Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March (1287-1330) was an English nobleman who deposed King Edward II of England (reign 1307-1327) and then established himself as the kingdom's de facto ruler. Though he had initially been loyal to the king, Mortimer eventually became disillusioned with Edward's reign and rebelled. He was captured and imprisoned in the Tower of London, but he made a daring escape and fled to Paris. There, he conspired with Queen Isabella of France – Edward II's wife and Mortimer's lover – to invade England, which they successfully did in late 1326. After forcing Edward II's abdication, Mortimer and Isabella briefly ruled as joint regents. However, Mortimer's corruption and unpopularity soon led to his downfall. The new King Edward III of England staged a coup, and Mortimer was arrested and executed in 1330.
More about: Roger MortimerDefinition
Timeline
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Aug 1324Roger Mortimer, rival to Edward II of England, escapes from the Tower of London using a rope ladder.
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Sep 1326 - Oct 1326An army of mercenaries is sent by Isabella, wife of Edward II of England, to depose the king and lands at Orwell in Suffolk.
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24 Jan 1327Edward II of England is obliged to abdicate by his wife Isabella of France and her lover Roger Mortimer.
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1 Feb 1327Edward III of England is crowned in Westminster Abbey.
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21 Sep 1327Edward II of England is murdered at Berkeley Castle.
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29 Nov 1330Edward III of England executes his former regent Roger Mortimer.
