Princess of Wales and Lady of Snowdon Joan

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• Reference Number: 15697

Notes:

Joan, Princess of Wales and Lady of Snowdon, (c. 1191 - 2 February 1237) was the wife of Llywelyn the Great, Prince of Wales and Gwynedd and effective ruler of most of Wales.

Early life

Joan was a natural daughter of King John of England and Agatha de Ferrers. She should not be confused with her half-sister Joan, Queen Consort of Scotland.
Little is known about her early life. Her mother's name is known only from Joan's obituary in the Tewkesbury Annals, where she is called "Regina Clementina" (Queen Clemence). Joan seems to have spent part of her childhood in France, as King John had her brought to the Kingdom of England from Normandy in December 1203 in preparation for her wedding to prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth.
[edit]Marriage

Joan married Llywelyn the Great between December 1203 and October 1204. She and Llywelyn had at least two children together:
Elen ferch Llywelyn (Helen or Ellen) (1207-1253), married (1) John the Scot, Earl of Chester and (2) Robert II de Quincy
Dafydd ap Llywelyn (c. 1215-1246) married Isabella de Braose, died at Garth Celyn, Aber Garth Celyn, (Aber).
Some of Llywelyn's other recorded children may also have been Joan's:
Gwladus Ddu (1206-1251), married (1) Reginald de Braose and (2) Ralph de Mortimer.
Susanna, who was sent to England as a hostage in 1228.
Margaret, who married Sir John de Braose, the grandson of William de Braose, 4th Lord of Bramber and had issue.
In April 1226 Joan obtained a papal decree from Pope Honorius III, declaring her legitimate on the basis that her parents had not been married to others at the time of her birth, but without giving her a claim to the English throne.
[edit]Adultery with William de Braose

At Easter 1230, William de Braose, 10th Baron Abergavenny, who was Llywelyn's prisoner at the time, was discovered with Joan in Llywelyn's bedchamber. William de Braose was hanged at Aber Garth Celyn on 2 May 1230; the place was known as 'Gwern y Grog' and the incident remembered down the generations by the local community. A recent suggestion that the execution might have taken place at Crogen near Bala rests on the suggestion that 'Crogen' and 'Crokein' are one and the same: there is however no further eveidence in the area to lend this substance.
Joan was placed under house arrest for twelve months after the incident. She was then, according to the Chronicle of Chester, forgiven by Llywelyn, and restored to favour. She may have given birth to a daughter early in 1231.
Joan was never called Princess of Wales, but, in Welsh, "Lady of Wales". She died at the royal home, Garth Celyn, Aber Garth Celyn, on the north coast of Gwynedd in 1237. Llywelyn's great grief at her death is recorded; he founded a Franciscan friary on the seashore at Llanfaes, opposite the royal home, in her honour. The friary was consecrated in 1240, shortly before Llywelyn died. It was destroyed in 1537 by Henry VIII of England during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Joan's stone coffin can be seen in Beaumaris parish church, Anglesey. Above the empty coffin is a slate panel inscribed: "This plain sarcophagus, (once dignified as having contained the remains of JOAN, daughter of King JOHN, and consort of LLEWELYN ap IOWERTH, Prince of North Wales, who died in the year 1237), having been conveyed from the Friary of Llanfaes, and alas, used for many years as a horsewatering trough, was rescued from such an indignity and placed here for preseravation as well as to excite serious meditation on the transitory nature of all sublunary distinctions. By THOMAS JAMES WARREN BULKELEY, Viscount BULKELEY, Oct 1808"
[edit]Fiction

Joan and her affair with William de Braose is the subject of Saunders Lewis's Welsh verse play Siwan.
Edith Pargeter's novel The Green Branch.
Sharon Kay Penman's novel Here Be Dragons.
[edit]References

[edit]Sources

Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum in Turri Londinensi I, p. 12.
Henry Luard. Annales Monastici 1, 1864
Tewkesbury Annals
Ancestral Roots of Certain American Colonists Who Came to America Before 1700 By Frederick Lewis Weis, Lines: 27-27, 29A-28, 29A-29, 176B-27, 254-28, 254-29

married Llywelyn Ap Iorwerth Abt 1204. Llywelyn (son of Iorwerth Drwyndwn) was born 1173, Dolwyddelan, Caernarvonshire, Wales; died 11 Apr 1240, Cistercian, Wales; was buried , Aberconwy, Wales. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 8813

Helen — Domhnall I of Mar. Domhnall (son of William of Mar and Muriel) was born Abt 1243, Scotland; died Abt 1302, Scotland. [Group Sheet]

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• Name: Gwladus the Dark
• Reference Number: 15667

Gwladus married Ralph De Mortimer 1230. Ralph (son of Roger De Mortimer and Isabel De Ferrers) was born Bef 1198; died Bef 2 Oct 1246. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 15698

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• Reference Number: 8814

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• Reference Number: 146
• Death: 12 Dec 1296

Notes:

Isabella of Mar (modern Scottish Gaelic: Iseabail) (c. 1277 - 12 December 1296) was the first wife of Robert the Bruce and the grandmother of Robert II of Scotland, founder of the royal House of Stuart. She died before Robert was crowned King of Scots, and never became Queen.

