2022-12-31-accounts

Appendix 1

Trustee’s Report on the year 2022

After the lifting of covid-related restrictions we were able to enjoy a normal year; indeed, the first one since 2019.

Some Specific Achievements and Developments in 2022

• Recognising a need, we established an online seminar group on Medieval Wales and the Marches enabling scholars to network and share their research. This initiative has been greeted enthusiastically with over 180 university and independent scholars joining the group.

• After an appeal to members, we were able to purchase at auction an account roll for the Honour of Wigmore dated 1387-8. The members of our Medieval Documents Group then transcribed and translated it, and started analysing what they’ve found.

• In recent years we’ve run a local history project with primary schools in the area, and this year were able to offer more sessions in schools. For the first time in 2022 we were invited to speak to a group of local sixth-formers studying medieval history. We were able to help them understand something of the history and significance of the Welsh Marches.

• For several years there has been no public access to the shell keep at the top of Wigmore castle. During 2022, we renewed our efforts to solve this problem, developing strong relationships with English Heritage. They are now committed to the reinstatement of suitable steps and have earmarked funds for the work.

• October saw the publication of a new enhanced edition of On the Trail of the Mortimers by Society secretary, Philip Hume, that includes Mortimer-related sites across the whole of the Welsh Marches – On the Trail of the Mortimers in the Welsh Marches.

• The Society has commissioned Chris Jones-Jenkins, the talented and experienced architectural artist, to produce a new reconstruction drawing of Wigmore castle. The Castles Studies Trust have agreed to provide match funding for this project.

• We were successful in securing a significant grant from the Marc Fitch Fund towards the publication costs for an anthology entitled The Mortimers of Wigmore 1066-1485: Dynasty of Destiny to be launched at our conference at the Tower of London on 1st August 2023.

• As an experiment, we launched a photographic competition, inviting members and non-members to submit images illustrating the history of the Welsh Marches.

• In July, we held a joint event at Usk castle in memory of John Grove, the founder of the Mortimer History Society and the Friends of Usk Castle, who died in December 2021.

As in previous years, the rest of this annual report is structured in line with the objects of the Society as set out in our constitution, in order to show how we meet our objectives.

1. Promoting the significance of the history of the medieval Mortimer family, and the Welsh Marcher lordships

In many ways, this objective is a catch-all that encompasses all the activities that we do. It is a thread, therefore, that runs through all the sections below as our programme of events, work with schools and universities, website, publications and all the other activities combine to promote the significance of the medieval Mortimers and the Welsh Marcher lordships.

2. Work with communities and schools to promote study of the Mortimers and the Welsh Marcher lordships and raise awareness of their significance in medieval history

Schools Medieval History Programme

For the first time since 2019, we were able to organise a full programme with primary schools in south Shropshire/north Herefordshire, indeed, the addition of a new member of the team enabled us to offer more sessions in the schools. Eleven classes from nine schools (316 children) enjoyed the living history day at Ludlow Castle.

Community Information stalls

The Society had its regular information stall at the Battle of Evesham Medieval Reenactment weekend at the start of August. This is now the second largest medieval festival in the country, and, over the two days, there was a constant flow of people wanting to talk about the Mortimers and the Welsh Marcher lordships. Unfortunately, the Ludlow Castle Medieval Christmas Fayre, usually held at the end of November, will not happen again after the losses incurred following the cancellation in 2021 when Storm Arwen caused so much damage to the marquees and stalls.

General Publicity

With normal in-person events resuming, the regular publicity for events maintains the profile of the Society. We remain in regular contact with all the major historical societies across Wales and the Marches, many of whom happily circulate the information about MHS events to their members, which has resulted in both increased attendance and new members.

2022 Welsh Marches Photographic Competition

To help publicise the Society, we organised a photographic competition, inviting people to submit photographs that interpreted the Welsh Marcher lordships. The competition was widely publicised, including to photography clubs in the Welsh Marches; however, the number of entries was disappointing and, although there were some good images, there not sufficient to go ahead with producing a calendar for 2024.

