something to support his family, or he will
become disliked.--AUTHOR.]

Edward found himself now on the verge of open war with Ireland and
Wales, and the population of the Isle of Wight and another person, whose
name is not given, threatened to declare war. The English nobles, too,
were insubordinate, and the king, who had fallen under the influence of
a man named Spencer and his father, was required by the best society,
headed by Lancaster, to exile both of these wicked advisers.

Afterwards the king attacked Lancaster with his army, and having
captured him, had him executed in 1322.

[Illustration: UNFORTUNATE KING WAS TREATED WITH REVOLTING CRUELTY.]

The Spencers now returned, and the queen began to cut up strangely and
create talk. She formed the acquaintance of Roger Mortimer, who
consented to act as her paramour. They organized a scheme to throw off
the Spencers and dethrone Edward the Thinkless, her husband, in 1325.

Any one who has tried to be king even for a few weeks under the above
circumstances must agree with the historian that it is no moonlight
frolic.

Edward fled to Wales, but in 1326 was requested to come home and remain
in jail there, instead of causing a scandal by staying away and spending
his money in Wales. He was confined in Kenilworth Castle, while his son
was ostensibly king, though his wife and Mortimer really managed the
kingdom and behaved in a scandalous way, Mortimer wearing the king's
clothes, shaving with his razor, and winding the clock every night as
though he owned the place.[A] This was in 1327.

[Footnote A: The clock may safely be omitted from the above account, as
later information would indicate that this may be an error, though there
is no doubt that Mortimer at this time wore out two suits of the king's
pajamas.--Author.]

In September the poor king was put to death by co-respondent Mortimer in
a painful and sickening manner, after having been most inhumanly
treated in Berkeley Castle, whither he had been removed.

Thus ends the sad history of a monarch who might have succeeded in a
minor position on a hen farm, but who made a beastly fluke in the king
business.

The assurance of Mortimer in treating the king as he did is a blot upon
the fair page of history in high life. Let us turn over a new leaf.

[Illustration: ON A HEN FARM.]

CHAPTER XIV.

IRRITABILITY OF THE FRENCH: INTERMINABLE DISSENSION, ASSISTED BY THE
PLAGUE, CONTINUES REDUCING THE POPULATI