The Talbots had been part of the Herefordshire gentry since the time of Henry II,[1] and also had blood ties to the Welsh elite through a daughter of Rhys Mechyll, whose arms they had assumed.

Talbot joined Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, in rebellion against King Edward II, and was among the prisoners taken at the Battle of Boroughbridge.

[4] Talbot was counted among the "Disinherited" who flocked to the banner of Edward Balliol in his attempt to claim the throne of Scotland.

[6] Balliol put Talbot in possession of Kildrummy Castle and named him Earl of Mar in recognition of his support, around the beginning of 1334, and he was recorded as "Richard, lord of Mar" when he witnessed Balliol's charter granting the English extensive territorial concessions in Scotland.

[7] Talbot was captured by William Keith of Galston in 1334 while attempting to pass into England from the north, and ransomed the following year.