Edward II

Isabella learns from Mortimer that the king’s flatterers have been put to death. Mortimer says that he will gladly serve as Regent during her son’s reign. Isabella trusts his judgment and says that she will go along with whatever he thinks is best. The Bishop of Winchester and a messenger arrive. They tell her that Edward gave up his crown, but also that his brother Kent made a rescue attempt at the prison where Edward was being held. In order to prevent another attempt, Mortimer assigns Matrevis and Gurney to dog the king’s every moment. They are to move him from location to location constantly, so that no one will know where he is. Isabella feels pity for Edward. She gives them a ring and asks them to deliver it to her husband for her.

Kent and Prince Edward arrive. Mortimer cunningly offers Kent the position of Regent. He has decided to speak agreeably to him, despite his awareness of Kent’s role in the escape attempt. Kent is aware of his deception. Prince Edward grows upset and wishes that his father could continue as king. He does not want to reign when he is so young. Mortimer forces the prince to leave the room with him, and Kent promises himself that he will free the king. 

Matrevis and Gurney move the king to a new location. After washing him with water from the channel, they shave his beard so that he will be harder to recognize. Kent appears and asks to speak to the king. They take him prisoner and lead him away. 

Mortimer gives a soliloquy. He says that there will be no way to retain his new status unless the king dies. He has devised a plan that will make it look as if Matrevis and Gurney have killed Edward. He has hired a man named Lightborn who will carry out the assassination. Lightborn understands that there can be no sign that it was a murder. He assures Mortimer that he is skilled in both killing and killing with subtlety. He will depart as soon as it is done. Isabella’s son, who is now King Edward III, enters after his coronation. Kent is brought before Mortimer and Edward III and accused of trying to help Edward II escape. Despite Edward III’s protests, Mortimer sentences Kent to death. 

Lightborn approaches Matrevis and Gurney and tells them that he has been hired to kill Edward. He asks them to prepare a table, a hot poker, and a bed. As soon as Lightborn enters, Edward knows that he is there to kill him, but Lightborn feigns innocence, trying to ingratiate himself with small talk. Edward tells Lightborn all of the troubles that have led him to this point. Lightborn then summons Matrevis and Gruney. They bring him the things he asked for. Edward is murdered by Lightborn. The implication is that Lightborn sodomized him with the hot poker, although it is not explicitly stated. Gurney then stabs Lightborn and kills him. Then he takes the king’s body to Mortimer. 

Matrevis tells Mortimer that the king and Lightborn have both been killed. He says he regrets killing the king, and that Gurney has escaped to avoid prosecution for Lightborn’s murder. Isabella enters. She has been told about the murder of Edward and knows that they are responsible. King Edward III enters and accuses them directly of murdering his father. He shows them a letter that Mortimer wrote when arranging the assassination. Mortimer is taken away to be executed, although Isabella pleads for her son to spare him. Edward III says that if he learns that she has been complicit in any way, she will be punished as well. A lord enters, bearing Mortimer’s head. Edward III delivers a speech that commemorates and eulogizes the successes and tragedies of his father.