Mortimer Newsletter 43.Qxp Layout 1

Issue 43 February 2021 Charity No. 1171392 M HS MORTIMER History Society The Lordship of Clare and the mystery at the Swan Inn Heraldry enthusiast Hugh Wood unravels a fourteenth century Mortimer mystery hidden in a Suffolk pub sign and gives us an account of the Mortimer family’s connection with Clare – its lordship, castle and priory. rightening up the front of the Swan Inn The history of the B in Clare in Suffolk is this colourful piece of carved wood. Its shape holders of Clare suggests that it was once the sill of an oriel window. The pub itself is thought to date After 1066, the Conqueror awarded from the 17th century, but the sign is much Ralph Mortimer estates across the older, and much more interesting for us, as country, so it’s tempting to assume it comes from nearby Clare castle. Look that Clare was one of those. closely and you’ll see the royal arms However, Domesday shows that tucked away at the far left and, balancing Clare was held by Richard them, on the far right, the quartered arms FitzGilbert. Richard’s family of Mortimer and de Burgh. Dating and continued to hold Clare for a understanding this artefact presents an further 128 years. After several interesting challenge. But first, it’s worth alternate Richard FitzGilberts and exploring how the Mortimers came to be Gilbert FitzRichards, they finally associated with Clare. settled on being called ‘de Clare’. Clare castle In This Issue Society News Reviews and recommendations Welcome new members 5 Royal Seals – power and majesty 10-11 Features Upcoming events 7 Marcher Lordships – volume 1 12-13 Lordship of Clare – a mystery 1-3 February 2021 conference 8 Cecily – 15th century matriarch 13 The Law of the March 4-5 October 2020 conference: review 9 For Her Good Estate 14 The uses and abuses of wardship 5-6 International Medieval Conference 11 For your bookshelf 15 Cont/d from page 1 Following the There are a couple of strange things collapse of the 8th about the quarterings on the shield to crusade, Prince the right of the swan. Firstly, the Edward, heir to the inescutcheons are black rather than English throne, silver. That’s easily explained: it’s not continued to the Holy uncommon for silver to degrade to Land and stayed for black over time and it was probably some months at Acre. repainted black in error. More In April 1272 his wife, problematical are the round knobs or Eleanor of Castile, rings in the centre of each gave birth to a inescutcheon. It’s tempting to assume daughter who is that this could be a cadency mark, known to history as indicating a younger son, but the lack Joan of Acre. By the of a suitable candidate rules that out. time she was 12 her These marks remain a mystery. father, now King Edward I, greatly The first person entitled to quarter the strengthened his Mortimer arms with those of de Burgh position by betrothing is the 3rd earl’s son, Roger 4th earl of her to his erstwhile March who died in 1398. His son enemy, Gilbert de Clare. Edmund, the 5th earl, also used them. They were married in 1290 As owners of Clare, the Mortimer arms when she was 18 and he was 46. on the Swan Inn must represent one or Arms of the Joan loved Clare and continued to other, or both, of them. But the other 4th and 5th Earl of March live in the castle after her husband’s emblems on the Swan Inn take us in a death. She built a new chapel in the very different direction. First the swan We’ll take up the story with the 7th in priory and is buried there. itself: a white swan ducally gorged and line, Richard de Clare 6th Earl of chained like this one was a badge of Gloucester (1222 to 1262). Although Their only son Gilbert was 23 and the Lancastrian kings. Its position here Richard was a prominent figure in childless when he was killed at the suggests that it is representing the England and a powerful Marcher lord, battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Ownership crown. But why should that be? it’s his spiritual side which concerns us of Clare then passed to his sister, the here. He was the first person to bring famous Elizabeth de Clare (1295-1360). the Augustinian or Austin Friars to Married three times and with a child England, and they established their from each marriage, she was the first priory at Clare in 1248. These friars founder of Clare College in Cambridge. were respected for their poverty and for Her first husband was John de Burgh their willingness to visit people in their (d1313) son of the 2nd earl of Ulster, and homes. One of their chief patrons, Clare subsequently passed to their following Richard’s death, was his granddaughter Elizabeth de Burgh widow Maud de Lacy. Countess of Ulster, who married Lionel the second son of King Edward III. Both Richard and Maud’s son Gilbert de Lionel and Elizabeth are buried in Clare Clare (d1295) was a strong supporter of Priory. With the marriage of their only Simon de Montfort, who knighted him child, Philippa, to Edmund, 3rd earl of just before the Battle of Lewes in 1264. March, Clare passed to the Mortimers. Much later, after everything had quietened down in England, Gilbert was Let’s return to the carved sign at the still seen as a potential threat to the Swan Inn. When was it created and stability of the crown. who is represented in its coats of arms? The arms of the Prince of Wales Mortimer Matters February 2021 Page 2 Cont/d from page 2 Before going any further, it’s important to stress that From your editor these carvings must have been repainted several times. So, we may be seeing the colours and interpretations put upon them by later generations. Nevertheless, these Hello! Well, who’d have thought we’d be starting 2021 in lockdown! are not just flat images, which could easily have been Grim for all of us, I know, but there’s still plenty going on in misinterpreted, but carvings with the charges in clear relief, so while the colouring may be suspect, the the Mortimer History Society. For the time being our events charges are probably original. will remain virtual, you’ll find a full programme on page 7. I’m certainly excited about the February conference, when women will take centre stage! We very much hope that, The other shield in the display shows the royal arms. later in the year and as the vaccine kicks in, we’ll be able to This is the key to explaining and dating the carving. The return to actual events. Let’s keep our fingers crossed, I for arms in the 1st and 4th quarters are called France Modern. Previously, France Ancient had a blue field one can’t wait! with lots of fleurs-de-lys, but Charles V reduced these to There’s also plenty of book news in this issue, with several just three in 1376. In England, however, the change reviews and reading recommendations, as well as wasn’t implemented until 1411, so these arms at Clare fascinating articles on everything from pub signs to can’t be earlier than that. wardships! Of greater significance is the blue label across the top of We’d love to hear what you think about this issue. Why not the shield. A plain label is used specifically to indicate drop me a line at [email protected] to let the heir to the throne, and the only Prince of Wales after me know your thoughts and any suggestions for 1411 who was a contemporary of the earls of March was improvement? And, remember, this is your newsletter so Henry, later King Henry V. The reason why the arms of you should also get in touch if you’re keen to: the Prince of Wales should be on this carving with those of Mortimer is not instantly obvious, but becomes clear • Recommend a topic you’d like to see covered in when we look at dates and the documentary evidence. Mortimer Matters When the 4th earl died in 1398 his son Edmund was • Volunteer to write a book review or feature only six and, as was customary, all his estates reverted • Tell us about a news item or event you’d like us to mention to the king until they could be given back when he I’ll then get in touch to discuss your ideas and give you reached adulthood. In the National Archives there is a manuscript dated c.1408 which explains what some useful tips on submitting your copy. We plan to happened. King Henry IV granted Clare to the prince publish our next issue in early May and will start planning during the minority of Edmund Mortimer, earl of March in early April, so please get in touch with your ideas as soon and this carving on the Swan Inn appears to have been as you can! done during that period. On becoming king in 1413, Henry V granted Edmund all of his estates, which gives a very small window indeed for this carving to have been accurate and relevant, namely 1411-1413. But let’s not get carried away – further evidence may emerge that might place it a few years either side of this narrow date range. Even though they held multiple lordships, in England, Wales and sometimes Ireland, Clare and its castle clearly meant a lot to its successive owners.

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