William le Zouche de Mortimer

     William le was born circa 1276 in England. His elder brother obtained full age in 1295. He fought in the battle of Falkirk in 1298. In 1304, his Kinsman, Alan la Zouche, knight, Lord Zouche, settled reversion of the manors of Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, Swavesey & Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire & Treve and Nutbourn, Sussex on him, and on whose death in 1314, William entered into these estates and obtained the title Lord Zouche of Ashby.¹ William was active in military activities as well as on the political front. He was summoned to serve against the Scots in the years between 1315 and 1335. He was also summoned in Gascony in 1324-25 and in Ireland in 1332. He was also summoned to Parliment from 26 December 1323 to 14 January 1337 in various writs naming him with a variety of titles and holdings.² William married by license Alice de Tony on 26 October 1316. William's wife, Alice, died before 8 January 1325, leaving him a widow. William abducted Eleanor from Hanley Castle in January of 1329. They were arrested by Roger de Mortimer in the name of the King in February of the same year.² William abducted Eleanor from Hanley Castle in January of 1329. They were arrested by Roger de Mortimer in the name of the King in February of the same year.² William married 2nd Eleanor de Clare on 26 January 1329 in England. She was the widow of Hugh de la Spencer, who was hanged 24 November 1326. Eleanor was imprisoned in the Tower of London. She was held prisoner until in December of 1329, she was compelled by the king to surrender the Lordships of Glamorgan & Morgannwg and the manors of Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire and Hanley, Worchestershire until they should have paid an impossible fine of 50,000 pounds. They received a pardon on 22 February 1330. In January 1331, she did recover her lands for a reduced fine of 5,000 pounds which was never paid in full during her lifetime.² William departed this life on Thursday, 28 February 1337 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, England.