Henry of Gloucester

Henry of Gloucester, born 1376.  Henry is the son of Jerome, a wool merchant from Brimpsfield.  The production of wool was highly profitable during this period and by 1380 its sale could reach prices six times that of corn and timber combined.  A lucrative business brought with it privileges, and Henry was able to grow up under the favour of the residents of Brimpsfield manor.  This acquaintance provided Henry with a military education and his understanding of combat took him into the service of Sir Roger Mortimer, the 4th Earl of March and holder of the lands surrounding Brimpsfield.  Henry was called to serve Sir Roger Mortimer during his campaigns in Ireland and was present when Sir Roger died at the Battle of Kellistown in 1398.  With a strong reputation among the Mortimers, Henry continued to follow and fight under the Mortimer banner.  This brought Henry to Wales under the command of Sir Edmund Mortimer, uncle to the seven-year-old 5th Earl of March also called Edmund Mortimer.  Henry fought with Sir Edmund in Wales during the Welsh rebellion led by Owain Glyndwr.  This was a confusing time of alliances and counter alliances in which Sir Edmund Mortimer initially fought for King Henry IV against the Welsh but then switched allegiance to Owain Glyndwr in 1402.  This caused internal confliction for Henry, was he to support the Crown or become a rebel?  He was saved from choosing a side by the onset of a sudden illness permitting his return to Brimpsfield.  Due to the confliction he still felt, Henry did not re-join Sir Edmund in Wales upon his recovery.  Instead he found himself in the company of the Freeman of Gwent, a mercenary band of fighters led by Sir Gerard de Rhodes.  Henry’s allegiance to the King was now not in question, however a loyalty to the name Mortimer continued to burn strong within him.