General Notes

REFN: 4942AN
Lord Justiciar Sir
Lord Justiciar of Ireland - appointed April 23, 1317; again in 1319
English Magnate. He led the baronial opposition to Edward II's favourit
es (1320-22) and was imprisoned before fleeing to France. There he beca
me the lover of Edward's Queen Isabella with whom he secured Edward's depo
sition and murder in 1327. He then ruled England in the name of Edward's s
on Edward III, until the latter caused him to be executed. Lord of Leix.
Created Earl of March on 9 November 1328
BARONY OF MORTIMER
II. 2.
EARLDOM OF MARCH [ENG]
I. 1. ROGER DE MORTIMER [LORD MORTIMER], son and heir of Edmund DE MORTIM
ER [LORD MORTIMER], by Margaret, daughter of Sir William DE FIENES, was bo
rn either on 25 April or 3 May 1287. On 29 July 1304 the wardship of his l
ands was granted to Piers de Gavaston. On 30 December 1304 Roger had permi
ssion to pay off his father's debts at the rate of £20 a year. He was summ
oned to Parliament from 22 February 1306/7 to 15 May 1321, and from 3 Dece
mber 1326 to 28 August 1328, by writs directed Rogero de Mortuo Mari de Wy
gemor (spelt variously). On 9 April 1306, although still under age, he h
ad livery of his lands, having satisfied Piers de Gavaston. He was ma
de a knight by the King (with many others) at Westminster, at the same ti
me as the Prince of Wales, on Whitsunday 22 May 1306. In 1306 he perform
ed service in Scotland, and in October, being one of those who left the Ki
ng's service there without licence, his lands were seized. He was pardon
ed in the following January, and his lands were restored at the intercessi
on of Queen Margarct. On 15 December 1307 the Justiciar of Ireland was ord
ered to deliver to him the lands of his inheritance in Ireland, althou
gh he was still under age; and on 24 December Geoffrey de Geneville [Lo
rd Geneville] had licence to surrender to Roger de Mortimer and Joan his w
ife (daughter of Piers, and granddaughter of Geoffrey de Geneville) the la
nds in Ireland which Geoffrey held by the courtesy after the death of Ma
ud his wife, and which at his death would descend to Roger and Joan. At t
he outset of his career, therefore, he became, by inheritance from his fat
her and in consequence of his marriage, a great magnate both in Wales a
nd in Ireland. At the Coronation of Edward II, 25 February 1307/8, he w
as one of the four bearers of the royal robes. On 14 March 1307/8 he ackno
wledged a debt of £80 to the Friscobaldis of Florence. He was summoned f
or militiry service against the Scots 21 June 1308, and also in 1309 (to r
aise 500 foot soldiers in Wales), 1310, and later. On 28 October 1308 S
ir Roger and his wife (heiress of Meath) went to Ireland and took seis
in of Meath. On 26 August 1309 he had a grant of the commote of Endor (uni
dentified) in Wales, and in the same year sealed the Barons' letter of 6 A
ugust to the Pope concerning abuses. He was custodian, during pleasur
e, of Builth Castle on 26 February 1309/10. On 20 July 1309 or 1310 a mand
ate was issued to the Justiciar of Ireland restoring the liberties Roger
's predecessors had enjoyed in Trim. On 2 April 1313 Roger was to be pa
id £100 for his expenses in going to Gascony on the King's service. He nom
inated attorneys in Ireland on 14 March 1314/5 for two years. In 1315 he t
ook part in suppressing the revolt of Llewelyn Bren, and was one of tho
se to whom, on 18 March 1315/6, Llewelyn surrendered. In June 1316 Roger m
ade a settlement of his estates. In the same year he was defeated by Edwa
rd Bruce in Ireland, after which he returned to England, and later help
ed the Earl of Pembroke to suppress a revolt in Bristol. On 23 November 13
16 he was appointed the King's Lieutenant in Ireland, and on 9 December h
ad a grant of the marriage of the son and heir of Nicholas de Audley. In F
ebruary 1316/7 he assembled a great army at Haverfordwest, and crossed wi
th them, as commander, to Youghal, arriving on 7 April. He is said