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: Lindsay
In 1423 Alexander Lindsay 4th Earl Crawford was born to [his father] David Lindsay 3rd Earl Crawford (age 18).
In 1439 [his grandfather] Alexander Lindsay 2nd Earl Crawford died. His son [his father] David (age 34) succeeded 3rd Earl Crawford.
On 26th June 1439 Archibald Douglas 2nd Duke Touraine (age 49) died. His son William (age 15) succeeded 3rd Duke Touraine, 3rd Earl Wigtown, 6th Lord Douglas, 3rd Lord Annandale, 3rd Lord Galloway, 3rd Lord Bothwell. [his sister] Janet Lindsay Countess Wigtown (age 12) by marriage Countess Wigtown.
Before 1440 Alexander Lindsay 4th Earl Crawford (age 16) and Margaret Dunbar Countess Crawford (age 14) were married. He the son of David Lindsay 3rd Earl Crawford (age 34). They were fifth cousin once removed.
Before 1440 [his daughter] Elizabeth Lindsay Lady Drummond was born to Alexander Lindsay 4th Earl Crawford (age 16) and [his wife] Margaret Dunbar Countess Crawford (age 14). She married 1458 John Drummond 1st Lord Drummond and had issue.
In 1440 [his son] David Lindsay 1st Duke Montrose was born to Alexander Lindsay 4th Earl Crawford (age 17) and [his wife] Margaret Dunbar Countess Crawford (age 15). He married 1459 his half third cousin once removed Elizabeth Hamilton Duchess Montrose, daughter of James Hamilton 1st Lord Hamilton and Euphemia Graham Lady Hamilton, and had issue.
After 1440 [his son] Alexander Lindsay 7th Earl Crawford was born to Alexander Lindsay 4th Earl Crawford (age 17) and [his wife] Margaret Dunbar Countess Crawford (age 15).
On 24th January 1445 the Battle of Arbroath was fought between Clan Lindsay and Clans Ogilvy, Gordon, Oliphant, Seton and Forbes. [his father] David Lindsay 3rd Earl Crawford (age 40) was killed when attempting to prevent the battle by riding between the two armies in an attempt to call a truce. Unfortunately a member of the Clan Ogilvy, thinking the Earl was attacked threw his spear at the Earl, hitting him in the mouth, killing him instantly. Clan Lindsay victorious. His son Alexander (age 22) succeeded 4th Earl Crawford. [his wife] Margaret Dunbar Countess Crawford (age 20) by marriage Countess Crawford.
On 22nd February 1452 William Douglas 8th Earl Douglas 2nd Earl Avondale (age 27) was murdered by King James II of Scotland (age 21) at Edinburgh Castle [Map] for refusing to desist from conspiring with Alexander Lindsay 4th Earl Crawford (age 29). His brother James (age 26) succeeded 9th Earl Douglas, 3rd Earl Avondale.
On 18th May 1452 the Battle of Brechin was fought between supporters of King James II of Scotland (age 21) and his rellious nobility including the Black Douglases. Alexander Gordon 1st Earl Huntley defeated the rebels led by Alexander Lindsay 4th Earl Crawford (age 29) on behalf on the King. [his brother] John Lindsay (age 29), and the brothers William Gordon and Henry Gordon, were killed.
In 1453 Alexander Lindsay 4th Earl Crawford (age 30) died. His son David (age 13) succeeded 5th Earl Crawford.
Before January 1499 [his former wife] Margaret Dunbar Countess Crawford (age 74) died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 12 Grand Son of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England
Kings Gwynedd: Great x 8 Grand Son of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd
Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 14 Grand Son of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth
Kings Powys: Great x 9 Grand Son of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys
Kings England: Great x 7 Grand Son of King John of England
Kings Scotland: Great x 11 Grand Son of King Duncan I of Scotland
Kings Franks: Great x 19 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks
Kings France: Great x 12 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 17 Grand Son of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 3 Grandfather: David Lindsay of Crawford
Great x 2 Grandfather: Alexander Lindsay of Glenesk
Great x 1 Grandfather: David Lindsay 1st Earl Crawford
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Stewart 6th High Steward 
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Stewart of Ralstoun
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Graham of Abercorn 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Marjory Stewart
GrandFather: Alexander Lindsay 2nd Earl Crawford 5 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: James Stewart 5th High Steward
Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Stewart 6th High Steward
Great x 2 Grandfather: King Robert II of Scotland 
3 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: King Robert the Bruce I of Scotland 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Marjorie Bruce 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabella Mar Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 1 Grandmother: Elizabeth Stewart Countess Crawford 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John of England
Great x 4 Grandfather: William Earl of Ross
Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh 4th Earl Ross
Great x 2 Grandmother: Euphemia Ross Queen Consort Scotland
Great x 4 Grandfather: John Graham of Abercorn
Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret Graham Countess Ross
Father: David Lindsay 3rd Earl Crawford 6 x Great Grand Son of King John of England
Alexander Lindsay 4th Earl Crawford 7 x Great Grand Son of King John of England