Free Isabella: Braveheart of France by Colin Falconer Page A

situation. But they all stand against him now: Lancaster, Warwick, Hereford, even Pembroke. He tells her he is the noblest man in England, for he is the only one who fights for love, not politics. She thinks he is sordid and foolish, but she cannot say this to the king of England, so she keeps her peace and nurses the hurt, privately and meekly, like a small and wounded bird.
     
     
     

Chapter 16
     
    York, June 1312
     
    The child kicks.
    He must feel her agitation. She is exhausted from the journey down from Tynemouth. Already she feels she is the size of a castle, even to climb the stairs to her bedchamber leaves her breathless
    Lancaster’s army has now chased Edward all around the north of England. She has spent most of spring at Tynemouth Priory, with the mice and the draughts, staring at the grey sea. Edward has been forced to run like a felon in his own country. He still has no army to face them with.
    Isabella is angry to see him so reduced; angry at Edward for his stubborn refusal to see reason; furious at her uncle Lancaster and the Earl of Warwick for their disobedience. She is a daughter of France, and she did not marry the King of England to endure this.
    Edward paces the Great Hall, drinks more than is necessary and shouts at the servants. He sends supplies to Gaveston but discovers that they have been intercepted by Pembroke’s army, which now has Scarborough under siege. Gaveston smuggles missives out of the castle. It seems they are reduced to eating cobwebs and rats.
    Edward upturns tables and rips down tapestries in his frustration. The most powerful man in England is now powerless.
    The final message from Scarborough: Gaveston has sued for terms with Pembroke and has agreed to let himself be taken. He believes the earl to be an honourable man. It was this, or starvation.
    And within days Gaveston is back at York, marched into the Great Hall under guard. The Lord Pembroke stands aside, the king’s subject gives leave for his king to embrace his lover. It is socially awkward for them both, she supposes. How is one meant to behave?
    Only after they have done commiserating is Margaret allowed to intrude, and Pembroke then allows Gaveston to hold his son.
    She understands now why Gaveston calls him Joseph the Jew, although he does not do it on this occasion. Pembroke is olive skinned with a beak of a nose, though he fervently denies Semitic ancestors. Gaveston has made fun of him in less burdensome times, but never with the venom he reserves for Lancaster and Warwick.
    There are three days of negotiating final terms. Pembroke’s soldiery patrol the Abbey while their masters parlay a peace, but when it is done Edward emerges well pleased. There will be a Parliament called for early the next month; Gaveston will be allowed to put his case to the barons, and if nothing is decided, Pembroke agrees to escort him back to Scarborough and allow Edward to supply him with provisions. Until then he will stay with Pembroke at his castle at Wallingford, under guard.
    “I have your word on this?” he asks Pembroke.
    “I pledge my estates and my honour,” Pembroke answers, solemnly. “The Lords Ordainers act under law,” Pembroke sniffily adds. “We are knights of the realm, not animals!”
    This is not enough persuasion for Edward. He has him swear on the Bible he will keep his prisoner safe.
    Next day she watches from the window as Edward says his farewells. The king and his dearest cling to each other desperately. Finally Gaveston pulls away and jumps on his horse.
    Then he is gone, surrounded by a squadron of armed knights in Pembroke’s colours. Edward runs alongside the troopers for as long as he can, and then waves after him until he is out of sight.
    Surely a king does not behave this way.
     
     
     

Chapter 17
     
    Old Hugh comes to York, the only one of the earls to remain unflaggingly loyal. He shuffles into the Great Hall with sweat on his upper lip. He has a letter from the rector at