As soon as day broke they were anxious to move from the windy shore and in a short time they were in the town of Harwich where Isabella’s brother-in-law, Edward’s half-brother Thomas of Brotherton, came to greet her.
She had always been on very friendly terms with Edward’s half-brothers, Edmund of Kent and Thomas of Brotheron; their French mother, Edward the First’s second wife Marguerite, was of course closely related to Isabella.
Marguerite had brought up her boys to observe certain French customs and this meant that there had been an immediate rapport between them and Isabella.
At times like this that was very apparent and it was fortunate for her that they were more ready to be on her side than on Edward’s. Moreover, like so many people in England they were with anyone who was against the Despensers.
The news of her arrival spread through the countryside, She was the wronged wife of a pervert King, it was said; she had flown from England out of fear of the wicked Despensers who had bewitched the King even as Gaveston― of evil repute― had done. They rallied to her banner; not only the common people but the barons who had for a long time been determined to take the first opportunity of getting rid of the King’s favourite.
Adam of Orlton, Bishop of Hereford, who had done so much to help Roger de Mortimer escape the Tower, was overjoyed when he heard of the arrival of the Queen and her army. He had been living uneasily in England, protected only by his calling; and he knew that if the King and his friends ever had a chance of taking revenge on him they would seize it, Now that the Queen had arrived with her army that chance even receded even farther.
He set out to meet Isabella, to assure her of his devotion, which was unnecessary really; he had shown that when he had so ably assisted Mortimer’s escape.
He was received with affection by the Queen and Mortimer and the very next day preached a sermon in their presence to which the people flocked so that the church was filled to overflowing and the people crowded into the porch and at the windows to hear him.
He took the opportunity of thundering against the King and took his subject from the fourth chapter of the second book of Kings when the man complained of the sickness in his head and shortly after died.
‘When the head of a kingdom becometh sick and full of disease,’ thundered Adam, ‘it must be taken off and it is useless to resort to other remedies.’
The congregation listened in awed silence. The Queen glanced at Mortimer who was smiling quietly. The Prince was anxious but he now fully believed that what his father was doing was against the good of England and each day he was becoming more and more sure of his destiny.
He believed now that what was good for England must be done, and here was a Holy Bishop in his pulpit confirming all that he had learned from his mother.
It was sad. It was tragic. But it was right.
The King was in the palace of the Tower of London when news was brought to him of the Queen’s arrival in England with one army led by Roger de Mortimer and another by John of Hainault.
And they came against him!
He sent at once for Hugh. He had never seen Hugh so disturbed before.
Hugh had always comforted him, refusing to believe in harm, always seeing the bright side of life. It was one quality Edward especially loved about him.
‘They will not succeed,’ cried Hugh. ‘We will raise an army.’
‘How?’ asked his father.
‘We will do it,’ insisted Hugh. ‘First we must get away from here. The Londoners have always disliked you and loved the Queen. Once the news reaches London it will be too late.’
Although it was a mild September day it was chilly as always in the Tower and yet the sweat was on Edward’s brow and there was a terrible fear within him. They were going to take Hugh away from him. He would never allow that.
He would accept anything rather than that.
He turned to Hugh with appealing eyes. ‘We must stay together,’ he said.
‘So shall we, my lord. But we shall have to leave London without delay.’
‘The children―’ began Edward.
His son John of Eltham and his two daughters Eleanor and Joanna were in their apartments in this very Tower. Could they take them with them?
Hugh shook his head. ‘My wife will take charge of them,’ he said. ‘We should escape and as soon as possible.’
‘And what of London? Who will defend it?’
‘Good Bishop Stapledon has shown himself a friend to us. Let us leave him here to hold the City for you.’
‘Excellent,’ cried Edward. ‘Let that be done.’
‘I suggest,’ said the elder Despenser, ‘that we make for Bristol. Then, if the need should arise we can take ship to Ireland.’
‘It must be so, I suppose,’ sighed the King. ‘Who would have believed it possible that my own Queen should so turn against me!’
‘She was always jealous of me,’ replied Hugh.
‘But she did not appear to mind. She was always so ready to be with me―’
‘We did not realize, my lord, that we had a she-wolf in our midst.’
‘And she has Edward with her! That I find hard to bear.’
‘She has John of Hainault and Mortimer―’
‘That traitor! There shall be a price on his head. Oh God, why did I not have that head when I had a chance to take it?’
Edward sighed and looked back over a reign of lost opportunities but there was no time for regrets now. The Earls of Arundel and Hereford had arrived at the Tower. They had come to warn the King.
‘I have some friends left then,’ said Edward.
They agreed that the best plan was to leave London with all haste and make for Bristol.
It was impossible to keep the departure a secret and very soon it was being whispered throughout the streets of London that the King had fled and the Queen was on the way.
The streets were full of shouting people. ‘Down with the King! Down with the Despensers! Long live the Queen and Prince Edward!’
There was no doubt that, to a man, London was for the Queen.
Walter Stapledon was deeply disturbed by the shouts he heard in the streets of London and was making his way towards the Tower, the custody of which the King had left to him. He was wondering whether the royal children there would be safe in charge of Hugh le Despenser’s wife and thought that perhaps she had not been a good choice. Anyone connected with the Despensers would be unpopular with the mob.
He intended to fortify the Tower lest the Londoners should attempt to take it. He must act quickly.
As he was hurrying along he heard his name spoken.
He shivered. Someone had recognized him. He quickened his pace but he realized that he was being followed.
‘Stapledon,’ he heard. ‘The King’s Bishop! He spied on the Queen.’
He was in the midst of his enemies. He hurried through an alley and changed direction. He would make for St Paul’s and sanctuary. If the mob were aroused against him it would be the end.
But he was too late. They were all around him.
‘It is the traitor Bishop,’ they jeered. ‘Dear friend of Edward and the Despensers. We know what to do with such like, do we not, even if he be a Bishop?’
He heard the ribald laughter; he saw the leering faces― he was conscious of the merciless mob.