After the inconclusive proceedings at the realm-council of Merton (1236), when spiritual and temporal lords took opposite views, the king's judges went a step further and thenceforward submitted this particular question to a jury.
He joined the Franciscan order in early life, and studied at Merton College, Oxford, of which he is said to have been a fellow.
Roger completed his studies at Oxford, though not, as current traditions assert, at Merton or at Brasenose, neither of which had then been founded.
At the age of ten he was put to school with the canons of Merton priory in Surrey.
From 1864 to 1866 he was fellow and tutor of Merton College.
