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Born 1312 = Philippa of Hainault. | +-------------------+---------+-----------+-----------+---------+ | | | | | | Edward, = Joan of | Lionel, John of Edmund, Thomas of the Black | Kent. | Duke of Gaunt, Duke of Woodstock, Prince, | | Clarence, Duke of York, Duke of d. 1376. | William, d. 1368. Lancaster, d. 1402. Gloucester, | d. 1335. d. 1399 d. 1397. Richard II. CONTEMPORARY PRINCES. _Scotland._ | _France._ | _Germany._ | _Spain (Castile)._ | | | Robert I., 1306. | Charles IV., 1322. | Louis IV., | Alphonso XI., 1312. David II., 1329. | Philip VI., 1328. | 1314. | Pedro, 1350. Robert II., 1370. | John, 1350. | Charles IV., | Henry II., 1368. | Charles V., 1364. | 1347. | POPES.--John XXII., 1316. Benedict XI., 1334. Clement VI., 1342. Innocent VI. 1352. Urban V., 1362. Gregory XI., 1370. _Archbishops._ Simon Mepeham, 1328. John of Stratford, 1333. Thomas Bradwardine, 1349. Simon Islip, 1349. Simon Langham, 1366. William Whittlesey, 1368. Simon Sudbury, 1375. _Chancellors._ Henry of Burghersh, 1327. Robert of Sadyngton, 1343. John of Stratford, 1330. John of Offord, 1345. Richard of Bury, 1334. John of Thoresby, 1348. John of Stratford, 1335. William of Edington, 1356. Robert of Stratford, 1337. Simon Langham, 1363. Richard Bynteworth, 1338. William of Wykeham, 1367. John of Stratford, 1340. Sir Robert Thorpe, 1371. Robert of Stratford, 1340. Sir John Knyvet, 1372. Sir Robert Bourchier, 1340. Adam Houghton, 1377. Sir Robert Parnynge, 1341.

Measures of reform.
Mortimer’s misgovernment.

As the conquest of England by Queen Isabella and Mortimer had been ostensibly undertaken for purposes of reform in the government, and freedom from the influence of favourites, the first measures taken were such as might befit a reforming party. The charters of liberty were solemnly renewed, and the removal of the more obvious abuses promised, the judgment against Lancaster and his friends was reversed, and the government nominally placed in the hands of a council of regency, formed of four Bishops, four Earls, and six Barons. Nevertheless, the real power remained in the hands of Mortimer; to him and to the Queen a considerable portion of the royal revenues were diverted, and before long all trace of reform had disappeared, and Mortimer, forgetful of the pretext which had secured him his position, and of the fate of his predecessors, became to all intents and purposes himself a favourite, giving to that word the meaning which best describes it, an irresponsible and all-powerful minister. He even surrounded himself, we are told, with a guard of 180 knights, and altogether adopted an ostentatious bearing which could not but create enemies; at the same time his connection with the Queen excited the displeasure of all respectable men.

Fruitless campaign against Scotland.

Peace.

His early government was rudely interrupted by an invasion from Scotland. The truce was not yet expired, but the opportunity was too good to be lost. To the English the renewal of war was distasteful, and measures were taken to avoid it. A meeting was arranged with the Scotch King, but the conclusion was so evidently foregone, that Robert summoned his army to assemble on the very day appointed for the meeting, and while the negotiations were still going on, the Scotch crossed the borders in force. The campaign against them was not successful. More used than the English to rapid movements, capable of living upon much less, and able to supply themselves with that little from an enemy’s country, the Scotch constantly avoided a great battle. Twice was Edward deceived by a simple stratagem of the Scotch, who left the watchfires burning, while they secretly decamped, and he was finally obliged to close the campaign without a battle. It became necessary for Mortimer and Edward to treat, and the Queen offered her daughter Jane as the price of peace. In March 1328, that peace was concluded; Robert’s son, David, was to marry Jane; the English were to use their best endeavours to have the ecclesiastical censures which hung over Bruce removed, and on the payment of £20,000, promised to give up all claims upon the Scotch crown, and to acknowledge Bruce as king.

Though the English nobles had long disliked the Scotch war, and had at all events made use of their pretended dislike as a weapon of opposition to the government, they now, with true party spirit, and moved probably more by dislike to Mortimer than by any patriotic feeling, declared themselves horrified at the disgraceful treaty, and held aloof from the Parliament which ratified it. Dislike to the government was in truth growing to a head. Associations were formed to uphold the ordinances of the last reign. At length, at a Parliament called at Salisbury, to be present at the creation of new peers—when Mortimer was made Earl of March; Prince John, Earl of Cornwall; and James Butler, Earl of Ormond—Prince Henry of Lancaster, the brother and successor of Earl Thomas, and other malcontents, refused to appear. Shortly afterwards it was heard that they were in arms at Winchester. The King’s uncles, the Earls of Kent and Norfolk, had hitherto supported Lancaster, but as Mortimer drew near with his army, they suddenly deserted him. This caused the failure of the insurrection, and Lancaster and his friends were obliged to submit to hard terms, purchasing their freedom with half their incomes, and the pledge that they would no longer oppose the government.

Conspiracy and death of Kent. 1330.