Roger Clarendon


Sir Roger Clarendon, was a royal bastard and conspirator, who was executed for treason.

Biography

Clarendon was a natural son of Edward the Black Prince, and his mistress, Edith Willesford. He was a paternal half-brother to Richard II of England. Being regarded as a possible pretender, Clarendon was hanged and beheaded by order of Henry IV of England in 1402. His execution was made the subject of one of the articles exhibited by Archbishop Scrope of York against Henry IV during his rebellion in 1405. He is said to be the ancestor of the Smith Baronets of Essex