Biography of Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke 1317-1368

Paternal Family Tree: Mortimer

Maternal Family Tree: Jeanne Fougères Countess Lusignan Countess La Marche and Angoulême

1322 Battle of Boroughbridge

1326 Execution of Hugh Despencer The Younger

1328 Mortimer Double Marriage and Tournament

1328 Roger Mortimer created Earl of March

1330 Execution of Edmund of Woodstock

1330 Execution of Roger Mortimer

1359 Double Royal Wedding

On 20 Sep 1301 [her father] Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 14) and [her mother] Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville (age 15) were married. They were third cousin once removed. He a great x 3 grandson of King John "Lackland" of England.

In Jul 1304 [her grandfather] Edmund Mortimer 2nd Baron Mortimer of Wigmore (age 53) died at Wigmore Castle, Herefordshire [Map]. He was buried at Wigmore Abbey [Map]. His son [her father] Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 17) succeeded 3rd Baron Mortimer of Wigmore. [her mother] Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville (age 18) by marriage Baroness Mortimer of Wigmore.

On 21 Oct 1314 Geoffrey Geneville 1st Baron Geneville (age 88) died at Trim County Meath. He was buried at Black Friary, Trim, County Meath. His granddaughter [her mother] Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville (age 28) succeeded 2nd Baroness Geneville. She and her husband [her father] Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 27) inherited the vast legacy of the de Lacy dynasty, including Ludlow Castle [Map].

In 1317 Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke was born to Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 29) and Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville (age 30).

On 19 Apr 1319 Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick (age 6) and [her sister] Katherine Mortimer Countess Warwick (age 5) were married. She by marriage Countess Warwick. An arranged marriage although not clear who arranged it or whose ward Thomas Beauchamp 11th Earl Warwick was (his father Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick had died four years before) - possibly by King Edward II of England (age 34) as a means of securing the Welsh March. The Beauchamp family established, the Mortimer family aspirational. The marriage took place after [her father] Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 31) had returned from his tenure as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and before he rebelled against King Edward II of England in opposition to Hugh "Younger" Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 33). She the daughter of Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March and [her mother] Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville (age 33). He the son of Guy Beauchamp 10th Earl Warwick and Alice Tosny Countess Warwick (age 34). They were half second cousin once removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King John "Lackland" of England.

Battle of Boroughbridge

On 16 Mar 1322 the rebel army led by Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln (age 44) attempted to cross the bridge over the River Ure (between Ripon and York) at Boroughbridge Bridge [Map]. Their path was blocked by forces loyal to the King led by Andrew Harclay 1st Earl Carlisle (age 52). Bartholomew Badlesmere 1st Baron Badlesmere (age 46), [her father] Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 34), John Botetort 1st Baron Botetort (age 57) and John Maltravers 1st Baron Maltravers (age 32) fought for the rebels. Roger Clifford 2nd Baron Clifford (age 22), Nicholas Longford (age 37), Thomas Plantagenet 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl Lancaster, Earl of Salisbury and Lincoln, John Mowbray 2nd Baron Mowbray (age 35) were captured.

Warin Lisle (age 51) was hanged after the battle at Pontefract [Map].

Following the battle Hugh Audley 1st Earl Gloucester (age 31) and his wife Margaret Clare Countess Gloucester were both imprisoned. He in Nottingham Castle [Map] and she in Sempringham Priory [Map].

John Clinton 2nd Baron Clinton (age 22), Ralph Greystoke 1st Baron Greystoke (age 22), William Latimer 2nd Baron Latimer of Corby (age 46), Robert Lisle 1st Baron Lisle (age 34), Domhnall Mar II Earl Mar (age 29) and Peter Saltmarsh (age 42) fought for the King.

Adam Everingham 1st Baron Everingham of Laxton (age 43) was captured.

Humphrey Bohun 4th Earl Hereford 3rd Earl Essex (age 46) was killed. His son John Bohun 5th Earl Hereford 4th Earl Essex (age 15) succeeded 5th Earl Hereford, 4th Earl Essex.

Piers Grandison 2nd Baron Grandison (age 31) fough for the rebels, and was captured.

