Earl Roger of Shrewsbury (25 April 1287-29 November 1330), also known as Roger Mortimer, was the Earl of Shrewsbury from 1304 to 1307, succeeding Earl Edmund of Shrewsbury and preceding Edward II of England. He was a powerful marcher lord, and along with his lover Isabella of France, he invaded England in 1326 and dethroned Edward. However, he was killed in Edward III of England's coup in 1330.
Biography[]
A bust of Mortimer at Caerphilly Castle
Roger was born on 25 April 1287 to the House of Mortimer, a dynasty of English Catholics. Roger succeeded his father Earl Edmund of Shrewsbury in 1304 on his death, and he married Joan de Geneville, gaining estates in the Welsh Marches and Ireland. In 1307 King Edward II of England usurped the Earldom of Shrewsbury, and Roger became an enemy of King Edward. In 1316 he was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, giving him more power, and in 1321 he led the major rebellion against King Edward (the "Despenser War") due to his favoritism of Hugh Despenser and his poor rule. Roger was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1322 after the failure of the uprising, and he was later exiled to France. In 1325 Edward's wife Isabella of France headed to France under the guise of going on a diplomatic mission, and she rendezvoused with Roger, and the two of them led an army of mercenaries and rebels on an invasion of England. They deposed Edward and killed the Despenser family; the two became the regents of England for King Edward III of England from 1327 to 1330. In 1330, Edward III seized power, and he had Roger executed and his mother imprisoned, taking power for himself.