3. Work with colleges and universities to encourage and support local and national scholarly research into the contribution of the medieval Mortimer family to the history and culture of the British Isles, and also of the history, economy, society, and culture of the medieval Marches of Wales

The Mortimer History Society Essay Prize

The annual prize continues to be greatly appreciated by scholars and academic institutions for the way in which it encourages and supports new research on aspects of borderlands in the medieval period, particularly by younger scholars. In 2022, one essay was awarded a commendatory prize: “ Diagrams, poems, dragons, Puns”: the Mortimer visual project in the 14[th ] century written by Miguel C Fernandes, a PhD student at the University of Chicago. A second essay by MHS member, Deborah Gentry, was commended: “ Finding Cornwall in Shropshire: Imaginary landscapes in Rhonabwy’s Dream and Fouke Fitz Waryn ”. Both will be published in the next Journal.

- Leeds International Medieval Congress, 4 7th July 2022

Following our success in 2021, the Society again organised strands at the 2022 Leeds International Medieval Congress (IMC), the world’s premier academic conference for medieval studies, held annually at the University of Leeds, and awarded bursaries to early career researchers allowing them to attend to present their papers. Whilst the continuing restrictions had meant that the 2021 IMC had been held online only, this time it was a hybrid event enabling over 3000 speakers and delegates from around the world to come together. Under the umbrella theme of Borders, eight speakers contributed diverse but complimentary papers to a packed seminar room during two fascinating sessions in the MHS strand (organised by our President, Dr Paul Dryburgh) on Tuesday 5[th] July.

The first session was started by Dr Deborah Youngs of Swansea University, who considered whether the medieval March constituted a culturally syncratic border society, taking testamentary evidence from the Diocese of Hereford. Two papers on the place of Chester in the late Middle Ages followed. Pamela Powell, a doctoral student at the University of Nottingham, looked at the city’s role in the Welsh rebellions of the early 15[th] century; and, Professor Barry Lewis of University College Dublin revealed the holy cross, the Rood of Chester, in the church of John the Baptist as a centre of pilgrimage and crosscultural encounter, particularly a focus for contemporary Welsh poets. The final paper in the first session was presented by Dr Matthew Stevens of Swansea University who contributed a fascinating paper on why Owain Glyn Dwr burned the towns of Wales during his rebellion at the start of the 15[th] century.

The second session brought together four speakers who examined lordship and identity in the medieval marcher lordships. Dr Alastair Ayton of the University of St Andrews explored the ‘troublesome trends’ of rebellion in the 13[th] century. In her contribution, Dr Sadie Jarrett (Bangor University) investigated identity in the later marcher lords of north Wales in the century after the Glyn Dwr rebellion. Dr Adam Chapman of the Institute for Historical Research chronicled the political history of the lordship of Denbigh. In the final paper, Amy Reynolds, a doctoral student at Bangor University, weighed up evidence for a widely perceived decline in monasticism, focussing on the Cistercian Order in mid-Wales in the 15[th] century.

New Book launches

During the course of the year, we organised the online launches of two books: Princely Ambition: Ideology, castle-building and landscape in Gwynedd, 1194–1283 by Dr Craig

Owen Jones (in conjunction with University of Leicester Press); and, The Growth of Law in Medieval Wales, c.1100–1500 by Dr Sara Elin Roberts (in conjunction with Boydell & Brewer). Both launches were well attended and stimulated plenty of discussion (and sales!).

