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This electronic thesis or dissertation has been downloaded from Explore Bristol Research, http://research-information.bristol.ac.uk Author: Dryburgh, by Paul Richard Dryburgh Title: The career of Roger Mortimer, first earl of March (c.1287-1330) General rights Access to the thesis is subject to the Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International Public License. A copy of this may be found at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/legalcode This license sets out your rights and the restrictions that apply to your access to the thesis so it is important you read this before proceeding. Take down policy Some pages of this thesis may have been removed for copyright restrictions prior to having it been deposited in Explore Bristol Research. However, if you have discovered material within the thesis that you consider to be unlawful e.g. breaches of copyright (either yours or that of a third party) or any other law, including but not limited to those relating to patent, trademark, confidentiality, data protection, obscenity, defamation, libel, then please contact [email protected] and include the following information in your message: •Your contact details •Bibliographic details for the item, including a URL •An outline nature of the complaint Your claim will be investigated and, where appropriate, the item in question will be removed from public view as soon as possible. The Career of Roger Mortimer, first earl of March (c.1287-1330) By Paul Richard Dryburgh A dissertation submitted to the University of Bristol in accordance with the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the Faculty of Arts. Department of Historical Studies, March 2002. 78, 648 words. ABSTRACT. This dissertation aims to re-assess aristocratic political culture in England during the early fourteenth century. It shifts the stress from a traditional Anglo-centric focus on baronial opposition to Edward II, to analysing the impact of renascent Scottish militarism, its ramifications in Ireland and Wales, and English attempts to maintain the hegemony established by Edward I across the British Isles. This is achieved by an examination of the career of an individual whose importance to such debates, though widely overlooked, is pivotal. Roger Mortimer is one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in the history of the medieval British Isles. Lord of Wigmore on the Welsh marches, his career witnessed both loyal service to the person of the king and outright rebellion against it, even marshalling the resistance that precipitated the unprecedented deposition of an anointed English sovereign. An examination of Mortimer's strategies for prosperity and survival is attempted. Moreover, Mortimer enjoyed a landed inheritance spanning the Irish Sea, and showed a consistent desire to defend his Irish estates in person at a time of disengagement in transmarine landholding by the English aristocratic elite. This thesis examines such patterns of lordship in detail and will attempt to show the correlation between Mortimer's transmarine lordship and the increasing prominence he achieved in curial and national affairs. Focus on the career of Roger Mortimer, above all his contemporaries, may reveal the realities of aristocratic politics during the early fourteenth century, for, alongside his lover, queen Isabella, he attained unprecedented access to the levers of political power. A straightforward analysis of his regime is accompanied by a demonstration that, even though the court dictated political life, Roger Mortimer was able to extend his influence across the British Isles and pose a serious threat to the kingship of Edward III. Dedicated to the memory of: Isabella Henderson Dryburgh (1917-1996) Simon James Speed (1974-1995) My inspirations. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Having the opportunity to research and write a doctoral dissertation is something I have never really believed could happen. That it has done so is largely attributable to a number of people, both friends and academic colleagues, who have encouraged me and provided an atmosphere conducive to giving my best. Firstly, I would really like to take the chance to warmly thank the members of the Department of History at Stirling. Without the encouragement of Professor George Peden, former head of department, I would not have been able to begin a research degree in the first place. Special mention is also due to Tim Lovering, Silke Stricicrodt, and Jan Oosthoek. All of us began the unique — and frankly frightening — experience of postgraduate study together, and although I left for Bristol after only a year, we have enjoyed a fruitful and stimulating relationship then and since. Above all, though, I must express my deep gratitude to Dr. Fiona Watson, champion medievalist and myth destroyer, and Professor Brian Murdoch of the German department, my original supervisors, who first ignited my passion for