he had an opportunity of executing his cruel and revengeful purposes. He communicated the Earl's letter to the King, with fuch invidious reflections of his own, that Edward wrote to his Uncle requiring his immediate attendance. He was no fooner arrived at Winchester than he was taken into cuftody and confined. Some of Mortimer's creatures being fent to examine him, they returned with false reports and forged confeffions; which fo exafperated the King, that he ordered the letter to be laid before the Parliament. The confequence which naturally arose from this method of procedure was, that he was found guilty of high treafon, and condemned to lofe his head. Mortimer, apprehensive that the King from his humane difpofition and affection for his Uncle might be induced to grant the Earl a pardon, refolved to give him no time for deliberation. By the affistance of the Queen Mother he procured a warrant from his Majefty, before his anger had fubfided, and gave directions that it should be carried into immediate execution. But fo uni

verfally

verfally was the Earl beloved, that the common executioner refused to perform his office; and though he was brought on the fcaffold about noon, yet it was evening before any one could be found to fupply his place; even then the fentence was executed by a felon, who, as a reward for the service, received a free pardon for the crimes he had committed. The King was deeply affected at his Uncle's death, and too late discovered the methods by which he had been impofed on. But these illegal practices became at length the fubject of daily complaints, and all parties, forgetting former animofities, confpired in hatred against the detested perpetrator.

It was impoffible that these abuses could long escape the observation of a Prince endowed with fo much fpirit and penetration as young Edward, who, being now in his eighteenth year, and thinking himself capable of governing, repined at being kept subfervient to this infolent minifter. But fo

much

much was he guarded by the emiffaries of Mortimer, that it required great fecrefy and caution to conduct any attempt to obtain his freedom. However, affifted by feveral potent Lords whom he had gained over to his interest, he suddenly threw off the yoke and feized the ufurper in an apartment adjoining to the Queen's, at the castle at Nottingham, in the following manner. The young King being now a father *, the dominion of Mortimer became irksome to him: he beheld with indignation his pride, arrogance, and avarice, and enjoyed a fecret pleasure at the public hatred and odium under which that nobleman laboured: he obferved with equal

* On the 24th day of January 1328, the King had married Philippa, daughter of William the Third, Count of Hainault and Holland. The nuptials were celebrated at York with great pomp and fplendour; but the ceremony of her coronation was not performed till about two years after. And on the 15th day of June 1330 their eldeft fon the Prince of Wales was born at Wodeftoke. He was fuckled by his royal Mother, whofe healthy conftitution and sweet difpofition contributed in a great meafure to entail on her fon that strength of body and placid temper, which rendered him a terror to his enemies, and gained him universal esteem.

fhame

fhame and forrow the fcandalous familiarity which fubfifted between his mother and her favourite incensed at these disagreeable obfervations, which now furnished converfation for the public, he refolved to free himself. from his difgraceful fubjection to this infolent upftart. The King's fentiments foon became perceptible to thofe few Noblemen that had access to his Majefty, who failed not to inflame his refentment; but as Mortimer had ufurped the royal authority, and intirely engroffed the administration of public affairs into his own hands, the whole power of the kingdom was at his devotion. Befides which, he was conftantly furrounded by a body of two hundred armed knights, and continually employed a number of spies to watch the motions of his Majefty. This rendered the undertaking difficult; but King Edward was not of a temper to be intimidated by dangers he imparted his design to William lord Montacute and feveral other Noblemen, who all concurred in advising him to apprehend the Earl during the next Seffion

of

of Parliament, which was fummoned to meet foon after at Nottingham. This was approved of by the King, and he fet out with intention to take poffeffion of the caftle of that city; but the Queen Mother and Mortimer, fufpecting his defign, repaired thither before him, and took up their quarters in it with all their attendants, fo that there was scarcely room for the King himself. Mortimer, having received from his fpies intelligence of the intentions of his enemies, made fure of defeating their project by a timely feizure of their perfons. This however he was prevented from doing by the expedition of Lord Montacute, who prevailed on Sir William Ealand, governor of the caftle, to favour their fcheme. Sir William readily agreed to affift his Majefty; but at the fame time informed him, that it was impracticable to admit them by the common entry, as the Queen had ordered new locks to be put upon the gates, and the keys to be brought every night into her chamber and laid under her pillow. Nevertheless he recollected, that on the western fide of the castle

there

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