Online Seminar Group: Medieval Wales and the Marches

Organising and sponsoring strands at the Leeds IMC has made us even more aware of the exciting, innovative research that is being done to bring the lives of the people and communities on the medieval March into greater focus. This research is happening both inside academia and outside by independent scholars. Whilst events such as Leeds IMC provide a great opportunity for academics and scholars to come together once a year, we became aware that the MHS is ideally placed to enable ongoing networking and exchange of ideas. Therefore, during the second half of 2022, we worked with colleagues from Bristol, Swansea, and Chester universities to create a new ‘ Online Seminar Group: Medieval Wales and the Marches ’ to provide a forum for academics and scholars to share new research papers, stimulate discussion, and obtain feedback. The amazing response that we have received, with over 180 academics and independent scholar joining the group plus many offers to give papers in 2023, has confirmed the need. We have received many expressions of support and thanks for taking this initiative. The seminar group’s programme started in the Spring term 2023.

‘ - A New Publication: The Mortimers of Wigmore in the Middle Ages, 1066 1485: Dynasty of Destiny’

Last year, we reported that we had commissioned 13 scholars to each write an essay on an aspect of Mortimer history to be included in an anthology, edited by Dr Paul Dryburgh and Philip Hume, that will be published and launched at our conference at the Tower of London on 1[st] August 2023. This year, we are delighted to report that everything is on schedule. The essays have been received and edited, and images sourced. There is fascinating new content in the essays and some fantastic illustrations. The publisher, Logaston Press, has started work on the layout and design, so everything is on track for publication in the summer. Indeed, progress has been so good that we have organised an extra launch at the Leeds IMC to follow the sessions sponsored by the MHS. Together with Logaston Press we made a successful application to the Marc Fitch Fund for a substantial grant towards the publication costs which will help to keep the book affordable.

4. Increase knowledge about the Mortimer family and all aspects of the Welsh Marcher lordships through lectures, conferences, study trips and publications.

The Annual Programme of Conferences, Lectures and Study Visits

After two years during which it was very difficult to organise ‘in-person’ events, it has been wonderful to resume a normal programme with members and non-members able to meet together to hear a range of fascinating talks (though, whenever possible, the events are now hybrid enabling online participation by those unable to attend in person).

The continuing restrictions during the winter of 2021–22 meant that our first event of the year in February was an online conference that explored the theme of Passion and Power

in the Marches . By March, normality had returned, and we were able to hold our AGM in Weobley, with a talk on medieval Weobley and a tour of the medieval buildings.

First organised for 2020, and twice postponed, we were finally able to go ahead with our Spring Conference in May in Knighton organised jointly with the Radnorshire Society, when a series of talks explored ‘Murder, Mayhem and Marriage’: the Mortimers and the Welsh Princes’ . This was followed by our annual summer lecture in June, which has been renamed the John Grove Memorial Lecture following the death of our founder, when Professor Daniel Power spoke on ‘ The rupture of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy after the fall of ducal Normandy (1204)’ .

At the start of July, we partnered with Usk Castle Friends for a splendid day at Usk Castle in memory of John Grove, who had been involved in starting both societies. Three talks in the morning were followed by a lovely lunch and time to explore the castle.

At the end of July, we tried a study trip with a difference this year, combining a site visit with talks. Titled ‘ How to build a castle: A special one-day conference exploring the construction and development of Ludlow castle’ , the day started with talks on the practicalities of building a castle and the early development of Ludlow, followed by a visit to the castle to look at the theory in practice. The afternoon followed a similar format looking at later developments.

The autumn symposium in October focussed on Castles in Wales and the Marches , whilst the half-day conference at the end of November explored aspects of a ‘ Medieval Christmas ’.

Mortimer Matters

Mortimer Matters went from strength to strength with four excellent editions during the course of the year. With reports on past and future society events and activities, in-depth articles on the Mortimers and the Marcher lordships, and book reviews, it continues to be valued and appreciated by members.

MHS Website

Many of our new members first come across the Society when surfing the internet, so our website is crucial to our marketing effort. We are, therefore, diligent about keeping it up-todate. It is also the main portal for event ticket sales. Additionally, all the main articles from the MHS Journal and from Mortimer Matters are indexed on the website, as are links to all our recorded talks, thus providing an easily-accessible and ever-increasing archive for the Society.

