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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Earl Ashburham is in Earl.
On 14th May 1730 John Ashburnham 1st Earl Ashburnham [aged 43] was created 1st Earl Ashburham. Jemima Grey Countess Ashburham [aged 31] by marriage Countess Ashburham.
On 10th March 1737 John Ashburnham 1st Earl Ashburnham [aged 49] died. He was buried at St Peter's Church, Ashburnham [Map]. His son John [aged 12] succeeded 2nd Earl Ashburham, 4th Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex
On 25th June 1756 John Ashburnham 2nd Earl Ashburnham [aged 31] and Elizabeth Crowley Countess Ashburham were married. She by marriage Countess Ashburham. He the son of John Ashburnham 1st Earl Ashburnham and Jemima Grey Countess Ashburham.
On 8th April 1812 John Ashburnham 2nd Earl Ashburnham [aged 87] died. His son George [aged 51] succeeded 3rd Earl Ashburham, 5th Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex. Charlotte Percy Countess Ashburham [aged 36] by marriage Countess Ashburham.
On 27th October 1830 George Ashburnham 3rd Earl Ashburnham [aged 69] died. His son Bertram [aged 32] succeeded 4th Earl Ashburham, 6th Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex.
In 1840 Bertram Ashburnham 4th Earl Ashburnham [aged 42] and Katherine Charlotte Baillie Countess Ashburnham [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Countess Ashburham. They had four daughters and seven sons. The difference in their ages was 21 years. He the son of George Ashburnham 3rd Earl Ashburnham and Charlotte Percy Countess Ashburham [aged 64].
On 22nd June 1878 Bertram Ashburnham 4th Earl Ashburnham [aged 80] died. His son Bertram [aged 37] succeeded 5th Earl Ashburham, 7th Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex.
In 1888 Bertram Ashburnham 5th Earl Ashburnham [aged 47] and Emily Chapman Countess Asburnham were married. She by marriage Countess Ashburham. He the son of Bertram Ashburnham 4th Earl Ashburnham and Katherine Charlotte Baillie Countess Ashburnham [aged 68].
On 15th January 1913 Bertram Ashburnham 5th Earl Ashburnham [aged 72] died in Paris. His brother Thomas [aged 57] succeeded 6th Earl Ashburham, 8th Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex.
On 12th May 1924 Thomas Ashburnham 6th Earl Ashburnham [aged 69] died. He was buried at St Peter's Church, Ashburnham [Map]. Earl Ashburham, Baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham in Sussex extinct.