The Mortimer History Society

The Mortimers - A Medieval Family


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Listed below are various articles about the activities and research taking place in the Mortimer History Society.

We have received the following about
MR. RALPH HENRY MORTIMER  b. 05/05/1922
and would be grateful of any information which could be added to the following history.

I was born at 5 Applegate Street, Leicester, which was at the time a Confectionary shop, a family owned business.  My father, grandfather and great grandfather all carried the name of Henry Thomas Mortimer, who lived in and around the area of Leicester.  My Father's profession was a Carpenter/Shopkeeper, and grandfather was listed in the Census as a Surgeon, and lived at 25 Red Croft Street, Leicester.  I have a brother Brian, a sister Sheila,  half-sister Yvonne Sherwin, half-brother Cyril Percival and half-brother Gordon who married and lived in London.  My mother's maiden name was Cissy Stanyon.
I attended Round Hill Modern School, Syston, and joined the Royal Artillery during the war and saw service in Burma, travelling in a convoy of 22 ships from Glasgow through the Mediterranean, down the Nile, Bombay, Calcutta and eventually into Burma and into action with the 8th Field Regiment Royal Artillery.  This was part of the 14th Army in the centre of Burma.  I met my wife Margaret Elsie Brooke-Rhodes at the Embassy Dance Studios in Welling, and had one daughter Penelope Ann.  After the war I found employment with the Civil Service in the Ministry of Defence, enjoying a 4 year posting during this time at NATO Headquarters, in Rheindahlen,  Moechengladbach, Germany.  My wife and I retired to Bournemouth in 1987.
I have lost touch with the rest of my family and I, my daughter and grandson, are very keen to renew contact. So if anybody recognises any of the details above I would appreciate being contacted.  The membership is under P.A. Vernon.  please e-mail penny.vernon@gmail.com

Address:
16 Farleigh
32 Branksomewood Road
Bournemouth
Dorset
BH4 9JZ
Field Trip to Cefnllys and Tinboeth Castles

Nine members assembled for the field trip up Cefnllys and Tinboeth hills on a gloriously sunny morning.  A gentle stroll took us across the wonderfully named, but unfortunately no longer Shakey Bridge!  From there the assent up the side of Cefnllys hill was gently taken, admiring the gorgeous views and red kites as we went.  On the hill top both castles were examined, before having a picnic lunch, perched on the highest remaining spot of the second castle keep.
In the afternoon we went up Tinboeth with flycatchers and redwings leading the way.  The meeting broke up at about five o'clock after a glorious, sunny and happy day.  An essay on the foundation of both castles will be published shortly.

Jim Tonkin

We are very sorry to record the death of one of our distinguished members, Jim Tonkin in April.  Jim lived by Wigmore Castle, and was extremely knowledgeable about the Castle and Mortimer history. Jim and Muriel retired as officers of the Woolhope Club just a year ago, having been the mainstay of its administration for more than 40 years. Jim had been the Secretary for 21 years, Editor of the Club’s Transactions from 1966 to 2005, and three times the Club’s President. He published many papers in the Transactions of the Woolhope Club as well as in national journals.

        Jim and Muriel Tonkin were born and bred in Cornwall, and he never forgot his roots. In WWII  he saw service as a signals officer in Burma, and was one of the youngest majors in the British Army at the time. After Jim and Muriel’s marriage in 1949, they pursued their interests in history and buildings, and both were instituted as Cornish bards for their researches.

         Jim and his wife Muriel came to Wigmore in the 1960s when he took up the headmastership of the newly-established Wigmore secondary school and they continued living in the village after his retirement. Jim was a very popular headmaster, and a number of Jim’s ex-pupils attended the service.   He led a number of parties around Wigmore Castle, and Abbey, where John and Carol Challis will install a memorial bench in his honour.

 Jim’s primary interest outside work was the history, design and construction of old buildings.  From 1965 he led classes on the history of Herefordshire, as well as an extra-mural course on old buildings for Birmingham University. In his early days in Herefordshire, domestic architecture was little valued, but the newly-formed national society, the Vernacular Architecture Group, changed all that. Jim was sometime President of the Group, and made sure that Herefordshire’s wonderful buildings were given their due.

First National Mortimer Conference a Great Success

More than 150 people crowded the Ludlow assembly rooms on May 8th, to participate in the first national conference of the Mortimer History Society. The conference has a Welsh theme looking at Prince Llywelyn, and Owain Glyndwr as well as the Mortimers. This theme attracted many visitors from Wales, such as Professor Gruffydd Williams from Aberystwyth University, who congratulated us on a marvellous day! Logaston Press provided the well stocked bookstall, Marcher Castle books by Paul Remfry were on sale, and a new Mortimer castle booklet by Margot Miller actually sold out.

