward III'
This volume brings together two of the most important contemporary chronicles for the reign of Edward III and the opening phases of the Hundred Years’ War. Written in Latin by English clerical observers, these texts provide a vivid and authoritative window into the political, diplomatic, and military history of fourteenth-century England and its continental ambitions. Adam Murimuth Continuatio's Chronicarum continues an earlier chronicle into the mid-fourteenth century, offering concise but valuable notices on royal policy, foreign relations, and ecclesiastical affairs. Its annalistic structure makes it especially useful for establishing chronology and tracing the development of events year by year. Complementing it, Robert of Avesbury’s De gestis mirabilibus regis Edwardi tertii is a rich documentary chronicle preserving letters, treaties, and official records alongside narrative passages. It is an indispensable source for understanding Edward III’s claim to the French crown, the conduct of war, and the mechanisms of medieval diplomacy. Together, these works offer scholars, students, and enthusiasts a reliable and unembellished account of a transformative period in English and European history. Essential for anyone interested in medieval chronicles, the Hundred Years’ War, or the reign of Edward III.
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Before 19th August 1622 [his brother-in-law] Spencer Compton 2nd Earl of Northampton [aged 21] and Mary Beaumont Countess of Northampton [aged 18] were married. He the son of [his father-in-law] William Compton 1st Earl of Northampton and [his mother-in-law] Elizabeth Spencer Countess Northampton [aged 47].
On 11th March 1630 [his half-brother] Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 39] and [his sister-in-law] Elizabeth Paulet Countess Essex were married. She by marriage Countess Essex. He the son of Robert Devereux 2nd Earl Essex and [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 63]. They were fourth cousins.
On 24th June 1630 [his father-in-law] William Compton 1st Earl of Northampton died. His son [his brother-in-law] Spencer [aged 29] succeeded 2nd Earl of Northampton, 3rd Baron Compton of Compton in Warwickshire. Mary Beaumont Countess of Northampton [aged 26] by marriage Countess of Northampton.
On 17th February 1633 [his mother] Frances Walsingham Countess Essex [aged 66] died.
On 12th November 1635 [his father] Richard Burke 4th Earl Clanricarde 1st Earl St Albans [aged 63] died. His son Ulick [aged 31] succeeded 5th Earl Clanricarde, 2nd Earl St Albans. Thomas Wentworth 1st Earl Strafford [aged 42] was blamed for his death making an enemy of Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde and his half-brother (they shared the same mother Frances Walsingham Countess Essex) Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 44].
On 23rd October 1642 the Battle of Edge Hill was fought at Edge Hill [Map]. The Royal army was commanded by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 41] (with his son King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland [aged 12] present), Prince Rupert Palatinate Simmern 1st Duke Cumberland [aged 22] and Richard Spencer [aged 49] commanded the army that included Maurice Palatinate Simmern [aged 21], Richard Byron 2nd Baron Byron [aged 36], Lucius Carey 2nd Viscount Falkland [aged 32], Charles Cavendish [aged 22], Henry Newton aka Puckering 3rd Baronet [aged 24], [his brother-in-law] Spencer Compton 2nd Earl of Northampton [aged 41], Thomas Salusbury 2nd Baronet [aged 30], John Byron 1st Baron Byron [aged 43] and William Feilding 1st Earl Denbigh [aged 55].
George Stewart 9th Seigneur D'Aubigny [aged 24] was killed.
Of the Parliamentary army Basil Feilding 2nd Earl Denbigh [aged 34] and [his half-brother] Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 51]. Oliver St John 5th Baron St John [aged 39] was wounded.
Samuel Sandes [aged 27] commanded a troop of horse.
Richard Sandes [aged 26] was killed.
Thomas Strickland [aged 20] was knighted on the field for his gallantry.
Henry Hunloke 1st Baronet [aged 24] was knighted by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland.
William Dugdale [aged 37] witnessed the battle and subsequently surveyed the battlefield.
John Hinton [aged 38] was present.
Edward Verney [aged 52] was killed.
John Assheton [aged 29] was killed.
Robert Bertie 1st Earl Lindsey [aged 59] was killed. His son Montagu [aged 34] succeeded 2nd Earl Lindsey, 15th Baron Willoughby de Eresby.
William Pennyman 1st Baronet [aged 35] commanded a regiment, of which he served as Colonel, which he led for the King.
Edward Stradling 2nd Baronet [aged 42] fought for the King, was captured imprisoned for seven months, and died a month after his release.
On 20th September 1643 the First Battle of Newbury was fought at Newbury, Berkshire [Map] with King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland [aged 42] commanding the Royalist army and [his half-brother] Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 52] commanding the victorious Parliamentary army. For King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland John Byron 1st Baron Byron [aged 44] fought with distinction.
Henry Bertie was killed.
Robert Dormer 1st Earl Carnarvon [aged 33] was killed. His son Charles [aged 10] succeeded 2nd Earl Carnarvon, 3rd Baron Dormer of Wyng in Buckinghamshire, 3rd Baronet Dormer of Wyng in Buckinghamshire.
William Villiers 2nd Viscount Grandison [aged 29] was killed. His brother John succeeded 3rd Viscount Grandison.
