1251-1256 PETER fil. ROGER,
(5)
(Merchant).
The first MAYOR of LEICESTER and one of the most affluent and important burgesses of the thirteenth century; born about 1204, entered the gild merchant in 1225 as Peter fil. Roger fil. Wluine, is described in a Close roll of 1242 as a merchant, and his name occurs in a Fine of 1248. He was joint alderman of the borough from 1245 to 1250, when as presiding officer of the gild and Portmanmoot court he continued as mayor alone for six successive years, 1251 to 1256 inclusive, the term alderman having by that time become discarded for that of mayor, under the growing influence of the Norman~ French language (see Introduction). It will be observed from this statement that Peter fil. Roger was actually in office for twelve successive years. Like some of his colleagues he was a favourite of the great earl Simon de Montfort. He was one of the earl's tenants, holding lands in Glenfield, co. Leic., by knight's service. From the Close rolls we learn that he also held large areas of land there and at Syston, co. Leic., of the Fee of Winton. He appears to have been a wool merchant in a large way of business. As Sir Peter Fitz Roger, Kt., his name occurs as a witness to an undated Hastings deed and it is also met with at this early period in the Groby manor rolls. According to the Feudal aids he was living as late as 1285. He had a son John, who inherited an estate at Glenfield, and a daughter Alice, who married William le Waleys of Wanlip.
The male descendants of Peter fil. Roger, otherwise Fitz Roger, assumed the surname of Glenfield. The family arms which descended from their knightly ancestor, recorded by Burton in 1622, were :- Ermine, three mascles in fesse gules.