All four honorary presidents attended, John and Carol Challis, Paul Dryburgh and Ian Mortimer, who with expertise and good humour chaired all the sessions. He introduced Dr. David Stephenson, a Research Fellow at Bangor University, who spoke eloquently on Prince Llywelyn, showing that his pattern of behaviour was similar in many respects to the way that the English marcher lords souught to control their territories. A full summary of his lecture will be soon available to members on the website.

Paul Remfry gave an erudite description from contemporary sources, translated for the first time in public from the original Latin, on the Battle of Bryn Glas – Pilleth, 1402 where Glyndwr’s army defeated Mortimer troops. This important set piece victory, Mortimer’s capture, and subsequent marriage to Glyndwyr’s daughter  - all had significant consequences for the forward momentum to the Glyndwr campaign.

John Grove described vividly the background to  the Battle of Usk – Pwll Melyn, 1405, where Glyndwr’s forces suffered a dramatic setback at the hands of the Usk garrison. The earlier setback at Grosmont and the underestimation of the English forces present in Usk contributed to the Welsh defeat.   

A thrilling finale was provided by Ian Barge, and the ‘Teme Players’, as they explored    “Shakespeare’s Glyndwr and the Mortimers” from Henry IV Part One. The clash between the king and Harry Hotspur over Mortimer’s ransom set the scene, for a fine performance of the event in Glyndwr’s court where he, Hotspur and Mortimer planned to divide the kingdom into three.

The feminine interest was admirably served by a fine harpist Hannah Coleman, and a Welsh song beautifully rendered by Sally Newman as Glyndwr’s daughter. Emma Davis as Lady Katharine Percy (nee Mortimer) moved the audience with her excellent performance as Hotspur’s intelligent and loving wife. The rest of the cast - Dave Tristram as Hotspur, Ian Barge as King Henry: Andrew Geldart; as Northumberland, Steve Piper as Edmund Mortimer ; Mike Evans as Glendower -  had memorised their parts well, and all gave a convincing performance

The new society committee proved a good team in organising the conference. Blue and gold flowers, Mortimer colours, adorned the stage along with red and gold of Glyndwr, and bouquets were presented to all the lady actresses. The conference was very well received judging by many comments sent in, and we eagerly await the next morning conference on September 18th.

A new book has been published full of interesting information regarding the Mortimers and their family and events during the reign of Edward II.

Details are available here.

Also published is the definitive biography of Edward II by Seymour Phillips of Trinity College, Dublin. The Mortimers are prominent throughout and there is a chapter specifically dedicated to the "death of Edward II", challenging Ian Mortimer's theories. At 800 pages it may not be a light read but at £15 it is certainly a bargain.

Edward II (Yale English Monarchs Series)

Owain Glyndwr, Prince Llewelyn, Shakespeare and the Mortimers

Ludlow will be hosting the first national conference of the recently
formed Mortimer History Society in Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Saturday May
8th between 10.00 and 3.30. The Society was set up in 2009 to provide a
forum for all who are interested in the mediaeval Mortimers. This powerful
and influential family held extensive lands in England and Wales including
the castles of Wigmore and Ludlow. Spanning 400 years, theirs is not only
the story of locally-based Marcher Lords, but is also a microcosm of
English and Welsh mediaeval history.

The conference on May 8th has a Welsh theme. The morning session will be
chaired by Ian Mortimer, the renowned author of The Greatest Traitor and
other internationally recognised books on mediaeval history. Dr David
Stephenson, Research Fellow at Bangor University will speak on Prince
Llywelyn, and author Paul Remfry will lead on the Battle of Pilleth (Bryn
Glas) 1402 near Knighton where Glyndwr's army defeated the Mortimers.
After lunch John Grove, founder of the Mortimer History Society, speaks on
the Battle of Usk (Pwll Melyn) 1405 where Glyndwr's forces suffered a
dramatic setback at the hands of the Usk garrison.

One of the highlights of the day will be the final session in which Ian
Barge, formerly Head of English and Drama at Ludlow College, will be
talking about the Mortimers in Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 1. Ian has
chosen and edited the relevant scenes which will be brought vividly to
life by members of the Teme Players. With his customary enthusiasm, Ian
has cast the main roles, recruited a harpist and a Welsh language coach
and has a very fine soprano in view!

