PLATE II.
EXECUTION OF SIR HUGH SPENCER.
Froissart relates that so many powerful Barons joined the party of Queen Isabella and her son, that they determined to besiege the city of Bristol, where the King and the Spencers then were. The King and the younger Spencer retired to the Castle, whilst the elder Spencer, then ninety years of age, and the Earl of Arundel, who had married his grand-daughter, remained in the town; which being surrendered by the citizens, they were taken prisoners and executed in front of the Castle, in sight of the King and the younger Spencer. The weak King and his favourite, seeing no other chance of escape, embarked secretly in a small boat at the back of the Castle, thinking to gain the coast of Wales, but being driven back by stress of weather, they were perceived and captured. The King was sent under strong guard to Berkely Castle, by the advice of the Barons, where he remained a prisoner till his death; thus closing one of the most inglorious reigns of the English annals. Sir Hugh Spencer was led to Hereford, where the feast of All Saints was celebrated with great magnificence, in honour of the noble foreigners, who had so mainly contributed to the successful termination of the cause of the Queen and Prince Edward. Chapter XIII., at the head of which is the Illumination represented in Plate II., commences “Quant la feste fut passée le Messᵉ Huon, qui point nestoit aimé la,” &c. &c.—“when the feast was over, Sir Huon, who was not beloved in those parts, was brought before the Queen and the assembled Barons and Knights.” He was condemned to death, and executed with horrible mutilation, being affixed to a high ladder in the market-place, in order that the disgusting ceremony might be visible to all the assembled populace[2].
The Illumination is executed with exquisite care and neatness, and the whole page surrounded with an elaborately wrought border of great beauty. Our plate only takes in a portion of one column and the adjoining angle of the border.
Coronation of Edward III. on Christmas day 1326.