Welsh Journals

THE MORTIMERS OF WIGMORE. By Rev. L. C. PERFECT, M.A. (OXON). TT is a wise tendency to-day, that seeks to find in the history of local units, whether social, political or economic, the background to the picture of the nation history. For it is there, that the more sensitive wires are to be found, recording year by year, events in the world at large. That, in itself, would make the study of the evolution of this Marcher family of value, but when, in addition, that evolution is connected with the life of the county as a whole, such a study becomes of supreme importance. Wigmore Castle1. on its low promontary, speaks to our generation of the Radnorshire of long ago­of an ancient folk speaking an ancient speech," of the age of Bards and of knightly deeds. And, of more-it speaks of bitter hatred and continual strife. Both aspects are involved in the history of this Marcher family, but as this article is concerned with the growth of the Mortimers, it is the latter and less enduring, that must occupy the attention. Of its ultimate value, the ivy-grown battlements of the castle perhaps provide a commentary. The Mortimers first appear at Wigmore in the reign of William the Conqueror. The castle, built by William Fitz Osbern one of the Conquest Barons-was given to Ralph de Mortemer in 1074, on the overthrow of Williams' son­-Roger.2 The family held estates in Normandy, namely-Morte. met en Brai, in the Pays de Caux, situated at the source of the River Eaulne, from which they derived the name of Mortimer. The caput' of their Honour was later transferred to St. Victor-en-Caux, at which the founder of the dynasty, Roger, erected a priory. His example, no doubt, inspired successive Mortimers to conceive-and build the Wigmore Priory, described by Sir Henry Brakspear in "Archeologia." It illustrates too, that alliance with the Church, characteristic of this Norman Barony. 1. Wigmore is first mentioned in 921 in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 2. Domesday Book f. 183 B.