Hugh Audley 1st Baron Audley of Stratton Audley (age 55) surrendered before the battle and was imprisoned in Wallingford Castle [Map] for the rest of his life

John Giffard 2nd Baron Giffard Brimpsfield (age 34) was captured.

On 20 Jan 1325 John Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings 14th Baron Bergavenny (age 38) died. His son [her future husband] Laurence Hastings 1st Earl Pembroke (age 5) succeeded 3rd Baron Hastings, 14th Baron Bergavenny Feudal Creation.

Execution of Hugh Despencer The Younger

On 24 Nov 1326 Hugh "Younger" Despencer 1st Baron Despencer (age 40) was hanged in Hereford [Map]. Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 31) and [her father] Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 39) were present.

He was dragged naked through the streets, for the crowd's mistreatment. He was made a spectacle, which included writing on his body biblical verses against the capital sins he was accused of. Then he was hanged as a mere commoner, yet released before full asphyxiation could happen.

He was then tied firmly to a ladder and his genitals sliced off and burned while he was still conscious. His entrails were slowly pulled out; finally, his heart was cut out and thrown into a fire. His body was beheaded and cut into four pieces. His head was mounted on the gates of London.

Baron Despencer forfeit.

Mortimer Double Marriage and Tournament

On 31 May 1328 the Mortimer family leveraged their new status at a lavish ceremony that celebrated the marriages of two of Roger Mortimer's (age 41) daughters at Hereford [Map].

Edward Plantagenet (age 8) and Beatrice Mortimer (age 6) were married. She the daughter of Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March and Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville (age 42). He the son of Thomas of Brotherton 1st Earl Norfolk (age 27) and Alice Hales Countess Norfolk. They were half third cousin once removed. He a grandson of King Edward I of England. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King John "Lackland" of England.

Laurence Hastings 1st Earl Pembroke (age 9) and Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke (age 11) were married. She the daughter of Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March and Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville. He the son of John Hastings 2nd Baron Hastings 14th Baron Bergavenny and Juliana Leybourne Countess Huntingdon (age 25). They were third cousin once removed. She a great x 4 granddaughter of King John "Lackland" of England.

King Edward III of England (age 15) and his mother Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 33) attended as well as Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March.

Roger Mortimer created Earl of March

In Oct 1328 [her father] Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 41) was created 1st Earl March by his own authority to the surprise, perhaps astonishment, of the nobility who compared his behaviour as similar to the usurped Edward II.

Execution of Edmund of Woodstock

On 19 Mar 1330 the King's uncle Edmund of Woodstock 1st Earl Kent (age 28) was beheaded at Winchester Castle [Map]. Earl Kent forfeit. The executioner was a convicted latrine cleaner who was also facing the death penalty; no-one else would undertake the task of executing a member of the Royal family. Edmund had been convicted of plotting against the court believing his brother Edward II was still alive. It later emerged the plot had been created by [her father] Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 42) to entrap Edmund. King Edward III of England (age 17) was unable to show leniency risking complicity in the plot. He was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map].

Execution of Roger Mortimer

On 29 Nov 1330 [her father] Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March (age 43) was hanged naked at Tyburn [Map] accused of assuming royal power and of various other high misdemeanours. His body hung at the gallows for two days and nights. He was buried at Christ Church, Greyfriars [Map]. Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 35) subsequently requested his burial at Wigmore Abbey [Map] and, after firstly refusing, King Edward III of England (age 18) allowed his remains to be removed to Wigmore Abbey [Map]. His grandson Roger Mortimer 2nd Earl March (age 2) succeeded 2nd Earl March, 4th Baron Mortimer of Wigmore.

In 1339 [her husband] Laurence Hastings 1st Earl Pembroke (age 19) was created 1st Earl Pembroke. Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke (age 22) by marriage Countess Pembroke.

On 29 Aug 1347 [her son] John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke was born to [her husband] Laurence Hastings 1st Earl Pembroke (age 28) and Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke (age 30) at Sutton Valence, Maidstone.

On 20 Aug 1348 [her husband] Laurence Hastings 1st Earl Pembroke (age 29) died at Abergavenny Castle [Map]. He was buried at Abergavenny Priory [Map]. His son [her son] John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke succeeded 2nd Earl Pembroke, 4th Baron Hastings, 15th Baron Bergavenny Feudal Creation.

