Mortimer tries to flummox Kent by telling him he will be Protector over Prince Edward, but then tells Prince Edward he should not trust Kent because Kent betrayed his own brother. Kent enters with the prince, and Mortimer and the Queen do not like him providing the boy with counsel. The Queen pretends she cares for Edward and gives the men a ring to take to him. He also tells them not to be kind to Edward at all, wanting his spirits and morale to droop. Mortimer calls Matrevis and Gurney and gives them his command. The Queen thinks her son will not be safe while the king lives, but does not want to kill the king herself. Mortimer decides he will have Gurney and Matrevis discharge Berkeley and apprehend the king and put him somewhere only they know. The Queen rejoices and calls for her son. Isabel agrees and pledges him her love.Ī messenger brings them the news that Edward is at Killingworth and has resigned. Mortimer says they will erect him to the throne speedily, and Mortimer will be Protector over him. Mortimer and Isabel discuss Prince Edward. Edward is disconsolate, but says “death ends all, and I can die but once” (V.1.153). Berkeley is now to be in charge of him, and tells him they must go. Edward curses Mortimer, whose hand he recognizes. He orders them out of his sight.īerkeley enters with a letter from the Queen for Leicester, asking him to resign. He then tells them they must take it forcibly, for it is to be taken from him for the murderous Mortimer and treacherous Isabel.

Edward sees that this is the only course, and starts to give them the crown. Trussell says Parliament wants to know if he will resign or not, and Edward spits out that he will not do so while he still lives.Īs Winchester and Trussell turn to go with this answer, Leicester tells Edward that the prince will lose his ascendency. A moment later he decides he wishes to be king for one more day, and puts it back on. Leicester asks if he will yield his crown, and he initially agrees and takes it off.

The Bishop of Winchester tells him this is all for England’s good, but Edward scoffs at this assertion.

He has no regiment, wears a crown but is controlled by his nobles, has an inconstant Queen, and has no friends. Leicester urges Edward to keep his head up, but Edward moans that the sorrows of kings are not easily allayed.

Edward II by Christopher Marlowe