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ROYAL HERALDRY. 39-
In 1328, however, Isabella, accompanied by Mortimer, attended the
marriage of her daughter Joanna, aged five years, to David Bruce, aged
seven, at Berwick; but neither of the late King's brothers nor the Earl of
Lancaster attended. In fact an estrangement had already begun, and
Mortimer's high-handed and outrageous conduct, as well as the heartless
and unscrupulous manner in which Isabella made all the interests of the
young King subservient to the caprices and ambition of her paramour,
had roused their indignation. Henry of Lancaster had already taken up
arms, and put forth a manifesto calling for an enquiry into the late King's
death, and her grasping rapacity. Edmond of Woodstock, equally prompt
in action though less cautious, was more easily disposed of. He had had
a real affection for his unfortunate brother, and was tormented now with
remorse as to the part which he had taken towards him. It was known
that for some time he had been confined in Corfe Castle ;
and the confident
belief of the neighbourhood was that he had never been removed
from thence, and that the story of his murder at Berkeley Castle was
a fiction. Mortimer and the Queen caused a report to be circulated that
he was still alive there, and masques and shows took place there, as
though for the diversion of some great prince or king. Edmond employed
a friar to make enquiries as to the truth of this on the spot, who, having
obtained admission to the castle, was shewn, at a distance, a person in
the great hall, sitting at table, clothed in royal habiliments, with princely
attendants, whose air and figure greatly resembled those of the late King,
and he reported accordingly.
The Earl of Kent fell into the trap thus cunningly laid for him;
and being at Avignon consulted Pope John XXII. upon this, who at
once commanded him to help with all his power to deliver his brother
out of prison. On his return to England, without further enquiry or
delay, he rode to Corfe Castle, and demanded of the governor, Sir John
Daveril, to be conducted to the apartment of Sir Edward of Carnarvon,
his brother. The governor did not deny that he was there, but pleaded
his inability to allow anyone to see him. However, after many rich
presents, he consented to deliver a letter which the Earl had brought for
him, in which he stated that " I have unto me assenting all the great
" men of England with all their apparrell with
(i.e. armour) and treasure
" exceeding much, for to maintain and help your quarrel so far forth that
"you shall be king again as you were before, and hereto they have all
"sworn to me upon a book, as well prelates as earls and barons." This
was, of course, immediately conveyed to Isabella, and the Earl was at
once arrested at Winchester, where the parliament was then assembled,
and arraigned on the charge of high treason before the peers. His own
letter was the chief evidence against him ;
but he frankly confessed that
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