alternatehistory.com
1328: England
1328: O FORTUNA VELUT LUNA
"The arrival of Kent at such a critical time was no coincidence--the English expatriates in France had received a steady stream of news and reports from relatives and sympathizers back in England, some of whom were at the very top levels of English government such as Adam Orleton, Bishop of Worcester[1]. As news of angry crowds, furious bishops, and Edward's clear panic and lack of resolve reached them, many felt now was the time to act. Later accounts would place Roger Mortimer at the head of this crowd, and while there is a certain neatness and convenience to this, it is probably true. Not all were so certain. Edmund of Kent himself was apparently nervous and doubtful from the outset a dangerous sign of the problems to come. But then, the Earl had always been a weak personality, easily lead by more forceful ones. Whatever objections he might have felt, they were easily quashed.
"The exact port the rebels left from remains a mystery, as does the level of French involvement. More than a few sources place France's arch-schemer, Robert of Artois, at the center of things, though it is quite likely this is mere conjecture. What is certain is that the little party arrived in Cornwall, by all reports no larger than a hundred men, and began to march towards London, with Edmund declaring that he had come to "set England right again". By the time they reached the capital, his forces numbered in the thousands.
"Edward's response to this was a muddle. In theory, his other brother, Thomas of Norfolk, was supposed to be gathering forces to prevent just this from happening. However, Norfolk proved either horribly inept at his job or treacherously unwilling to perform it[2]--no such army emerged. On reaching London, the rebels discovered that Edward had already fled along with his eldest son and the Despensers, leaving treasurer Walter Stapledon in control of the city. That poor man did not stay in control for very long, being overpowered by a mob and hanged shortly after the arrival of the rebel forces[3]. Kent entered the city to the celebration of the people. A week later, he would call together "lords and men of renown" to discuss the welfare of the kingdom. In the days that followed such important men as the Earls of Norfolk and Lancaster[4] would answer that call. All appeared to have gone astonishingly well for the rebels.
"It would not last."
This Tumultuous Age: The Revolts and Upheavals of the 14th Century, Elizabeth Eckermann (1976)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] One of Edward's most outspoken foes, and one of our early sources for the homosexuality charge.
[2] This was even more the case IOTL, where he joined forces with Mortimer and Isabelle shortly after their arrival.
[3] This is how he died IOTL as well.
[4] The latter, in case you are wondering, is Henry, 3rd Earl, brother to the late unfortunate Thomas. More on him later.
"The arrival of Kent at such a critical time was no coincidence--the English expatriates in France had received a steady stream of news and reports from relatives and sympathizers back in England, some of whom were at the very top levels of English government such as Adam Orleton, Bishop of Worcester[1]. As news of angry crowds, furious bishops, and Edward's clear panic and lack of resolve reached them, many felt now was the time to act. Later accounts would place Roger Mortimer at the head of this crowd, and while there is a certain neatness and convenience to this, it is probably true. Not all were so certain. Edmund of Kent himself was apparently nervous and doubtful from the outset a dangerous sign of the problems to come. But then, the Earl had always been a weak personality, easily lead by more forceful ones. Whatever objections he might have felt, they were easily quashed.
"The exact port the rebels left from remains a mystery, as does the level of French involvement. More than a few sources place France's arch-schemer, Robert of Artois, at the center of things, though it is quite likely this is mere conjecture. What is certain is that the little party arrived in Cornwall, by all reports no larger than a hundred men, and began to march towards London, with Edmund declaring that he had come to "set England right again". By the time they reached the capital, his forces numbered in the thousands.
"Edward's response to this was a muddle. In theory, his other brother, Thomas of Norfolk, was supposed to be gathering forces to prevent just this from happening. However, Norfolk proved either horribly inept at his job or treacherously unwilling to perform it[2]--no such army emerged. On reaching London, the rebels discovered that Edward had already fled along with his eldest son and the Despensers, leaving treasurer Walter Stapledon in control of the city. That poor man did not stay in control for very long, being overpowered by a mob and hanged shortly after the arrival of the rebel forces[3]. Kent entered the city to the celebration of the people. A week later, he would call together "lords and men of renown" to discuss the welfare of the kingdom. In the days that followed such important men as the Earls of Norfolk and Lancaster[4] would answer that call. All appeared to have gone astonishingly well for the rebels.
"It would not last."
This Tumultuous Age: The Revolts and Upheavals of the 14th Century, Elizabeth Eckermann (1976)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] One of Edward's most outspoken foes, and one of our early sources for the homosexuality charge.
[2] This was even more the case IOTL, where he joined forces with Mortimer and Isabelle shortly after their arrival.
[3] This is how he died IOTL as well.
[4] The latter, in case you are wondering, is Henry, 3rd Earl, brother to the late unfortunate Thomas. More on him later.
- Space Oddity
- Word Count: 500