Edward Villiers [aged 23] fought.
Lucius Carey 2nd Viscount Falkland [aged 33] was killed. His son Lucius [aged 11] succeeded 3rd Viscount Falkland.
Richard Neville [aged 28] served under the Earl Carnarvon. Carnarvon was killed and Neville took up the command as a Colonel of Horse.
Major General Charles Fleetwood [aged 25] was wounded.
On 14th September 1646 [his half-brother] Robert Devereux 3rd Earl Essex [aged 55] died. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map]. Earl Essex extinct. His half first cousin twice removed Walter [aged 71] succeeded 5th Viscount Hereford. Baron Ferrers of Chartley, Baron Bourchier abeyant.
John Evelyn's Diary. 29th June 1652. We went to see the house of my Lord Clanrickarde [aged 48] at Summer hill, near Tunbridge (now given to that villain, Bradshawe [aged 49], who condemned the King [aged 22]). 'Tis situated on an eminent hill, with a park; but has nothing else extraordinary.
In July 1657 Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde [aged 53] died. His first cousin Richard succeeded 6th Earl Clanricarde. Earl St Albans extinct.
In 1675 [his former wife] Anne Compton Lady Rushout died.
Letters of Horace Walpole. 5th August 1752. Now begins our chapter of woes. The inn was full of farmers and tobacco; and the next morning, when we were bound for Penshurst, Kent [Map], the only man in the town who had two horses would not let us have them, because the roads, as he said, were so bad. We were forced to send to the wells for others, which did not arrive till half the day was spent-we all the while up to the head and ears in a market of sheep and oxen. A mile from the town we climbed up a hill to see Summer Hill335, the residence of Grammont's Princess of Babylon.336 There is now scarce a road to it: the Paladins of those times were too valorous to fear breaking their necks; and I much apprehend that la Monsery and the fair Mademoiselle Hamilton337, must have mounted their palfreys and rode behind their gentlemen-ushers upon pillions to the Wells. The house is little better than a farm, but has been an excellent one, and is entire, though out of repair. I have drawn the front of it to show you, which you are to draw over again to show me. It stands high, commands a vast landscape beautifully wooded, and has quantities of large old trees to shelter itself, some of which might be well spared to open views.
From Summer Hill we went to Lamberhurst to dine; near which, that is, at the distance of three miles, up and down impracticable hills, in a most retired vale, such as Pope describes in the last Dunciad, "Where slumber abbots, purple as their vines,"
Note 335. "May 29, 1652. We went to see the house of my Lord Clanrickard, at Summer Hill, near Tunbridge; now given to that villain Bradshaw, who condemned the King. 'Tis situated on an eminent hill, with a park, but has nothing else extraordinary." Evelyn, vol. ii. p. 58.-E.
Note 336. Lady Margaret Macarthy, daughter and heiress of the Marquis of Clanricarde, wife of Charles, Lord Muskerry.-E.
Note 337. Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Sir George Hamilton, fourth son of the first Earl of Abercorn, and niece of to the first Duke of Ormond, celebrated in the "Memoires de Grammont" (written by her brother, Count Anthony Hamilton,) for her beauty and accomplishments. She married Philip, Count de Grammont, by whom she had two daughters; the eldest married Henry Howard, created Earl of Stafford, and the youngest took the veil.-E.
[his daughter] Margaret Burke Lady Muskerry was born to Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde and Anne Compton Lady Rushout. She married (1) her first cousin three times removed Charles Maccarthy Viscount Muskerry, son of Donough MacCarty 1st Earl Clancarty and Ellen Butler Countess Clancarty, and had issue (2) 1676 Robert Villiers (3) before 14th August 1698 Robert "Beau Handsome" Fielding.
Kings Wessex: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 16 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 21 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 17 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 10 Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 17 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 24 Grand Son of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 19 Grand Son of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 22 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 4 Grandfather: Ulick Fionn Burke 6th Lord Clanricarde
Great x 3 Grandfather: Richard Mór Burke 9th Lord Clanricarde
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ulick na "gCeann aka of the Heads" Burke 1st Earl Clanricarde
Great x 1 Grandfather: Richard Burke 2nd Earl Clanricarde
GrandFather: Ulrick Burke 3rd Earl Clanricarde
Father: Richard Burke 4th Earl Clanricarde 1st Earl St Albans
Ulick Burke 1st Marquess Clanricarde 10 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandfather: James Walsingham
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Walsingham
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Writtle
Great x 2 Grandmother: Eleanor Writtle
GrandFather: Francis Walsingham 8 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas Denny 
Great x 3 Grandfather: William Denny
Great x 2 Grandfather: Edmund Denny
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joyce Denny 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Troutbeck
Great x 3 Grandfather: Robert Troutbeck 5 x Great Grand Son of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Margaret Stanley Baroness Grey Codnor 
4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 2 Grandmother: Mary Troutbeck 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Mother: Frances Walsingham Countess Essex 9 x Great Grand Daughter of King Edward I of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Thomas St Barbe
Great x 3 Grandfather: John St Barbe
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard St Barbe
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry St Barbe of Ashington Somerset
GrandMother: Ursula St Barbe