She was the daughter of Domhnall I, Earl of Mar and Helen (or Ellen) of Wales (1246-1295), the illegitimate daughter of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth ("the Great") Prince of Wales; she had previously been the wife of Maol Choluim II, Earl of Fife. Her father was one of the seven guardians of Scotland who believed Robert Bruce to be the rightful King of Scotland. Despite the considerable risks, the Earl of Mar could foresee the advantage of the two families joining in marriage and bearing an heir to the throne, and the marriage of Isabella and Robert was arranged. Mar was the first to sign over the estates of his family to the Bruce.

Isabella was married to Robert at the age of 18 and legend has it that they were much in love. Shortly after their marriage Isabella became pregnant. She had a healthy pregnancy but she died soon after giving birth to a daughter, Marjorie Bruce in 1296. She is buried at Paisley Abbey, Renfrewshire.

Robert married his second wife, Elizabeth de Burgh, six years later. Isabella's daughter Princess Marjorie (died 1316) married Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland, and their son became Robert II of Scotland. From him descend the monarchs of the House of Stewart and the later royal families of the United Kingdom.

Isabella — Robert Bruce, I. Robert (son of Robert De Brus, VI and Margaret of Carrick) was born 11 Jul 1274, Kirkoswald, Ayrshire, Scotland; died 7 Jun 1329, Cardross, Dunbartonshire, Scotland; was buried , Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 23

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• Reference Number: 86

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• Name: Gartnait mac Domhnaill
• Reference Number: 130

Notes:

Gartnait of Mar - Gartnait mac Domhnaill (Gartnait, Donald's son) - was the eighth known Mormaer of Mar, ruling from somewhere around 1301, perhaps as early as 1297, until his death in 1305. He was a son of Domhnall I of Mar, brother of Isabella of Mar and brother-in-law of Robert I of Scotland.

We last hear of his father alive in 1297, and we hear of his son Gartnait as Mormaer perhaps in 1302, and definitely by 1305. Gartnait himself is known to have collaborated with Edward in some form during the crackdown of 1297, but this does not necessarily mean any break with his father or with Robert I, whom his fathered supported.

In 1302, a document containing terms of reconciliation between Edward I of England and Robert stipulates that Robert should act as warden of Gartnait,1 implying that Gartnait's father Domhnall had just died. However, he was married to Robert's sister Christina Bruce, perhaps in 1295.

Garnait — Christina Bruce. Christina (daughter of Robert De Brus, VI and Margaret of Carrick) was born Abt 1273, Seton, East Lothian, Scotland; died Abt 1356. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 180

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• Reference Number: 15660

Notes:

Roger Mortimer (1231 - 30 October 1282), 1st Baron Mortimer, was a famous and honoured knight from Wigmore Castle in Herefordshire. He was a loyal ally of King Henry III of England. He was at times an enemy, at times an ally, of the Welsh prince, Llywelyn the Last.

Early career

Born in 1231, Roger was the son of Ralph de Mortimer and his Welsh wife, Princess Gwladys Ddu, daughter of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth.
In 1256 Roger went to war with Llywelyn ap Gruffydd when the latter invaded his lordship of Gwrtheyrnion or Rhayader. This war would continue intermittently until the death of both Roger and Llywelyn in 1282. They were both grandsons of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth.
Mortimer fought for the King against the rebel Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, and almost lost his life in 1264 at the Battle of Lewes fighting Montfort's men. In 1265 Mortimer's wife, Maud de Braose helped rescue Prince Edward; and Mortimer and the Prince made an alliance against de Montfort.
[edit]Victor at Evesham

In August 1265, de Montfort's army was surrounded by the River Avon on three sides, and Prince Edward's army on the fourth. Mortimer had sent his men to block the only possible escape route, at the Bengeworth bridge. The Battle of Evesham began in earnest. A storm roared above the battle field. Montfort's Welsh soldiers broke and ran for the bridge, where they were slaughtered by Mortimer's men. Mortimer himself killed Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester in crushing Montfort's army. Mortimer was awarded Montfort's severed head and other parts of his anatomy, which he sent home to Wigmore Castle as a gift for his wife, Lady Mortimer.
[edit]Marriage and children