Publications

Our partnership with Logaston Press continued in 2022. When On the Trail of the Mortimers was approaching being sold out for a third time, a decision was taken to produce an enhanced version for the fourth print, expanding the coverage to the whole of the Welsh Marches. On the Trail of the Mortimers in the Welsh Marches was published in October 2022. Work has also started on the design and layout of The Welsh Marcher Lordships II: the South-West, with publication expected in spring 2023. The third-volume in the series is now expected in 2024.

Talks to other societies

Every year we are invited to give talks to other societies about the Marcher lordships and/or the Mortimers, with talks given to about 20 societies in 2022, generating new interest in the Mortimers and the Marcher lordships and attracting new members.

5. Studying the archaeology, structural fabric, heraldry, artefacts and documents related to the Mortimer family, and similar medieval Marcher families.

Medieval Documents Research Group

In October last year, due to the generosity of members, the Society was able to purchase an old, rare, and local medieval account roll for the year 1387–88 for Wigmore Honor in North Herefordshire. The group has been able to transcribe and then translate it, with expert help from Paul Dryburgh and Helen Watt who led the group. Like many things, the roll answered some questions but threw up a whole lot more. Therefore, some of the members intend to go to Herefordshire Archive and Record Centre (HARC) as soon as possible to try to answer at least some of them.

Aside from that highlight, the group has continued its regular online sessions developing skills in transcribing and translation medieval documents. Many of the documents members study are written in Latin and mostly relate in some way to the Mortimer family. For the first time towards the end 2021, members tackled a Norman-French document. This year, members have read more in that language, as well as looking at two written in Welsh – the first, taken from the Red Book of Hergest version of the Brut y Tywysogyon, was the account of the seizure from Roger Mortimer (d.1282) of Cefnllys castle by local Welsh people in 1262; the second document being an extract from a Welsh law text.

Since the first exploratory meeting at Ludlow in 2018, people have gained their knowledge of Latin, the abbreviation conventions the scribes used and the ability to read the writing immeasurably through the careful and well explained learning situation that Paul & Helen have created. We are a friendly group, welcoming new members irrespective of ability. People learn at their own pace and there is certainly no pressure or competition involved in the learning process. If you are interested, or would like further details, please make initial contact via the MHS website via the Medieval Documents Group.

Wigmore Castle

As the most iconic location associated with the Mortimers, Wigmore castle is always at the top of our members’ lists to visit. Following the pandemic, the number of our overseas members visiting the Marches remains quite low and this is just as well, as access to the shell keep, at the very top of the site, remains impossible. In 2022 we redoubled our efforts to overcome this problem, strengthening our links with English Heritage and applying what pressure we could. Things are now looking much more promising: money has been budgeted to replace the steps to the top and we have attended site meetings with English Heritage to discuss possible solutions.

Plans for 2023

The highlights of our plans for this year are:

The Annual Programme of Conferences, Lectures and Study Visits

We have already held a successful half-day online conference at the end of January on Education and Learning in Medieval Wales and the Marches (due to the great likelihood of bad weather in January and February, we have decided that this event is best held online only). This year we experimented with arranging a series of evening talks after the halfday to provide the opportunity to explore more aspects of the topic. The great response to this is a strong indication that we should do something similar in 2024.

Today, our AGM in Orleton is being followed by two talks – one on the medieval chests in St George’s and one on the Mortimers and Orleton. Our Spring Conference in May will explore ‘Marriage, Sex and Dynasty building’, whilst the John Grove Memorial Lecture will be given by Dr David Stephenson in the splendid setting of Powis Castle.

The highlight of the year will be the event at the Tower of London on 1[st] August to mark the day of the 700[th] anniversary of the escape by Roger Mortimer (d.1330) in 1323, and to celebrate the publication of our new anthology on the Mortimers.

