e, and the
secret protection of her brother, enlisted in her service near three
thousand men, she set sail from the harbor of Dort, and landed safely,
and without opposition, on the coast of Suffolk. The earl of Kent was in
her company: two other princes of the blood, the earl of Norfolk and
the earl of Leicester, joined her soon after her landing with all their
followers: three prelates, the bishops of Ely, Lincoln, and Hereford,
brought her both the force of their vassals and the authority of their
character:[**] even Robert de Watteville, who had been sent by the king
to oppose her progress in Suffolk, deserted to her with all his forces.
To render her cause more favorable, she renewed her declaration, that
the solo purpose of her enterprise was to free the king and kingdom
from the tyranny of the Spensers, and of Chancellor Baldoc, their
creature.[*] The populace were allured by her specious pretences: the
barons thought themselves secure against forfeitures by the appearance
of the prince in her army: and a weak, irresolute king, supported by
ministers generally odious, was unable to stem this torrent, which bore
with such irresistible violence against him.

Edward, after trying in vain to rouse the citizens of London to some
sense of duty,[****] departed for the west, where he hoped to meet with
a better reception; and he had no sooner discovered his weakness by
leaving the city, than the rage of the populace broke out without
control against him and his ministers.

* T. de la More, p. 598.

** Walsing. p. 123. Ypod. Neust, p. 507. T. de la More, p.
598., Murimuth, p. 66.

*** Ypod, Neust. p. 508.

**** Walsing. p. 123.

They first plundered, then murdered all those who were obnoxious to
them: they seized the bishop of Exeter, a virtuous and loyal prelate, as
he was passing through the streets; and having beheaded him, they threw
his body into the river.[*] They made themselves masters of the Tower
by surprise; then entered into a formal association to put to death,
without mercy, every one who should dare to oppose the enterprise
of Queen Isabella, and of the prince.[**] A like spirit was soon
communicated to all other parts of England; and threw the few servants
of the king, who still entertained thoughts of performing their duty,
into terror and astonishment.

Edward was hotly pursued to Bristol by the earl of Kent, seconded by the
foreign forces under John de Hainault. He foun