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 POLITICAL HISTORY the death of Edmund, seventh Lord Mortimer, in 1304, his son and heir, Roger, was entrusted to Gaveston's wardship. The young Mortimer, however, emancipated himself by a payment of a fine of 2,500 marks. In 13 10 Hereford was one of the lords ordainers.^" He was present at Gaveston's execution in June, 13 12,"* and was included in the general pardon issued on 16 October, 1313."^ He declined to follower Lancaster in his extreme and unpatriotic opposition to Edward in regard to Scotland, and in 13 14 he was taken prisoner at Bannockburn ^°° and exchanged for Elizabeth de Burgh, Bruce's wife.""^ In 1 3 1 6 he put down Llywelyn Bren's rising in Glamorgan.'"'^ He was one of the permanent council appointed in 13 18 ; "'" but although with the majority of the Marcher lords he followed the earl of Pembroke in trying to mediate between Lancaster and the king,'"* he finally adhered to Lancaster's party, carrying with him the lesser gentry of Herefordshire. About 1320 a dispute arose for the possession of Gower between Hereford and the younger Despenser, who had inherited Glamorgan as part of his share of the Gloucester heritage, and who feared the further growth of Hereford's power in the southern Marches. Despenser invoked the king, as overlord, while Hereford contended that the matter ought to be settled according to the custom of the Marches. The quarrel led to an appeal to arms, in which Hereford was supported by Lord Mortimer of Wigmore and his uncle, Roger de Mortimer of Chirk.*"^ They triumphed over the Despensers, and for the time over the king himself, Hereford proclaiming the decree banishing the elder Despenser in Westminster Hall."'" Edward, how- ever, took up arms in support of his authority, advanced to Shrewsbury in January, 1 32 1—2, and forced the Mortimers to submit.""' He crossed the Severn and entered Hereford, where he sharply reproved the bishop, Adam of Orlton, for his treason in siding with the rebels. On 16 March the earl of Hereford was slain at Boroughbridge by Andrew Harclay.""* In 1326, when Edward II was finally overthrown by Isabella and Mortimer, his son Prince Edward was proclaimed Lord Warden of England on 20 October by an assembly of nobles at Hereford.""^ On 17 November the earl of Arundel was tried and executed there,"" and seven days later the younger Despenser.'" Mortimer had directed the revolution, and he reaped the benefit. On 8 June, 1327, he was appointed chief keeper of the peace in the counties of Hereford, Stafford, and Worcester,"^" and on 29 September, 1328, he was created earl of March. In October, 1330, Edward HI overthrew Mortimer, and his attainder and execution in November left his lands at the '" Chron. Edta. I and Edtv. II (Rolls Ser.), i, 172 ; ii, 37, 40. "' Ibid, i, 207 ; ii, 298 ; Nic. Trevei Cottt. (Engl. Hist. Soc), 9. "' Statutes of the Realm (Rec. Com.), i, 169. "" Eulopum Hist. (Rolls Ser.), iii, 195 ; Trokelowe, Jnnals (Rolls Ser.), 85. "" Ibid. 86 ; Nic. Trevet Cont. (Engl. Hist. Soc), 16. "• Foedera (1816), ii, 283-4 ; Chrrni. Edzv. I and II (Rolls Ser.), i, 216-18. "' Foedera, ii, 370 ; Chron. Edw. I and II (Rolls Ser.), ii, 54. «» Ibid, ii, 236. •"' Trokelowe, Annals (Rolls Ser.), 107 ; Capgrave's Chron. (Rolls Ser.), 186-7. »°' Trokelowe, Annals (Rolls Ser.), 1 10 ; Chron. Edtv. I and II (Rolls Ser.), i, 292-5. "' Pari. Writs,ll, ii, App. 176. '"' Chron. Edta. I and II (Rolls Ser.), ii, 264-9 5 Polychronicon R. Higden (Rolls Ser.), viii, 312; Trokelowe, Annals (Rolls Sen), 124, 126 ; Capgrave's Chron. (Rolls Ser.), 189. "' Ibid. p. 196 ; Walsingham's Hist. Angl. (Rolls Ser.), i, 184 ; Foedera, ii, 646. "° Chron. Edtv. I andll, i, 321 ; ii, 308, 311. "' Ibid, i, 319-20 ; Capgrave's Chron. (Rolls Ser.), 197. "» CaL Pat. R. 1327-30, p. 152. 367