The Autumn Symposium in October will provide Society members an opportunity to give talks based on their research, whilst the half-day conference in November will look at aspects of writing historical fiction.

Other events and activity

We will again be sponsoring two sessions at the Leeds International Medieval Congress, 3–7th July 2023; the 2022 MHS Essay Prize will be judged in March, to be followed by the launch of the 2023 Prize. The next MHS Journal will be published in the spring. The Online Seminar Group: Medieval Wales and the Marches has started with a programme of six seminars in the spring term, with more to follow in the summer and autumn terms. The programme of work with primary schools is being finalised.

Publications

As already mentioned, Vol 2 in our series on the Welsh Marcher Lordships, which will cover the south-west, will be published in the spring, and our new anthology in July.

Research Bursaries

An exciting new initiative that will be launched at the AGM is a scheme to provide bursaries to support doctoral students, and students on research-led MA courses, with the costs of research. Students researching aspects of the medieval Welsh Marches and/or the Mortimers will be eligible to apply for one-off bursaries. Whilst in the long-term it may be possible to build up an endowment fund, it would take a very long time as well as tying up considerable amounts of money. The plan, therefore, is to appeal to members each year to donate an amount to the bursary fund. The number of bursaries offered that year would be dependent on the amount raised. Initial soundings have indicated that a number of members would welcome the opportunity to support new research in this way.

A new reconstruction drawing of Wigmore castle

Towards the end of 2022, we made an application to the Castle Studies Trust for matched funding to commission a new reconstruction drawing of Wigmore Castle. Early in 2023, we received the great news that the application had been approved, enabling us to commission MHS member Chris Jones-Jenkins, who is one the foremost castle reconstruction artists in Wales and England, to start work on the project. As well as developing understanding of what Wigmore might have looked like as a magnificent castle in the early 14[th] century, the reconstruction drawing will help to raise awareness of the castle and the Mortimers.

Medieval Documents Research Group

During the weekend of 25/26 February, many of the group met in Leominster for a workshop led by Paul & Helen. Among the documents studied was one when Roger Mortimer of Chirk was held as a prisoner in the Tower, along with other associates. Another was the will of a 15[th] century vicar of Leominster, this being written in English. The learning event was most enjoyable; so much so that people want to have a similar weekend later in the year, if it can be arranged. The weekend was the first chance to meet personally since before Covid Regulations came into force in 2020. Throughout that period and subsequently, learning has been carried on via Zoom on a regular basis. However, intensive learning that the weekend provides is an excellent chance to improve skills immensely. Additionally, it is a welcome chance to meet with friends but also to greet new members personally.

Trustees of the Mortimer History Society, March 2023

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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner s Report Report to the trusteesl members of On accounts for the year ended 31112)202 Charity no rrf any) 1171391 Set out on paws I reFK)rt to the tru&ees ￿ my examinHbrm of the accounts of the alxjve charity fthe TTusf) kn the year 3 i i 1 24 LZ. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees. you are restK)nsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordan￿ v￿th the Charities Act 2011 {"the Acf). I report in respect of my examinalion of the Trust's accounts carrled out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Dir8ctions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(bl of the Ad. Independent examine￿5 statement appl￿￿￿]. Delete [ ] ifnot applicable. I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention { ") in connection with the examination vthich grves me cause to believe thal in. any material respect.: the accounting re￿rdS were not kept in accordance wilh section 130 of the Act" or the accounts dKI not accord Viith the accounting ￿COrdS,. or the 8cu)unts did not cornpty with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (AGoJunts and Rep￿) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf wew which is not a matter considered a5 part of an independent examination. I have no 0)n￿rns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to attention should be drawn in thi5 report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached, Please delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed: Date: a?loil Name: Relevant professional qualification{sl or body (if any): IER October 2018

Address: -o& ktfr Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs lo highlight Matte￿ of concem (see CC32. Independent examination of GharÉty accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here details of any Items that the examiner wishes to dlsclosè. IER October 2018