Edmund Mortimer, 2nd Baron Mortimer of Wigmore

Edmund Mortimer, 2nd Baron Mortimer of Wigmore (c. 1251 – 17 July 1304) was the second son and eventual heir of Roger Mortimer, 1st Baron Mortimer of Wigmore. His mother was Maud de Braose.

Life
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. By 1268 he is recorded as studying theology in the house of the Archbishop of York. King Henry III of England showed favour by supplementing his diet with the luxury of venison. The sudden death of his elder brother, Ralph, in 1274, made him heir to the family estates; yet he continued to study at Oxford. But his father's death eventually forced his departure.

Edmund returned to the March in 1282 as the new Baron Mortimer of Wigmore and immediately became involved in Welsh Marches politics. Together with his brother Roger Mortimer, 1st Baron Mortimer of Chirk, John Giffard, and Roger Lestrange, he devised a plan to trap his kinsman Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. Edmund sent a message to Llywelyn, telling him he was coming to his aid and arranged to meet with him at Builth. At Orewin Bridge the Welsh prince became separated from his army. Edmund's brothers secretly forded the river behind Llywelyn's army and surprised the Welsh. In the resulting Battle of Orewin Bridge Llywelyn was killed and beheaded. Edmund then sent his brother Roger to present Llywelyn's severed head to King Edward I of England at Rhuddlan Castle. The head was displayed on the Tower of London as a warning to all rebels.

In return for his services Edmund was knighted by King Edward I at Winchester in 1283. He served in the king's Scottish campaigns, and returned to fight in Wales. He was mortally wounded in a skirmish near Builth and died at Wigmore Castle on 17 July 1304.

Marriage and issue
He married in September 1285 Margaret de Fiennes, daughter of William II de Fiennes, Baron of Tingry, and Blanche de Brienne (herself the granddaughter of John of Brienne by his third wife Berenguela of Leon), the family entering the blood royal. Their surviving children were:


 * Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March (25 April 1287 – 29 November 1330) married Joan de Geneville, by whom he had twelve children.
 * Maud de Mortimer (also found noted as Maud), married Sir Theobald II de Verdun at Wigmore on 29 July 1302 (old calendar), by whom she had four daughters, Joan de Verdun, who married John de Montagu (d. August 1317), eldest son and heir apparent of William Montagu, 2nd Baron Montagu; Elizabeth de Verdun, who married Bartholomew de Burghersh, 1st Baron Burghersh; Margaret de Verdun, who married (1st) Sir William le Blount of Sodington, Worcestershire, (2nd) Sir Mark Husee, and (3rd) Sir John de Crophill; and (allegedly) Katherine de Verdun.
 * John de Mortimer, accidentally slain in a joust by John de Leyburne.
 * Walter de Mortimer, a priest, Rector of Kingston.
 * Edmund de Mortimer, a priest, Rector of Hodnet, Shropshire and Treasurer of the cathedral at York.
 * Hugh de Mortimer, a priest, Rector of church at Old Radnor.

They also had two daughters who became nuns; Elizabeth and Joan.