Ralph de Mortemer , in 1066 having accompanied Duke William of Normandy in his conquest of England. Founder of the "Priory of Wigmore" (1100). He was succ. by his son Hugh (+ 1148/50). Eyton says, "There is evidence that Roger had two sons in addition to Ralph, namely, Hugh and William." Nevertheless, Ralph was certainly Roger's heir, and if the son of Hawisa, the only known wife of Roger, he must have been young at the time he attended the Conquest", i.e. the Conquest of England by Duke William of Normandy in 1066. "Accompanying the Duke of Normandy in his expedition against England, Ralph was one of his principal commanders at the decisive Battle of Hastings; and shortly after, as the most puissant of the victor's captains, was sent into the marches of Wales to encounter Edric, Earl of Shrewsbury, who still resisted the Norman yoke. This nobleman, after much difficulty, and a long siege in his castle of Wigmore, Mortimer subdued. Ralph possessed at the compilation of Domesday 123 manors, in addition to the castle of Wigmore, in Herefordshire, which was the chief seat of his barony. In 1088 Ralph was opposed to William Rufus in favor of Robert "Curthose" (Courteheuse), but two years later, being pardoned, he accompanied Robert, Count of Eu, and Walter Giffard to Normandy, where they arrayed themselves against Duke Robert. In 1100 he founded the Priory of Wigmore, at which time it was stated that Roger de Mortemer, descended from his family. Ralph, by his wife Millicende, had issue, Hugh, who succeeded him, William - to whom his brother gave Chelmarsh and who was ancestor of the Mortimers of Attleborough - Hawise, who married Stephen, Comte of Aumale, and Robert, ancestor of the Mortimers of Richard's Castle, though some commentators believe him to have been a son or brother of the 1st Hugh de Mortimer. Cockayne mentions however only Hugh who died ca.1048/50, one child for Ralph, here recognised as his father's heir. Certainly from Ralph's family descend the Lords of Wigmore, Earls of March, & Lords Mortimer of Richard's Castle, etc. (Reference: Crispin & Macary, "Falaise Rolls"). [By Homer B. James from material excerpted from "Homer Beers James Genealogy, Vol 2."]
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