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: Williams aka Cromwell
Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Bourchier 1598-1665
On 22nd August 1620 [her father] Oliver Cromwell [aged 21] and [her mother] Elizabeth Bourchier [aged 22] were married.
In 1637 Mary Cromwell Countess Fauconberg was born to Oliver Cromwell [aged 37] and Elizabeth Bourchier [aged 39].
On 28th July 1643 the Parliamentary arms commanded by [her father] Oliver Cromwell [aged 44] and the Royalist army commanded by Charles Cavendish [aged 23] fought at the Battle of Gainsborough at North Scarle.
Charles Cavendish was killed by James Berry. He was buried at Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire [Map].
On 4th August 1643 the Royalist Newdigate Poyntz [aged 34] died probably from wounds received at the battle.
Between 3rd September 1649 and 11th September 1649, Drogheda [Map], under the command of the Royalist Arthur Aston [aged 59], was besieged by the Parliamentary army commanded by [her father] Oliver Cromwell [aged 50].
On 11th September 1649 Oliver Cromwell had a letter delivered to Sir Arthur Aston, which proposed his Aston's surrender; Aston refused.
At 5:00 PM Cromwell ordered simultaneous assaults on the southern and eastern breaches in the walls of Drogheda.
At the southern breach, the defenders counterattacked. The death of their commander, Colonel Wall, caused them to fall back, allowing further Parliamentary reinforcements to be funnelled into the breach. In the fighting at the walls some 150 Parliamentarian troops, including Colonel Castle, were killed.
After the death of Colonel Wall with more and more Parliamentary soldiers streaming into the breaches, the Royalist resistance at the walls collapsed.
In Cromwell's words, "In the heat of the action, I forbade them [his soldiers] to spare any that were in arms in the town...and, that night they put to the sword about two thousand men".
The execution of Royalists constinued as and when they were discovered.
Around one hundred Royalists were discovered in St Peter's Church - Cromwell ordered the church and those inside to be burned.
Arthur Aston was killed.
On 3rd July 1651 [her future husband] Thomas Belasyse 1st Earl Fauconberg [aged 24] and Mildred Saunderson were married. They were fourth cousin once removed.
On 18th April 1653 Thomas Belasyse 1st Viscount Fauconberg [aged 76] died. His grandson [her future husband] Thomas [aged 26] succeeded 2nd Viscount Faunconberg, 3rd Baronet Belasyse of Newborough.
On 16th December 1653 [her father] Oliver Cromwell [aged 54] was appointed Lord Protector.
In 1654 William Lockhart of Lee [aged 33] and Robina Sewster [aged 24] were married. She being a niece of [her father] Oliver Cromwell [aged 54].
Around 1657 John Michael Wright [aged 39]. Portrait of Mary Cromwell Countess Fauconberg [aged 20].
On 18th November 1657 Thomas Belasyse 1st Earl Fauconberg [aged 30] and Mary Cromwell Countess Fauconberg [aged 20] were married. She by marriage Viscountess Faunconberg. She the daughter of Oliver Cromwell [aged 58] and Elizabeth Bourchier [aged 59].
On 3rd September 1658 [her father] Oliver Cromwell [aged 59] died at Whitehall Palace [Map]. His son [her brother] Richard [aged 31] succeeded Lord Protector.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 22nd April 1661. King's Going from ye Tower to White Hall1. Up early and made myself as fine as I could, and put on my velvet coat, the first day that I put it on, though made half a year ago. And being ready, Sir W. Batten [aged 60], my Lady, and his two daughters and his son and wife, and Sir W. Pen [aged 39] and his son and I, went to Mr. Young's, the flag-maker, in Corne-hill2; and there we had a good room to ourselves, with wine and good cake, and saw the show very well.
In which it is impossible to relate the glory of this day, expressed in the clothes of them that rid, and their horses and horses clothes, among others, my Lord Sandwich's [aged 35]. Embroidery and diamonds were ordinary among them. The Knights of the Bath was a brave sight of itself; and their Esquires, among which Mr. Armiger was an Esquire to one of the Knights. Remarquable were the two men that represent the two Dukes of Normandy and Aquitane. The Bishops come next after Barons, which is the higher place; which makes me think that the next Parliament they will be called to the House of Lords. My Lord Monk [aged 52] rode bare after the King, and led in his hand a spare horse, as being Master of the Horse. The King, in a most rich embroidered suit and cloak, looked most noble. Wadlow3, the vintner, at the Devil [Map]; in Fleetstreet, did lead a fine company of soldiers, all young comely men, in white doublets. There followed the Vice-Chamberlain, Sir G. Carteret [aged 51], a company of men all like Turks; but I know not yet what they are for.
The streets all gravelled, and the houses hung with carpets before them, made brave show, and the ladies out of the windows, one of which over against us I took much notice of, and spoke of her, which made good sport among us. So glorious was the show with gold and silver, that we were not able to look at it, our eyes at last being so much overcome with it.
Both the King [aged 30] and the Duke of York [aged 27] took notice of us, as he saw us at the window. The show being ended, Mr. Young did give us a dinner, at which we were very merry, and pleased above imagination at what we have seen. Sir W. Batten going home, he and I called and drunk some mum4 and laid our wager about my Lady Faulconbridge's name5, which he says not to be Mary, and so I won above 20s. So home, where Will and the boy staid and saw the show upon Towre Hill, and Jane at T. Pepys's, The. Turner [aged 9], and my wife at Charles Glassecocke's, in Fleet Street. In the evening by water to White Hall to my Lord's, and there I spoke with my Lord. He talked with me about his suit, which was made in France, and cost him £200, and very rich it is with embroidery. I lay with Mr. Shepley, and Coronacion Day.
