William de Mortimer la Zouche

William de Mortimer la Zouche (d1337) was the second husband of Eleanor de Clare who had these chancel windows made shortly after his death. Eleanor's first husband had been Hugh Despenser the younger, the favourite of Edward II, who was executed at Hereford after Edward II was deposed.

William had taken Eleanor from Hanley Castle after she had been released from the Tower of London in 1329. The two were pursued by the regent Roger Mortimer, and Eleanor was again imprisoned in the Tower and her lands confiscated pending the payment of £50,000 fine. Following the downfall of Roger Mortimer Eleanor and William were pardoned by Edward III. However, in 1331 Sir John Grey of Rotherfield claimed that de Zouche had abducted Eleanor against her will and that Eleanor was his wife. Edward III, however, confirmed that William and Eleanor's marriage was legal, but the following year the two came to blows over the issue in Edward's presence. At the September parliament the Baron's sided with William.1

In 1326 when Isabella of France and Roger Mortimer had invaded England with the young Edward, William had remained loyal to Edward II. It was only after the execution of Hugh Despenser the Elder that he came over to the cause of Isabella and her son.2

In 1330 Edmund, earl of Kent, plotted to free brother, Edward II, from Corfe Castle and reisntall him as king. Edmund had been lead to believe that Edward had survived the events of 1327 and was being held a prisoner. Roger Mortimer had Edmund arrested and executed for treason against Edward III. A list of 40 people to be arrested including William, mentioned frequently in Edmund's confession,3 was supposed to have been one of Edmund's main supporters was issued by Roger Mortimer.4 Following the execution of Mortimer and his confession that Edmund had been executed unlawfully, William petitioned that the cases against him be dropped and was acquitted.5

• 1. Phillips, S. Edward II. Yale English Monarchs Series (Yale University Press, 2011). p140.
• 2. Phillips, S. Edward II. Yale English Monarchs Series (Yale University Press, 2011). p44.
• 3. Mortimer, I. Medieval Intrigue: Decoding Royal Conspiracies. (Continuum Publishing Corporation, 2012). p157.
• 4. Phillips, S. Edward II. Yale English Monarchs Series (Yale University Press, 2011). p88.
• 5. Mortimer, I. Medieval Intrigue: Decoding Royal Conspiracies. (Continuum Publishing Corporation, 2012). p167.