Hugh de Mortimer

Hugh de Mortimer (before 1117 to 26 Feb 1180/1) was a Norman English medieval baron.

Lineage

The son of Hugh de Mortimer (b ? - d 26 Feb 1148/50), the son of Ralf de Mortimer, he was Lord of Wigmore Castle, Cleobury Mortimer and at times, Bridgnorth, Bishop's Castle and Maelienydd.

Anarchy

During the Anarchy of King Stephen's reign, Mortimer was an ardant royalist until at least 1148. This was because Wigmore Castle had been confiscated from his father by King Henry I. He only seems to have returned to England from his Norman estates in 1137.

Private Wars

He did quarrel violently with his neighbouring Lords, most notably with Miles, earl of Hereford, his son Roger and Josse de Dinant, lord of Ludlow. The latter ambushed Mortimer and only released him after the payment of a substantial ransom. During this time Mortimer also took over the Royal castle at Bridgnorth.

Opposition to King Henry II

Hugh was one of the Barons who objected to Henry II's demand for the return of Royal castles in 1155. Henry II launched a campaign in May 1155 against Hugh, simultaneously besieging his three principal castles of Wigmore, Bridgnorth and Cleobury Castles. On 7 July 1155, Hugh formally submitted to Henry II at the Council at Bridgnorth. He was allowed to keep his own two castles (though Cleobury had been destroyed during the siege) but Bridgnorth returned to the crown [Warren, p. 60-61] .

Marriage & Issue

Between 1148 and 1153 Hugh married Maud Le Meschin, daughter of William Le Meschin, lord of Skipton, Yorkshire, and Cecily de Rumilly. Matilda was the widow of Philip Belmeis of Tong. Their son Roger Mortimer of Wigmore succeeded his father as lord of Wigmore.

Notes

ources

* [http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLISH%20NOBILITY%20MEDIEVAL2.htm#_Toc127590546 FMG on the Mortimers and the Earls of March]
*Remfry., P.M., "Wigmore Castle, 1066 to 1181" (ISBN 1-899376-14-3)
*Weis, Frederick Lewis "Ancestral Roots of Certain American Colonist Who Came To America Before 1700" (7th ed.), line 136-24
*Davies, Norman, "The Isles: A History"
*Barber, Richard, "Henry Plantagenet"
*cite book | first=W.L. | last=Warren | title=Henry II | year=1973 | isbn=0520034945