The young king Edward of England was governed for a long time, as you have before seen by the counsels of his mother, the earl of Kent his uncle, and sir Roger Mortimer; at last a jealousy arose between the earl of Kent and sir Roger, insomuch that sir Roger, with the consent of the queen mother, gave the king to understand that the earl of Kent would shorten his life by poison, if he was not on his guard, to inherit the kingdom as next heir; for the young brother of the king, called John of Eltham, was lately dead1. King Edward believed these tales but too readily, and ordered his uncle, the earl of Kent, to be arrested and publicly beheaded, before any could come to intercede for him. the whole country were much concerned at it, and bore an ill will to the lord Mortimer ever after. Not long after, great infamy fell upon the queen mother - whether with just cause or not I am ignorant, but it was commonly said, that she was with child, and in this was the lord Mortimer inculpated. The king was likewise informed, that the lord Mortimer had been the author of all the charges respecting the earl of Kent, and consequently was the author of his death, through jealousy; and that the whole country believed him to be loyal and honest.
The king then ordered the lord Mortimer to be arrested and brought to London, before him and a very great number of of barons and nobles of the realm. A knight, by the king's command, recited all the deeds of lord Mortimer, from a declaration which he held in his hand. Every one was then asked, by way of counsel, what sentence should be passed. Judgment was soon given; for each had perfect knowledge of the of the facts, from report and good information. They replied to the king's question, that he ought to suffer the same death as sir Hugh Spencer, which sentence had neither delay of execution or mercy. He was immediately drawn on a hurdle through the city of London and placed on a ladder in the midst of the market-place; when he had his private parts cut off, and cast into a fire, because he had though and acted treasonably. His body was then quartered, and sent to the four principal cities in England; his head remaining in London2. The king, soon after, by the advice of his council, ordered his mother confined to a goodly castle, and gave her plenty of ladies to wait and attend on her, as well as knights and esquires of honour. He made her a handsome allowance to keep and maintain the state she had been used to; but forbade that she should ever go out, or show herself abroad, except at certain times, when any shows were exhibited in the court of the castle. The queen passed her time there meekly; and the king, her son, visited her twice or thrice a year.
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