Sir Roger Mortimer is
not a name that necessarily leaps to the lips when thinking of
English history. However, he was a very interesting character, and
Ian Mortimer’s biography (the only one, it seems, of the subject)
paints an intriguing picture.
During his life Roger
Mortimer made war in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, and played
a critical role wresting Ireland from Edward Bruce (the younger
brother of Robert Bruce), the only Scottish King of Ireland in
history.
He was a capable
warrior and leader of men, perhaps the most successful soldier in
England during his prime, and a skilled user of spies and political
manipulation.
Roger was one of King
Edward II’s companions and was loyal for much of his life, until
Hugh Despenser gained ascendency and favour. Despenser’s tyranny
and Edward’s blind allegiance to him led to wars hot and cold
until, finally, Despenser was killed and Edward imprisoned. A lot of
what might sound inherently wicked (when Roger rebelled, for example)
is actually not only explicable when placed in context, but can even
be sympathised with.
Ian Mortimer claims
Edward II survived his alleged murder, and that this was used by
Roger to blackmail Edward III into compliance. The author makes a
strong case for Edward II’s survival past his supposed murder, and,
though I’m not a historian myself, I found it quite convincing.
The book is
well-written and little to no prior knowledge is necessary to
understand the political situation.
Whilst it is a
biography of Sir Roger Mortimer, his story is necessarily intertwined
with that of Edward II, the king who was not only his contemporary,
but who imprisoned Roger and was subsequently overthrown by him.
Incidentally, I can
strongly recommend buying this book as a set along with Marc Morris’ biography of Edward I and Ian Mortimer’s biography of Edward III.
Thaddeus
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