On 19 Oct 1356 [her mother] Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville (age 70) died. She was buried at Wigmore Abbey [Map].

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 15th of December [1357] the Queen (age 62) was visited by the Countess of Pembroke (age 40), who passed the entire day with her; and, from the frequency of her subsequent visits, it would appear that she was one of Isabella's closest friends. And, again, what can we infer but a clinging on her part to the memory of her [her father] lover, when we find that this lady, widow of [her former husband] Lawrence Hastings, Earl of Pembroke, was none other than Agnes, daughter of Mortimer himself; and that we thus have recorded visits received by Isabella of a daughter, the grandson, and grandson's brother-in law of her favourite, within the space of one month?

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 10th and 11th of January, 1358, Isabella (age 63) is visited by the Countess of Pembroke (age 41), the Countess of Kent (age 28), and Sir John de Wynewyk. Of these, the Countess of Pembroke has been already noticed. The Countess of Kent was Isabella, daughter of the Marquess of Juliers (age 59), and widow of John Plantagenet, Earl of Kent. Her husband had died in the year 13531; upon which she took the veil at Waverley [Map]; but afterwards, as Dugdale tells us, "quitting her profession, was clandestinely married to Sir Eustace Dabrischecourt." The name of this knight is usually written D'Ambreticourt. He was the son of Sir Sanchez D'Ambreticourt (age 28), Knight of the Garter, and a descendant of the poor knight of Ostrevant, in Hainault, in whose house Isabella found shelter on her dismissal from the court of her brother, Charles IV. of France, and whom, with his whole family, she had invited over into England, and had in various ways advanced. In reference to the Countess of Kent, Froissart says— "This lady was greatly attached to Sir Eustace D'Ambreticourt, for his gallant deeds of arms, which had been related to her: and she sent him coursers, hackneys, and letters full of love; which so much emboldened Sir Eustace, and spurred him to perform such feats of chivalry and of arms, that all those under him made fortunes." Dugdale tells us, in respect of the Countess's breach of her vows, that "she and her said husband, being personally convented before the said Archbishop of Canterbury in his manor house of Maghfeld," the Archbishop imposed on them a certain penance of prayers and alms very skilfully adapted to their offence.

Of Sir John de Wynewyk, I have been unable to learn anything of certainty. He appears to have been attached to the King's court, and was perhaps the medium employed for managing Isabella's affairs. He visited her and exchanged letters with her constantly.

Note 1. Possibly a mistake for 1352? John Plantagenet 3rd Earl Kent died 26 Dec 1352.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 21st [Mar 1358], William, Archbishop of Sens, now in England to negotiate a treaty of peace for his Sovereign with the English Monarch, the Maréchal D'Audenham, and the Countess of Pembroke (age 41), spend the entire day with Isabella (age 63); and her grandson, the Earl of Richmond (age 18), arrives to supper.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 12th [Apr 1358], the Countess of Pembroke (age 41) again came to dinner.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. Reverting to the notices of visitors from the time of the Queen's leaving Hertford, we find that on the 17th of April [1358], in London, the Maréchal D'Audenham passed the entire day with her; the Countess of Pembroke (age 41) and Sir John de Wynewyk coming to supper.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 18th [Apr 1358], also in London, the Countess of Pembroke (age 41), the Earl of Ponthieu (age 39) (another of the captives of Poitiers), and the Maréchal D'Audenham came to dinner— "et plures comites et barones post prandium.1".

