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A review by librarianonparade
The Greatest Traitor: The Life of Sir Roger Mortimer, Ruler of England 1327-1330 by Ian Mortimer
5.0
Roger Mortimer has always been one of the more shadowy figures of medieval history, obscured by centuries of historical assumption and oversight and by his own determination to remain the power behind the throne, the figure in the shadows pulling the strings. And that's a shame, because in this excellent biography from Ian Mortimer, he comes across as a truly fascinating figure and quite a sympathetic one too - ironic for a man who quite probably earns the title of 'greatest traitor', who deposed a king, had a passionate affair with the queen, usurped the power of the Crown and ruled through the young Edward III as the true power in the land.
Roger Mortimer's greatest tragedy seems to be that he was not royal - if he'd had even the faintest shadow of a claim to the throne, one suspects he would have proved to be a very good king. He was honest and honourable, utterly loyal to the Crown until pushed too far by Edward II, a skilled tactician and warrior, a good administrator. He made an excellent servant to the Crown until he and many of the other nobles could no longer tolerate Edward II's tyranny, favouritism and mismanagement, and then he made a very very bad enemy.
And from that point on Mortimer's fate was set. The deposition of Edward II was popular, supported by nobles, commons and clergy, and Mortimer's actions to that point could be seen as entirely justified. But once Edward III was in place, Mortimer's actions increasingly became self-defensive, more about preserving his and Queen Isabella's position ruling in the young king's name, than about what was best for the country. And Edward III was only going to grow into his role and chafe against the rule of his mother and her lover.
Ian Mortimer (no relation, I'm sure!) is in my opinion one of the best writers of popular history out there. I have enjoyed every one of his books, and this is as well-written, interesting and engaging as the rest. I was particularly fascinated by his theory on the survival of Edward II, which he presents quite convincingly. Won me over, at any rate. If only all popular history was as enjoyable as this!
Roger Mortimer's greatest tragedy seems to be that he was not royal - if he'd had even the faintest shadow of a claim to the throne, one suspects he would have proved to be a very good king. He was honest and honourable, utterly loyal to the Crown until pushed too far by Edward II, a skilled tactician and warrior, a good administrator. He made an excellent servant to the Crown until he and many of the other nobles could no longer tolerate Edward II's tyranny, favouritism and mismanagement, and then he made a very very bad enemy.
And from that point on Mortimer's fate was set. The deposition of Edward II was popular, supported by nobles, commons and clergy, and Mortimer's actions to that point could be seen as entirely justified. But once Edward III was in place, Mortimer's actions increasingly became self-defensive, more about preserving his and Queen Isabella's position ruling in the young king's name, than about what was best for the country. And Edward III was only going to grow into his role and chafe against the rule of his mother and her lover.
Ian Mortimer (no relation, I'm sure!) is in my opinion one of the best writers of popular history out there. I have enjoyed every one of his books, and this is as well-written, interesting and engaging as the rest. I was particularly fascinated by his theory on the survival of Edward II, which he presents quite convincingly. Won me over, at any rate. If only all popular history was as enjoyable as this!