Lady Mortimer was Maud de Braose, daughter of William de Braose, Lord of Abergavenny by Eva Marshal. Roger Mortimer had married her in 1247. She was, like him, a scion of a Welsh Marches family. Their children were:
Ralph Mortimer, died 1276.
Edmund Mortimer, 2nd Baron Mortimer (1251-1304), married Margaret de Fiennes, the daughter of William II de Fiennes and Blanche de Brienne. Had issue, including Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March
Isabella Mortimer, died 1292. She married (1) John Fitzalan, 7th Earl of Arundel, (2) Robert de Hastings
Margaret Mortimer, died 1297. She married Robert de Vere, 6th Earl of Oxford
Roger Mortimer of Chirk, died 1326.
Geoffrey Mortimer, a knight
William Mortimer, a knight
Their eldest son, Ralph, was a famed knight but died in his youth. The second son, Edmund, was recalled from Oxford University and appointed his father's heir.
[edit]Epitaph

Roger Mortimer died on 30 October 1282, and was buried at Wigmore Abbey, where his tombstone read:
Here lies buried, glittering with praise, Roger the pure, Roger Mortimer the second, called Lord of Wigmore by those who held him dear. While he lived all Wales feared his power, and given as a gift to him all Wales remained his. It knew his campaigns, he subjected it to torment.
[edit]Sources

Mortimer, Ian. The Greatest Traitor, 2003.
Remfry, P.M., Wigmore Castle Tourist Guide and the Family of Mortimer (ISBN 1-899376-76-3)
Remfry, P.M., Brampton Bryan Castle, 1066 to 1646 (ISBN 1-899376-33-X)
Dugdale, Sir William The Baronage of England, Vol. 1, 1661.

Roger married Maud De Braose 1247. Maud (daughter of William De Braose and Eva Marshal) was born 1224; died 1301. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 15678

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• Reference Number: 15679

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• Reference Number: 15680

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• Name: Marjory Bruce
• Reference Number: 37173

Notes:

Buried:
Paisley Abbey

Marjorie — Walter Stewart. Walter (son of James Stewart and Egidia Burgh) was born Abt 1296; died 9 Apr 1327, Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland. [Group Sheet]

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• Name: Donald II
• Reference Number: 81

Notes:

Domhnall (or Donald) II of Mar (c. 1302 in Saline, Fife - 11 August 1332) was Regent of Scotland for just over a week during the minority of David II.

His father was Gartnait, Earl of Mar, and his mother was Christina Bruce, sister of Robert I of Scotland. In 1332 the regent, Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray, died. On August 2 Domhnall was elected as the new regent at a meeting of the Scottish nobles at Perth.

Following the invasion of Edward Balliol, with the support of Edward III of England, Mar led the Scots loyalists to confront them. He was defeated and killed at the Battle of Dupplin Moor, only nine days after his election as regent.

Through his marriage to Isabella Stewart they had a son Thomas, and a single daughter, Margaret, who succeeded her brother and became in her turn Countess of Mar.

From: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domhnall_II,_Earl_of_Mar)

Died:
Battle Of Dupplin Moor

Domhnall — Isabella Stewart. Isabella (daughter of Alexander Stewart) was born Abt 1300, Scotland; died 1347, Scotland. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 140

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• Reference Number: 4430

Notes:

Edmund de Mortimer, 2nd Baron Wigmore (1251 - July 17, 1304) was the second son and eventual heir of Roger de Mortimer, 1st Baron Wigmore. His mother was Maud de Braose. As a younger son, Edmund had been intended for clerical or monastic life, and had been sent to study at Oxford University. He was made Treasurer of York in 1265. But the sudden death of his elder brother, Ralph, in 1276, made him heir to the family estates.

He returned in 1282 as the new Baron Mortimer of Wigmore and immediately became involved in Welsh Marches politics. Together with his brother Roger Mortimer of Chirk, John Giffard, and Roger Lestrange, he devised a plan to trap Llywelyn the Last. Edmund sent a message to Llywelyn telling him he was coming to Llywelyn's aid and arranged to meet with him at Builth. But Edmund's brothers secretly forded the river behind Llywelyn's army and surprised the Welsh. In the resulting battle Llywelyn was killed and beheaded. Edmund then send his brother Roger Mortimer of Chirk to present Llywelyn's severed head to King Edward I of England.

In September 1285, he married Margaret de Fiennes, the daughter of William II de Fiennes and Blanche de Brienne (herself the granddaughter of John of Brienne by his third wife Berenguela of Leon).

Their children were:
Isolde Mortimer, married Hugh I de Audley
Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March
Maude Mortimer, married Theobald II de Verdun
Edmund was knighted by King Edward at Winchester, and served in the king's Gascon and Scottish campaigns. He was mortally wounded in a skirmish near Builth, and died at Wigmore Castle.

Edmund married Margaret De Fiennes Sep 1285. Margaret (daughter of William De Fiennes, II and Blanche De Brienne) was born Aft 1269; died 7 Feb 1333. [Group Sheet]

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• Reference Number: 15670

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• Reference Number: 15671

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• Reference Number: 15672

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• Reference Number: 15673

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• Reference Number: 15674

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• Reference Number: 15675