Tickets for the conference (£10 for non-members or £8 for members) are
available from Ludlow Assembly Rooms or by writing to Peter Crocker, New
Garth, Kent Ave., Ross on Wye, HR9 5AH

The Mortimer History Society has already set up a good quality website
www.mortimerhistorysociety.org.uk that will not only carry news and
articles, but provide an interactive site that make possible the first
Mortimer Gazetteer – an A-Z of all places, buildings and artefacts
associated with the Mortimers. There will be an opportunity also to find
information on the latest books and research, not only on the main
Mortimer dynasty, but also many minor branches of the family.

Notes for a lecture  -  The Mortimers and Edward II  -  John Grove

Cameo I                      Knights in Westminster Abbey

 Whitsun May 1306               Westminster Abbey -  the Gothic structure of Henry III

                                                Royal mausoleum with shrine of St. Edward the Confessor

 Occasion                     300 knights to be.  Prince Edward dubbed – given Aquitaine

                                     He went to W Abbey and made all the knights, inc R M of Chirk

 Prince Edward  22                  Tall, robust, good horseman, jousting, courageous,

             spiritually – minded. Generous giver

Love of jewellery, fine clothes, carpets, music, metalwork,

            exotic animals, books.

Roger Mortimer 20              

                        Married 1301 Joan de Geneville – lands in England, Wales, and Ireland

                        1306 paid for inheritance, 2 children  “Lord Mortimer of Wigmore”

 
First Scottish Campaign  June – September 1306   Capture of many Scots

                        22 young knights deserted for a tournament inc RM. Lands confiscated.

King Ed I died on next Scottish campaign July 1307

 

Cameo II                Coronation in Westminster Abbey 1308

 Wedding                      January 13 1308  Isabella the Fair – only daughter, King of France

                                                ‘beauty of beauties…in the kingdom, if not in all Europe’

 Coronation                 Feb. 1308  Westminster  Abbey  -   big crowds

                                    Sceptre, staff, swords of state

A humble knight – Gaveston  - came in last, before the new king   

                                           with crown of St. Edward the Confessor,

                                                dressed in imperial purple and pearls

                                    Outrage of English barons.   Banquet  - purple

 

Gaveston                    son of a Gascon knight – handsome, young set, courteous

                                    Close emotional ties with P Ed. Incident with Ed I

                                    Ed II made him E of Cornwall

1308  May banishment – to Lieutenant of Ireland – good record 

RM went as well to supervise Irish lands = Trim and Meath

                                                Assisted Gaveston

                                    1310  Lords Ordainers Third banishment

                                    1312  Feb. return to king – June murder of Gaveston aged 31

At this stage RM was giving Ed II his full support

 

Cameo III                   Roger Mortimer - Governor of Ireland

 Ireland            Trim Castle 1317           

 Largest Norman castle in Ireland – Keep massive, 20 sided tower

                         5 visits 1308 -1320 lasting 6 years

                         Dealing with Irish lords and tenants and rebels

                         Royal lieutenant of Ireland 1317

 
Bannockburn  -  June 1313 

Both Mortimers there      RM captured.

Bruce sent him back with privy seal- royal shield to Ed II

at Berwick

Gaveston’s funeral   -  attended 1315

 
Glamorgan    - Assisted the E of Hereford  -  capture of Llewellyn Bren

                        Went to court and Pleaded for his life

 
Treaty of Leake  August 1318  

        RM joins delegation seeking peace between King and Lancaster

                                One of four barons on the royal council

                                Recognised as a negotiator, military leader, and provincial governor but on the side of reform

Cameo IV    Mortimer Rebellion   -   Tower of London 1322

Why??             RM a loyal servant of the King – an experienced negotiator, and leader

 Occasion     Gower – 1320, 21

Major attempt by Hugh Despenser to enlarge his Clare holdings in Glamorgan at Marcher expense

                                    Despenser acquisitiveness and random Royal rule and favouritism

Reasons

 

1. RM now an experienced man of power with a reputation and charisma.

2. Support of RM Chirk now 64, sometimes Justiciar of Wales and also of Ireland

3. Kingdom in disarray - either join Lancaster or side with King and Despenser

4. Marcher privileges under attack

5. Despenser a sworn enemy

                        Death of Despenser at Evesham 1265

                        ‘Despenser was the king’s right-hand man’

Rebellion

                        Attack on 67 Despenser manors by Marchers lead by 2 RMs

                        Banishment of 2 Despensers

1322    Badlesmere -  incident.  Mortimers now acting directly against King.

No support from Lancaster.  Surrender at  Shrewsbury

 Tower of London 

1322  Death sentence – Wigmore sacked

Edward commutes sentence after Lancaster’s execution at Boroughbridge

Queen’s influence

 

