Hugh Mortimer of Richard's Castle (d.1304) who's wife Maud was accused
of poisoning him and also of sending her men to kill Hugh de
Kyngsmede. Maud was the daughter of one William le Marshal, and a
cousin of Eleanor, queen of Edward I. An inquest held after Hugh's
death found his heirs to be two daughters: Joan, aged 12 on November
25 1303, and Margaret, aged 8 on September 14, 1303 (Inquisitions, 32
Ed.I, No.84). The 1309 inquisition of William Mortimer states that his
heirs are the heirs of Hugh Mortimer, namely Joan (age 17), wife of
Thomas de Wikenor, and Margaret (age 14 and a half), wife of Geoffrey
de Cornwall.
Walter de Kyngsmede accused Maud and her chamberlain of sending her
men-at-arms to the residence of Walter de Haselshawe, the bishop of
Bath and Wells in order to murder his brother. Prince Edward (the
future Edward II) wrote a letter to Adam de Kyngsmede, evidently yet
another brother, rebuking him for accusing Maud of murder. A pardon
was obtained for her in September 1305, and she was released from the
Tower of London. In December 1306, another pardon was granted to
Maud's chamberlain William de Billebury, absolving him of outlawry in
the matter of the death of Hugh Mortimer. Linda E. Mitchell, in her
article about the case in "Portraits of Medieval Women: Family,
Marriage, and Politics in Medieval England, 1225-1350" (Palgrave
Macmillan, 2003) suggests that the Kyngsmedes were supporters of
Hugh's half-sister Felicia and her family, and that connection played
some role in these mysterious deaths.
Robert C. Palmer, "The Whilton Dispute, 1264-1380" (Princeton, 1984)
has this to say about Hugh's death:
'A poet did mention Hugh for his part in the seige of Caerlaverock
in 1300: "Hugh Mortimer, who well-knew how to make himself beloved."
Whether the poet was being ironic, or Hugh simply never used the
talent with his wife, Matilda, is not known, but she killed him by
poison on 5 August 1305. Queen Margaret seems to have thought the
action was not entirely reprehensible and interceded to obtain a
pardon for her.'
On Apr 29 2007, 6:31 pm, <[email protected]> wrote:
Forgive me if this is redundant.
Will,
Found the following interesting, although not helpful in answering your question. It appears that William laZoucheof Essex had a son, William who died without heirs.
"Norht.HughdeMortimersued Felicia formerly wife of Philip de Monte Gomery for two parts of the manor of Whelton, by a writ of right, (fn. 3) which John Wake the capital landlord remitted to the King's Court, and he pleaded that one William his ancestor was seised of the tenements in demesne in the time of King Henry the King's father, and from William the right descended to another William as son and heir, and from this William who died s.p. to Jocosa his sister and heir, and from Jocosa toHughthe plaintiff as son and heir. Felicia denied the seisin of the original ancestor, and appealed to a great assize, and a day is given to the parties at three weeks from Easter. m. 139."
Banco Roll. Michaelmas, 24 E. I. (BHO)
This is 1296 and Felicia is of age and had been married to Philip de Montgomery, therefore born sometime prior to 1276.
Three years later:
"North. A writ superseding a Great Assize whichHughdeMortimerhad arraigned against Felicia formerly wife of Philip de Monte Gomery, respecting two parts of the manor of Whelton, and whichHughclaimed as his inheritance, giving the following pedigree from one William his ancestor, who was seised of it temp. Henry III. (fn. 2)
Pedigree ofHughdeMortimer
William Temp Hen III
|
William son and heir-------Jocasa sister and heir
|
________________________Hugh deMortimer,
the plaintiff, son and heir
The King's writ states that Robert Burnel formerly Bishop of Bath and Wells had granted the manor to Philip de Monte Gomery and Felicia his wife, and to the issue of Felicia; and if Felicia should die s. p., to remain to Philip and the issue of his body, and if Philip should die s.p., to revert to the heirs of Robert. Felicia had a daughter Anne, who was under age and in ward to the King; and if the issue of Felicia should fail, the manor would revert to Edward son of Philip Burnel the kinsman and heir of Robert, who was also under age and in ward to the King. The Justices are therefore not to take the assize or proceed in any other manner which might be to the injury of the King's wards whilst they are under age. Dated 11th April, 27 E. I. m. 131." (Plea Rolls for Staffordshire
27 Edward I BHO)
Pat
From: WJhonson <[email protected]
Date: 2007/04/27 Fri AM 12:01:44 EDT
To: [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: Re: Re: William de laZouche
I'd suggest we could shave a year off the end of that.
Hugh, Baron /Mortimer/ , Lord of Richard's Castle d1304
had a daughter Joan born 24 Nov 1291
So I'd like to think thatHughhimself was born at least in early 1274, making his parents married in 1273 at the latest.
Will
In a message dated 04/24/07 08:30:33 Pacific Standard Time, [email protected] writes:
Well, Will, I re-read what I wrote and must amend this to say that she marriedMortimersometime AFTER 1267-8 and before 1275, if we assume that the sale of the property was in the lifetime of Nicholas who, because of his refusal to assume the properties his father wanted him to have confused disposition of Whelton properties.
Pat
From: wjhonson <[email protected]
Date: 2007/04/23 Mon PM 11:12:54 EDT
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: William de laZouche
On Apr 23, 7:59 pm, <[email protected]> wrote:
In 1275 there was an assize of mort d' ancestor brought by Robert deMortimerand Jocosa his wife against John son of William la Zusche, touching possessions in Petworth and Ludgershall, Sussex. (Annual Report of the Duty Keeper of Public Records. GBPRO.)
Joyce's first husband, Nicholas de Whelton, by whom she had Felecia, was dead and Joyce/Jocosa had by ca. 1268 married deMortimer.
[Snipped]
What is the basis of the statement that they married "ca 1268" ?
Thanks
Will Johnson