Edward III – The boy king! The crown without power.
The fourteen year old Prince Edward, Edward of Windsor as he was known, had been crowned king in February 1327 at Westminster. Of course, the real power lay with his mother Queen Isabella’s paramour, Roger Mortimer. However, he used his power to ill-effect. Mortimer’s first major gaffe was a poorly executed invasion of Scotland, ending in a humiliating treaty signed in 1328 which acknowledged Robert Bruce as king of Scotland. The seventeen year old Edward III was opposed to the agreement, but was in no position to defy Mortimer.
‘Whilst honest men went forth toiling!
This dirty dog Mortimer, spent his time upon the heads of other men soiling!
Although to the nation he presented himself as honest and straight, he was himself really quite bent!
Not content with having killed one son of Edward I, he decided to kill another, Edmund of Kent!
Mortimer, now ensconced as regent, developed into the classic model of an overmighty subject. In 1328, he assumed the title Earl of March and enjoyed a life of almost obscene luxury and ostentation. Terrified of being himself removed from power, Mortimer eliminated anyone he saw as a rival. One was the king’s uncle, the Earl of Kent, a son of Edward I. Mortimer managed to entrap the rather dim Earl in a plot, and as a result he was executed. The king was powerless to help his unfortunate uncle.
Edmund, Earl of Kent.
Relations between Mortimer and the young king began to deteriorate very sharply. Mortimer, his paranoia now in overdrive, deployed a multitude of spies to keep their eyes on Edward and watch his every move. Not to be outdone, Edward quietly gathered a group of loyalists around him and patiently bided his time. The king chose his allies carefully and one, Sir William Montague proved to be particularly useful.
William Montague
Edward topples Mortimer and Queen Isabella.
In October 1330, Mortimer, the Queen and Edward were in residence at Nottingham castle for the parliament which had been convened there. It was at this point that Edward saw his opportunity to oust Mortimer.
Suspicious of Edward’s intentions, Mortimer had made sure that every entrance to the castle was secure and guarded. However, Edward had made a secret arrangement with the constable of the castle to leave one entrance unlocked. Once inside, the king and Montague with a body of men, followed a tunnel which led straight to Mortimer and Isabella’s quarters and burst in taking both of them by complete surprise. There was a moment of high mirth when the Bishop of Lincoln, who was present, tried to escape down the toilet chute but became stuck and had to be helped out.
‘Edward seized Mortimer at the dead of night!
He was captured in the bed chamber after a brief fight!
Queen Isabella cried, dear son, mercy for sweet Mortimer I do crave!
But Edward would give none, he had a noose put around the neck of the murderous knave!’
Mortimer was swiftly transported to the Tower of London from which he had so dramatically escaped in 1323. There was to be no escape on this occasion. On November 29th he was dragged to Tyburn and hanged as a common criminal. Mortimer was granted one mercy in that, probably in deference to the wishes of the Queen, he was allowed to hang until he expired.
Edward, aged eighteen was now king of England in his own right.