Note 1. The king in the early morning of the 22nd went from Whitehall to the Tower by water, so that he might proceed from thence through the City to Westminster Abbey, there to be crowned.
Note 2. The members of the Navy Office appear to have chosen Mr. Young's house on account of its nearness to the second triumphal arch, situated near the Royal Exchange [Map], which was dedicated to the Navy.
Note 3. Simon Wadlow was the original of "old Sir Simon the king", the favourite air of Squire Western in "Tom Jones". "Hang up all the poor hop-drinkers, Cries old Sim, the king of skinkers". Ben Jonson, Verses over the door into the Apollo.
Note 4. Mum. Ale brewed with wheat at Brunswick. "Sedulous and stout With bowls of fattening mum". J. Phillips, Cyder, Vol. ii. p. 231.
Note 5. Mary [aged 52], third daughter of Oliver Cromwell, and second wife of [her husband] Thomas Bellasis [aged 62], second Viscount Fauconberg, created Earl of Fauconberg, April 9th, 1689.
Samuel Pepys' Diary. 12th June 1663. At noon to the Exchange [Map] and so home to dinner, and abroad with my wife by water to the Royall Theatre [Map]; and there saw "The Committee", a merry but indifferent play, only Lacey's part, an Irish footman, is beyond imagination. Here I saw my [her husband] Lord Falconbridge [aged 36], and his Lady, my Lady Mary Cromwell [aged 26], who looks as well as I have known her, and well clad; but when the House began to fill she put on her vizard1, and so kept it on all the play; which of late is become a great fashion among the ladies, which hides their whole face.
Note 1. Masks were commonly used by ladies in the reign of Elizabeth, and when their use was revived at the Restoration for respectable women attending the Theatre [Map], they became general. They soon, however, became the mark of loose women, and their use was discontinued by women of repute. On June 1st, 1704, a song was sung at the Theatre [Map] in Lincoln's Inn Fields called "The Misses' Lamentation for want of their Vizard Masques at the Theatre [Map]". Mr. R. W. Lowe gives several references to the use of vizard masks at the Theatre [Map] in his interesting biography, "Thomas Betterton [aged 27]"..
In 1665 [her mother] Elizabeth Bourchier [aged 67] died.
On 9th April 1689 a number of new peers were created at the Coronation William III and Mary II...
Charles Paulet 1st Duke Bolton [aged 59] was created 1st Duke Bolton.
Charles Mordaunt 3rd Earl Peterborough 1st Earl Monmouth [aged 31] was created 1st Earl Monmouth. Carey Fraser Countess Peterborough and Monmouth [aged 29] by marriage Countess Monmouth.
[her husband] Thomas Belasyse 1st Earl Fauconberg [aged 62] was created 1st Earl Fauconberg. Mary Cromwell Countess Fauconberg [aged 52] by marriage Countess Fauconberg.
William Bentinck 1st Earl of Portland [aged 39] was created 1st Earl of Portland.
On 31st December 1700 [her husband] Thomas Belasyse 1st Earl Fauconberg [aged 73] died without issue. Earl Fauconberg extinct. His nephew Thomas succeeded 3rd Viscount Faunconberg, 4th Baronet Belasyse of Newborough. Bridget Gage Viscountess Fauconberg [aged 25] by marriage Viscountess Faunconberg.
Annals of the six Kings of England by Nicholas Trivet
Translation of the Annals of the Six Kings of England by that traces the rise and rule of the Angevin aka Plantagenet dynasty from the mid-12th to early 14th century. Written by the Dominican scholar Nicholas Trivet, the work offers a vivid account of English history from the reign of King Stephen through to the death of King Edward I, blending political narrative with moral reflection. Covering the reigns of six monarchs—from Stephen to Edward I—the chronicle explores royal authority, rebellion, war, and the shifting balance between crown, church, and nobility. Trivet provides detailed insight into defining moments such as baronial conflicts, Anglo-French rivalry, and the consolidation of royal power under Edward I, whose reign he describes with particular immediacy. The Annals combines careful year-by-year reporting with thoughtful interpretation, presenting history not merely as a sequence of events but as a moral and political lesson. Ideal for readers interested in medieval history, kingship, and the origins of the English state, this chronicle remains a valuable and accessible window into the turbulent world of the Plantagenet kings.
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On 12th July 1712 [her brother] Richard Cromwell Lord Protector [aged 85] died.
On 14th March 1713 Mary Cromwell Countess Fauconberg [aged 76] died.
Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons
Kings England: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Kings Franks: Great x 27 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King of the Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor
Kings France: Great x 22 Grand Daughter of Hugh I King of the Franks
Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine
Great x 3 Grandfather: Morgan Williams
Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Cromwell aka Williams 
14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Cromwell 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Cromwell 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Glossop
Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Cromwell aka Williams 15 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Murfyn
Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Mirfyn
GrandFather: Robert Cromwell 16 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Warren of Feering in Essex
Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Warren
Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Warren
Great x 3 Grandfather: John Lake alias Davy of Cornwall 
Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Trelake
Father: Oliver Cromwell 17 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
Great x 1 Grandfather: William Steward
GrandMother: Elizabeth Steward
Mary Cromwell Countess Fauconberg 18 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England
GrandFather: John Bourchier 
Mother: Elizabeth Bourchier