Escape to France       1323  one of the few escapes from the Tower

                                    Roger of Chirk dies there 3 yrs later aged 70, b. at Wigmore

 

Cameo V         Queen  Isabella Rebellion    Kenilworth Castle     

 

Kenilworth Castle      Entered by Mortimer’s Gatehouse –  Norman but with M shield

                                    Ed. Agrees to resign, in favour of son, after Guildhall hearing

 Queen alienated        4 children but problem of Favourites

                                    Mar.1325  Negotiations in Paris  -  Joined by Prince Edward
  
                                    Dec 25 Liaison with RM   three years exile  -  he 39, she 29

Death of M of Chirk 1326

Invasion                      Sept. landing 1326  Oct.   Collapse of King’s authority

                                    Despensers executed. King captured – held at Kenilworth

                                    Kenilworth abdication. Coronation of Ed III. Removal to Berkeley

 
RM in impossible position

                                    First abdication since Conquest

                                    Unofficial - partner of Queen, guardian of the new king,

 power behind parl. and councils

 
Fate of Edward II       Berkeley and possible escape

                                    1327 September  Death announced – possible causes.

                                    Interred at Gloucester– Rumours.

 Kent (half brother 25) plot,  execution

Fieschi letter from Lombardy. Papal notary, later Bishop,

addressed to Ed III

                                    Ed III met William the Welshman 1338. Re buried at Glos.

 
Conclusion              “Edward II sat down to the game of kingship with a remarkably poor

                                                hand, and he played it very badly”

 Re-evaluation of RM by Ed III

Discussion with johnusk@supanet.com

Mortimer History Society                   Programme Notes                2010

 Dear Founder Members,

             We now have some 40 founders, and we want you to suggest ideas for the society programme. We would like your comments especially on the ideas of national email groups and local house groups. Do feel free to raise any points by the end of January, in reply to me, and I will contact all the committee to discuss your considerations. Our first national conference is set for May 8th, 2010 at Ludlow.

 Founder members   comprise of 3 broad groups       each about 30%


        1. National       Devon, Birmingham, Evesham, Lincoln, Rugby,  Sussex, Yorkshire, Wales, Scotland, Spain, Hungary.

        2. Hereford and North – Ludlow, Leominster, Leintwardine, Wigmore

        3. Ross – Ledbury : Fownhope, Tedstone Wafre, Malvern, Much Marcle 

 
Possible Programme strategy

 1.            National  -  Website

                         Newsletter

                         2 Conferences

                         1 / 2 Field Visits

                         School outreach

 
                         Possible 1 Social event built around Med.Music, fashion etc.

                         Specific email groups sharing Mortimer / medieval themes

 

2.            Local Groups              Hereford and North

           Ross – Ledbury

 
Each with a House group set up by members 2 / 3  times a year.

Members to suggest themes and invite local groups to come to each others’ houses for evening or weekend sessions to share Mortimer or medieval enthusiasms.

 
Comments and volunteers needed.  Please contact the chairman.



First Mortimer History Society AGM held on Saturday 24 October 2009 at Wigmore.

The afternoon began with about 40 people assembling for a guided tour of Wigmore Castle, the Mortimer ancestral home. The crowd included friends from Spain, Scotland and Wales, as well as a strong local contingent. Everyone enjoyed a short but erudite commentary from a Marcher castle and history expert, Paul Remfry, in the autumn sunshine.

The numbers grew for the inaugural AGM, held  in the Teme Valley Resource Centre. After a welcome from Paul Dryburgh of London University, the first chairman, John Grove was elected followed by the election of a full committee. The constitution was adopted and plans for 2010 outlined. The new chairman opened with Shakespearean sentiments of ‘Nothing but Mortimer’ and went on to outline the aims of the society – to be academic and practical, to study Mortimer artefacts and Mortimer lines, both main and branches, and to have wide and diverse interests with an educational function. The proposed inter–active nature of the Society was stressed, calling on members to contribute to the website, to write articles, and to set up study groups, and offer services to local schools.

The society now has 37 Founder Members, and there will be a membership drive soon, based on the beginnings of a high-quality web site. The formal meeting was brought to a conclusion by a splendid talk from the author and historian, Ian Mortimer. Using the theme of ‘What have the Mortimers done for us?’, he gave a stirring outline of their contribution to the survival of medieval society, and the way in which their story gave us a wonderful focus for exploring both English and Welsh history.

The inaugural dinner was attended by 24 members, and the excellent fare was accompanied with good conversation, and a toast to the future success of the Society.