The ancient petition cited below is dated 1355. It was written by
Roger de Mortimer, 2nd Earl of March, to King Edward III of England.
The petition is written is French. Modern transcripts of this document
can be accessed at two different websites:
1. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp, and
2.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/docu ... ueryType=1)
According to the modern transcrips, the petition allegedly refers to
John Darcy as "kinsman" of Earl Roger de Mortimer.
I've examined the original petition online at the following weblink
(click on download):
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/docu ... 0msn%2Ecom
The original petition actually refers to "John Darcy le cousin & Joan
sa femme" (that is, John Darcy the cousin and Joan his wife). The John
Darcy in question was Sir John Darcy (died 1355), 1st Lord Darcy of
Knaith, Justiciar of Ireland, whose second wife was Joan de Burgh.
This particular John Darcy was known to contemporaries as "John Darcy
the cousin" to distinguish him from other men named John Darcy in his
immediate family. The style "the cousin" does not imply or infer that
John Darcy was related to Roger de Mortimer, Earl of March.
Best always, Douglas Richardson, Salt Lake City, Utah
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
Petition from Roger de Mortimer, 2nd Earl of March to King Edward III
of England.
Source: National Archives Catalogue
(http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/search.asp)
SC 8/247/12302
Scope and content
Petitioners: Roger de Mortimer, earl of March.
Addressees: King.
Places mentioned: Collington, Herefordshire; Little Cowarne,
Herefordshire; Bromsgrove, Worcestershire; Norton, Worcestershire;
Ireland; Rawier (Rathwire), [County Westmeath, Ireland]; Montgomery,
[Montgomeryshire]; Chirbury, [Shropshire]; Meath, [Ireland].
Other people mentioned: [Roger de Mortimer], grandfather of the
petitioner; Joan [de Mortimer], wife of the earl's grandfather; John
Darcy, kinsman of the petitioner; Joan [Darcy], wife of John Darcy;
[Edward of Woodstock], Prince of Wales.
Nature of request: Mortimer requests the delivery of certain lands and
rents which are of his inheritance, but which were seized into the
king's hand after the death of Mortimer's grandfather:
1) Land and rent in Collington and Little Cowarne.
2) Rent to be taken from the hands of the sheriffs of Shropshire and
Staffordshire.
3) Rent from Bromsgrove and Norton.
4) Land in Ireland.
5) Reversion of the manor of Rathwire in Ireland.
6) He requests the profits of all his lands for three years after his
death if he should die on the voyage whilst his son is within age to
acquit his debts.
7) He requests release from the fee farm of the castle of Montgomery
and the hundred of Chirbury of which he is charged to pay the prince of
Wales.
against his grandfather.
9) No man of Meath be impleaded before the treasurer and barons of the
Dublin Exchequer if they are not ministers assigned by commission of
the Exchequer.
Endorsement: [On face:]1) It pleases the king that this is done without
viewing the inquisition.
2) It pleases the king that this is done.
3) The king wishes that this is done and the charter viewed.
4) The king wishes that he have what he demands.
5) The king wishes that the earl have what he demands if the reversion
is to the king.
6) It pleases the king that if the earl dies on the voyage his
executors should have the issues until they have received £6,000.
7) Afterwards that it be charged to the prince that it is right that he
be discharged towards the king.
9) Let it be ordered to the treasurer and barons of the Exchequer that
people of the liberty are not treated in pleas otherwise than people of
the other earls of Ireland.
Covering dates [1355]
Note The petition dates to 1355 as parts of the petition were granted
to the petitioner on 4 July 1355 (CCR 1354-60, p.163).