Biography of Thomas Mortimer 1350-1399

On 19th December 1387 an army of the Lords Appellant led by the future King Henry IV of England (age 20) prevented the forces of King Richard II of England (age 20) commanded by Robert de Vere 1st Duke Ireland (age 25) from crossing the bridge [Map] over the River Thames at Radcot in Oxfordshire. When Thomas of Woodstock 1st Duke of Gloucester (age 32) arrived with further Lord Appellant's men the King's men were encircled. The King's men attempted to force the crossing of the bridge at which time the only casualties occurred including Thomas Molyneux (age 49) who was killed by Thomas Mortimer (age 37). Around 800 men drowned in the marshes whilst trying to escape. Robert de Vere 1st Duke Ireland narrowly escaped to France.

Thomas Walsingham [-1422]. 19th December 1387. At that time, there was a certain Thomas Molyneux (age 49), who prepared himself for battle, as not all the lords had yet gathered at that place, but only one—Henry, the Earl of Derby, son of the Duke of Lancaster. After fighting for some time, Henry, exhausted and despairing, entered the nearby river. Among the many present, Thomas de Mortimer (age 37), a knight, urged him either to come ashore or be pierced with arrows in the river without a doubt. "If I come ashore," said Thomas, "will you spare my life?" "I make no such promise," replied the knight, "but either come ashore or you will soon perish." To this, Thomas responded, "If that is the case, allow me to come ashore and fight you or any one of you, so that I may die as a man." As he began to ascend, the knight grabbed him by the helmet and pulled it off his head. Immediately, drawing a dagger, the knight pierced Thomas's brain, killing him.

Erat ibi tune dictus Thomas Mulinewes, qui se praparavit ad pugnam, quia nondum Domini cuncti convenerant ad illum locum, sed unus tantum, filius Ducis Lancastriæ, Henricus, Comes Derbeyæ; qui, cum aliquandin pugnasset, fessus et desperans flumen, quod prope erat, ingressus est. Inter multos vero, Thomas de Mortuo Mari, miles, hortabatur ut ascenderet, vel sine dubio eum in flumine sagittis perforaret. "Si," inquit Thomas, "ascendam, visne servare vitam meam?" "Non hoc promitto," ait miles, "sed vel ascendas vel occumbes mox." Cui ille,—"Si sic," inquit, "necesse est, sinas ut ascendam et tecum, vel quocunque vestrum, pugnem, ut moriar sicut homo." In ascendendo autem cepit eum miles per cassidem, et de capite suo traxit, et mox, extracto cultello daggardo, ejus cerebrum perforavit.

In 1397 Thomas Mortimer (age 47) was charged with treason for having killed Thomas Molyneux at the Battle of Radcot Bridge. Ordered to surrender himself with three months he decided to flee to Scotland.