Note 1. "and several counts and barons after dinner"

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. The following visits, during her [Isabella of France Queen Consort England (age 63)] stay in London, are recorded. On the 30th of April, the Countess of Warren to supper (age 62). On the 1st of May, the Countess of Pembroke (age 41) to dinner; and the King after dinner. On the 2nd of May, the Countesses of Warren and Pembroke to dinner; and the King (age 45), the Prince of Wales (age 27), the Earl of March (age 29), and others, after dinner. On the 3rd of May, the Countess of Pembroke and the Maréchal D'Audenham to dinner; and the Earl of Arundel (age 52), "et plures magnates Franciæ1," after dinner. On the 4th, the Count of Tancarville to dinner. On the 5th, the Countesses of Warren and Pembroke and the Maréchal D'Audenham again to dinner; and the Chancellor of England and many French noblemen after dinner. On the 6th the Chief Justice and the Barons of the Exchequer to dinner. On the four following days, the Countesses of Warren, Kent, and Pembroke dine with the Queen; and on the last of the four Sir John de Wynewyk comes to supper. On the 11th, Queen Philippa (age 43) appears to have dined with Isabella, but the entry is partially obliterated; the Earl Marshal and other noblemen came after dinner. On the 12th, the Countess of Pembroke dined, and the Cardinals ( of Périgord and St. Vitalis ), the Archbishop of Sens, and some French noblemen came after dinner. On Sunday the 13th, the Countess of Warren and others from London, as it is expressed, dined; and the King of France, the Chancellor of England, and others, visited the Queen after dinner.

Note 1. and several magnates of France.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 24th [May 1358], the Countess of Pembroke (age 41) and some Scottish noblemen came to dinner.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 2nd of June [1358], the Countess of Pembroke (age 41) came to dinner.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 19th [Aug 1358], the Countess of Pembroke (age 41) spent the entire day at the castle [Map]; and Sir John de Wynewyk came to supper.

Double Royal Wedding

On 19 May 1359, or thereabouts, a double-royal wedding celebration took place at Reading Abbey, Berkshire [Map] whereby two children of King Edward III of England (age 46) were married:

John of Gaunt 1st Duke Lancaster (age 19) and Blanche Duchess of Lancaster (age 17) were married. She by marriage Countess Richmond. She the daughter of Henry of Grosmont 1st Duke Lancaster (age 49) and Isabel Beaumont Duchess Lancaster (age 39). He the son of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England (age 44). They were half second cousin once removed. She a great x 2 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.

[her son] John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke (age 11) and [her daughter-in-law] Margaret Plantagenet Countess of Pembroke (age 12) were married. At the time John Hastings 2nd Earl Pembroke was a ward of King Edward III of England who would enjoy the benefit of the substantial revenue of the Earldom of Pembroke until John came of age nine years later in 1368. She died two or so years later probably of plague. She the daughter of King Edward III of England and Philippa of Hainault Queen Consort England. He the son of [her former husband] Laurence Hastings 1st Earl Pembroke and Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke (age 42). They were half fourth cousins. He a great x 5 grandson of King John "Lackland" of England.

In 1368 Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke (age 51) died.

Archaeologia Volume 35 1853 XXXIII. On the 20th of April, at Shene [Map], the Earl of Tancarville, the Countesses of Pembroke and Warren, "et alii magnates1," dined with the Queen.

Note 1. "and other magnates".

Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke 1317-1368 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw 1172-1240

Royal Ancestors of Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke 1317-1368

Kings Wessex: Great x 10 Grand Daughter of King Edmund "Ironside" I of England

Kings Gwynedd: Great x 5 Grand Daughter of Owain "Great" King Gwynedd

Kings Seisyllwg: Great x 11 Grand Daughter of Hywel "Dda aka Good" King Seisyllwg King Deheubarth

Kings Powys: Great x 6 Grand Daughter of Maredudd ap Bleddyn King Powys

Kings England: Great x 4 Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Kings Scotland: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of King Duncan I of Scotland

Kings Franks: Great x 15 Grand Daughter of Charles "Charlemagne aka Great" King Franks King Lombardy Holy Roman Emperor

Kings France: Great x 9 Grand Daughter of Robert "Pious" II King France

Ancestors of Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke 1317-1368

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Mortimer

Great x 3 Grandfather: Roger Mortimer

Great x 4 Grandmother: Matilda Gernon

Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Mortimer

Great x 4 Grandfather: Walchelin Ferrers

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Ferrers

Great x 1 Grandfather: Roger Mortimer 1st Baron Mortimer of Wigmore Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Llewellyn "The Great" Aberffraw

