June 30 - On the Trail of the Mortimers

The Mortimers of Wigmore - Earls of March

Partly through the good fortune of having an unbroken male succession for over 350 years, and also through conquest, marriage and royal favour, the Mortimers amassed a great empire of estates in England, Wales and Ireland; played key roles in the changing balance of power between the monarchy and nobles; deposed a king and virtually ruled the kingdom for three years; became, in later generations, close heirs to the throne through marriage; and seized the throne through battle when a Mortimer grandson became King Edward IV.

The connections with Cleobury Mortimer are very close - apart from the name, which came about when Claiberie was held by Radulph de Mortimer and became known as Mortimer's Claiberie (the earliest mention of Cleobury Mortimer is in 1666). Subsequent Mortimers had castles here - by the church and at Castle Toot.

This talk will give a history of the Mortimers (notably in their actions and impact on Cleobury and the central Marches) and will take a virtual tour of what there is to see at 17 locations connected with the Mortimers. These include substantial remains of stone-built castles as well as mottes of several smaller castles; churches and tombs; and buildings and art patronised by the family.

About the speaker

Philip Hume is secretary of the Mortimer History Society (which is focused on the medieval Mortimer dynasty) and has recently published a book 'On the Trail of the Mortimers'.

The Cleobury Mortimer Lectures 2016 are in aid of the St Mary's Youth Project