Edward III, son of Edward II, was crowned at fourteen. Until he
became of age, the government was nominally in the hands of a council,
but really in the control of Queen Isabelle and her "gentle Mortimer,"
the two murderers of his father (S233).
Early in his reign Edward attempted to reconquer Scotland (S219), but
failing in his efforts, made a peace acknowledging the independence of
that country. At home, however, he now gained a victory which
compensated him for his disappointment in not subduing the Scots.
Mortimer was staying with Queen Isabelle at Nottingham Castle. Edward
obtained entrance by a secret passage, carried him off captive, and
soon after brought him to the gallows. He next seized his mother, the
Queen, and kept her in confinement for the rest of her life in Castle
Rising, Norfolk.