Great x 4 Grandmother: Marared ferch Madog Mathrafal

Great x 2 Grandmother: Gwladus verch Llewelyn "Dark Eyed" Aberffraw Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: King John "Lackland" of England Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Joan Plantagenet Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Adela Plantagenet

GrandFather: Edmund Mortimer 2nd Baron Mortimer of Wigmore 2 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 2 Grandfather: William de Braose

Great x 3 Grandmother: Graecia Briwere

Great x 1 Grandmother: Maud de Braose

Great x 4 Grandfather: John Fitzgilbert

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sybil of Salisbury

Great x 2 Grandmother: Eva Marshal

Great x 3 Grandmother: Isabel Clare Countess Pembroke

Great x 4 Grandmother: Aoife NI Diarmait Macmurrough Countess Pembroke and Buckingham

Father: Roger Mortimer 1st Earl March 3 x Great Grand Son of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Engeurrand "Crusader" Fiennes

Great x 3 Grandfather: William Fiennes

Great x 4 Grandmother: Sibylle Flanders

Great x 2 Grandfather: Enguerrand Ingleram Fiennes

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alberic Dammartin

Great x 3 Grandmother: Agnes Dammartin

Great x 4 Grandmother: Mathilde Clermont

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Fiennes

Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabel Provence

GrandMother: Margaret Fiennes 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Erard Brienne II Count Brienne

Great x 3 Grandfather: John de Brienne I King Jerusalem

Great x 4 Grandmother: Agnès Montfaucon Countess Brienne

Great x 2 Grandfather: John Beaumont 2 x Great Grand Son of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Alfonso IX King Leon

Great x 3 Grandmother: Beregaria Ivrea Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Berengaria Ivrea I Queen Castile Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 1 Grandmother: Blanche Beaumont 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry "Curtmantle" II of England

Great x 2 Grandmother: Jeanne Chateaudun

Great x 3 Grandmother: Clemence Roches Countess Blois

Agnes Mortimer Countess of Pembroke 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King John "Lackland" of England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Geoffrey IV de Joinville

Great x 2 Grandfather: Simon de Joinville

Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Dampierre

Great x 3 Grandmother: Héluis aka Helvide Dampierre

Great x 4 Grandmother: Helvide Baudémont

Great x 1 Grandfather: Geoffrey Geneville 1st Baron Geneville

GrandFather: Piers Geneville

Great x 4 Grandfather: Hugh Lacy

Great x 3 Grandfather: Walter Lacy Lord Meath

Great x 4 Grandmother: Rohese Monmouth Baroness Lacy

Great x 2 Grandfather: Gilbert Lacy

Great x 4 Grandfather: William de Braose 4th Baron Bramber

Great x 3 Grandmother: Margaret de Braose

Great x 1 Grandmother: Maud Lacy Baroness Geneville

Great x 4 Grandfather: Roger Bigod 2nd Earl Norfolk

Great x 3 Grandfather: Hugh Bigod 3rd Earl Norfolk

Great x 4 Grandmother: Ida Tosny Countess Norfolk

Great x 2 Grandmother: Isabel Bigod

Great x 4 Grandfather: William Marshal 1st Earl Pembroke

Great x 3 Grandmother: Maud Marshal Countess Norfolk and Surrey

Great x 4 Grandmother: Isabel Clare Countess Pembroke

Mother: Joan Geneville Baroness Mortimer 2nd Baroness Geneville 7 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 1 Grandfather: Hugh Lusignan XII Count Lusignan VII Count La Marche III Count Angoulême 5 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Robert Capet II Count Dreux

Great x 3 Grandfather: Peter of Dreux aka Mauclerc Duke Brittany

Great x 4 Grandmother: Yolande Coucy Countess Dreux

Great x 2 Grandmother: Yolande Capet Countess Lusignan, La Marche and Angoulême 4 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Guy Thouars

Great x 3 Grandmother: Alix Thouars Duchess of Brittany 3 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Constance Penthièvre Duchess Brittany 2 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

GrandMother: Jeanne Lusignan 6 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 2 Grandfather: Raoul Fougères

Great x 1 Grandmother: Jeanne Fougères Countess Lusignan Countess La Marche and Angoulême