Intrigues of
Isabella
in France.

Quickly she gathered round her all whom the king had cause to fear. Roger Mortimer, whether by reason of passion or of policy, gained complete ascendency over her. The young Edward was instructed that it was his duty to deliver his father out of the hands of the Despensers or to deliver England out of the hand of Edward. Edmund of Kent, the king’s brother, was persuaded to join, and the conspirators, if not actually supported by promises from England, were too willing to believe that to be victorious they had only to show themselves. As the French king was slow to commit himself, Isabella contracted an alliance with the Count of Hainault, and obtained money from the Italian bankers. They furnished supplies, the count furnished men and ships.

Helplessness
of the king.

Landing of Isabella
on the
coast of Suffolk.

Edward knew all this, but he knew not how to meet it. In vain he summoned parliaments that would do nothing when they met, and ordered musters that would not meet at all. He found that all whom he trusted deceived him; that, except the Despensers and the two detested ministers, none even pretended to support him; and that he was obliged to depend on the very men who had the most to avenge. At last Isabella landed, on September, 24, 1326, on the coast of Suffolk, proclaiming herself the avenger of the blood of Lancaster and the sworn foe of the favorites. Edward, who was in London, tried to obtain help from the citizens, and prevailed on the bishops to excommunicate the invaders. But early in October he fled into the West, where he thought the Despensers were strong; on the 15th the Londoners rose and murdered the treasurer; Archbishop Reynolds retired into Kent and began to make terms with the queen.

Triumphant
march of Isabella
to the
West of England.

Fall of Bristol.

Overthrow and
deposition of
the king.

Murder of
Edward II.

She in the meantime moved on in triumph; Henry of Lancaster, the king’s brothers, the earls, save Arundel and Warenne, the bishops almost to a man, joined her either in person or with effective help. Adam Orlton, the Bishop of Hereford, who had been the confidential friend of Bohun, and Henry Burghersh, the Bishop of Lincoln, the nephew of Badlesmere, led the councils of aggression. They advanced by Oxford to attack Bristol, where they expected to find Edward and the Earl of Winchester. On October 26 the queen reached Bristol, but her husband had gone into Wales and was attempting to escape to Ireland. The capture of Bristol, however, was the closing event of his reign. The Earl of Winchester was hanged forthwith. The young Edward was declared by the lords on the spot guardian of the kingdom, and he summoned a parliament to meet in his father’s absence. The king, with Hugh le Despenser and Baldock, were taken on November 16; on the 17th the Earl of Arundel was beheaded at Hereford; on the 24th Hugh le Despenser was hanged, drawn and quartered at the same place. The parliament was to settle the fate of the king, and the parliament met at Westminster on January 7. There matters were formally discussed, but the conclusion was, as all the world knew, foregone. Even if any had thought that, now that the country was rid of the Despensers, the king might be allowed to reign on, the dread of the London mob and of the armed force which Mortimer brought up silenced them. The wretched archbishop declared that the voice of the people was the voice of God. Bishop Orlton, professing to believe that if the king were released the queen’s life would not be safe, insisted that the parliament should choose between father and son. Bishop Stratford of Winchester, who led the Lancaster party and had no love for Mortimer, drew the articles on which the sentence of renunciation was founded. The king, he said, was incompetent or too indolent to judge between right and wrong; he had obstinately refused the advice of the wise and listened to evil counsel; he had lost Ireland, Scotland, and Gascony, he had injured the Church, oppressed the barons, he had broken his coronation oath, and he was ruining the land. After some debate the articles were placed before the unhappy king, who confessed that they were true and that he was not worthy to reign. On January 20 he resigned the crown and the parliament renounced their allegiance and set his son in his place. For eight months longer he dragged on a miserable life, of which but little is known. Men told sad stories of suffering and insult which after his death provoked his kinsmen to avenge him, but none interfered to save him now. The reign of Mortimer and Isabella was a reign of terror; and before the terror abated Edward was murdered. The place of his death, the Castle of Berkeley, and the date, September 21, are known. Henry of Lancaster, who was at first appointed to guard him, had treated him too well. His new keepers, either prompted by the queen and Mortimer or anxious to win a reward, slew him in some secret way. And thus ended a reign full of tragedy, a life that may be pitied but affords no ground for sympathy. Strange infatuation, unbridled vindictiveness, recklessness beyond belief, the breach of all natural affection, of love, of honor, and loyalty, are here; but there is none who stands forth as a hero. There are great sins and great falls and awful vengeances, but nothing to admire, none to be praised.