Edward II

Isabella talks with Prince Edward. Her brother is not going to aid her in her struggle with Edward. The prince believes that they should return to England. A man named Sir John of Hainault enters. He speaks kindly to the queen and asks her to come with him to Hainault, where there will be no shortage of resources to help her cause. Kent and Mortimer enter. Isabella did not know whether they had survived the battle, so she is happy to see them. Mortimer says that he intends to install Prince Edward in the king’s place, but the prince disagrees. Before leaving for Hainault, all in attendance—except for the prince—agree that they will do whatever they must to depose Edward and restore England to its former peace and glory. 

Edward and Spencer Junior boast about their triumph. A messenger arrives. He tells them that Isabella, Prince Edward, Mortimer, and Kent are all in Hainault. Edward knows they only have one reason to be there: to pressure him into relinquishing his throne to the prince, or to seek assistance in removing him by force. Edward is disappointed that his son has been dragged into the struggle, but is still committed to putting down the rebellion. 

The rebel force arrives in England, where they meet with Isabella and Mortimer near Harwich. The queen and Mortimer make speeches about the coming liberation of the country, and their plans to seat Prince Edward upon the throne. 

Knowing they are currently outmatched, Edward and his followers are forced to retreat. Kent enters. He delivers a monologue about his regrets. He wishes that he had not defected, but had continued to support his brother. When the rebel party arrives, they give Prince Edward the title of Lord Warden of the realm. Kent asks what they intend to do with the king. This arouses the suspicion of both Isabella and Mortimer—unless Kent was having doubts, they believe he should already know what will happen to Edward after he loses his throne. Mortimer tells Kent that Parliament must decide the king’s fate.

Rice ap Howell enters with Spencer Senior, who is his prisoner. The rebels thank him for his devotion. They then learn that Edward, Spencer Junior, and their followers have escaped to Ireland. Mortimer commands that Spencer Senior be executed. 

Edward, Spencer Junior, and Baldock have disguised themselves as monks and are hiding in an abbey. Given the complicated nature of their plight, they find much to admire in the simple lives of the monks. Rice and the Earl of Leicester arrive. Edward realizes that they have been betrayed. Spencer Junior and Baldock are arrested for high treason. The earl tells the king that he will be taken to Killingworth. Spencer Junior and Baldock are taken away to meet their fates. They tell each other to remember the king fondly, and that if they are to die, they will do so knowing that they acted rightly.