medieval British history, and were honest and helpful enough to advise me to cut my ties with Stirling despite my reluctance. My thesis supervisor at Bristol, Dr. Brendan Smith, will probably never know how much of an impact he has had both in terms of his unfailing patience, tolerance, advice, and intellectual encouragement and stimulation, as well as his great friendship. I have been far luckier than I deserve. This is also true of my postgraduate colleagues at Bristol. Without the capacity for alcohol, bed space, and the strangely unquestioning friendship of James Rue!, Ellie Pridgeon, Demelza Curnow, Stef Schlie, Helen Webster, Jane Tozer, the Jettisons, More and Butler, and Robert Rouse, I would not be in the position I am now, whatever that may be! I would also like to acknowledge the input of several academics to my research. Professor Robin Frame of the University of Durham, has always taken time out to answer queries, however trivial, and has taken an interest in my progress. Particular thanks are also owed to Professor Seymour Phillips of University College, Dublin, who offered crucial advice in the embryonic stages of my research. Professor J.F.Lydon of Trinity College, Dublin, was especially kind to me on my first research trip to Dublin, and for that I shall be eternally grateful. Most importantly, I must thank Barbara Wright, an independent scholar who claims she is merely an amateur who happens to be interested in Roger Mortimer. Barbara is one of the most dedicated and able people I have met during my research, and her advice, provision of transcripts, and hospitality cannot adequately be returned in kind. Having recently taken up a temporary research post at the Public Record Office at Kew I am beginning to realise the fantastic job archival staff really do. I should therefore like to express my thanks to the staff of the British Library, the National Library of Ireland, and the National Archives in Dublin, most particularly Dr. Philomena Connolly, a much lamented source of information and advice, as well as to my colleagues in the PRO. Finally, and above all else, my debt to my parents, who have been eternally encouraging and never questioning despite the rather bizarre career paths I have taken, can never be made up. I hope I have made them proud at least. AUTHOR' S DECLARATION: I declare that the work in this dissertation was carried out in accordance with the Regulations of the University of Bristol. The work is original except where indicated by special reference in the text and no part of the dissertation has been submitted for any other degree. Any views expressed in the dissertation are those of the author and in no way represent those of the University of Bristol. The dissertation has not been presented to any other University for examination either in the United Kingdom or overseas. SIGNED: ?a,t..1.1 3 r‘.319k. A . ,D in . DATE: 25 March 2002. CONTENTS. List of Abbreviations viii Introduction 1 1. Early career, c.1304-15 14 2. Crisis as opportunity, 1315-20 40 3. Opposition leader, 1321-6 69 4. The regime of Mortimer and Isabella, 1327-30 109 5. Followers, family and friends 153 Conclusion 206 Appendix 1: The itinerary of Roger Mortimer 233 Appendix 2: The landed estates of Roger Mortimer: 253 Inheritance and Acquisition Bibliography 261 ABBREVIATIONS: BIHR Bulletin of the Institute of Historical Research BL British Library CACCW Calendar of Ancient Correspondence Concerning Wales, ed. J.G.Edwards (Cardiff, 1935) CAPRW Calendar of Ancient Petitions Relating to Wales from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century in the Public Record Office, London (London, 1975) C.Chanc.R Calendar of Chancery Rolls Various Preserved in the Public Record Office, London, 1277-1326 (London, 1912) C. 07. Calendar of Chancery Warrants Preserved in the Public Record Office, London, 1244-1326 (London, 1927) C.ChR Calendar of the Charter Rolls Preserved in the Public Record Office, London, 6 volumes (London, 1903-27) CCR Calendar of Close Rolls Preserved in the Public Record Office, 1272-1509, 47 volumes (London, 1896-1963) CDI Calendar of Documents Relating to Ireland Preserved in the Public Record Office, London, ed. H.Sweetman, 5 volumes (London, 1875-86) CDS Calendar of Documents Relating to Scotland Preserved in the Public Record Office, London, ed. J.Bain, 4 volumes (London, 1881-8) CFR Calendar of Fine Rolls Preserved in the Public Record Office, 1272-1509, 22 volumes (London, 1911-62) CIM Calendar of Inquisitions Miscellaneous Preserved in the Public Record Office, 1219-1422, 7 volumes (London, 1916-69 CIPM Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem and Other Analogous Documents Preserved in the Public Record Office, Henry III-[Richard III], 16 volumes (London, 190474) CfRI Calendar of the Justiciary Rolls of Irelang 1-7 Edward II, ed. H.Wood and R.E.Longman (Dublin, 1905-) CMR Calendar of Memoranda Rolls (Exchequer) Preserved in the Public Record Office: Michaelmas 1326 - Michaelmas 1327, ed.