Edward II.

The first parliament called by this king, was at Northampton, in 1308, in the first year of his reign, and before his coronation, wherein it was enacted, that the base coin used in his father's reign should not be refused upon pain of life and limb. Here the clergy granted a 15th of their goods, and the laity a 20th. An order was made at this time for the burial of the late king, who was solemnly brought from Waltham, and interred at Westminister, with much funeral pomp and ceremony. But to allay the young king's grief for the loss of his father, a marriage was, also, concluded in this parliament between his favourite Pierce Gaveston, the new earl of Cornwall, and the daughter and heir of Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester. Our modern historians are full of invectives against the king's favourite, Gaveston; and every fresh favour granted to this foreigner, by the king, increased the hatred of the lords against him. Rapin observes, 'that hardly would an Englishman raised to so high a station have been endured, much less a private Gascon gentleman, in whom they discovered no other merit than handsome face, an easy shape, and a quick wit; very agreeable in conversation, but little proper to govern a state.' On the other hand, dr. Brady, from sir Thos. de la More, who was servant to Edward II, and wrote his life, adds to the character of person and sense, which the Monsieur gives him, 'that he was a great general and sufficiently skilful in military affairs; which appeared by his management of, and keeping in due subjection the Scots, when he commanded the English forces in that kingdon; and for which, adds our authorities, he was much envied by those who saw his happy success.' However, since the lords plainly saw that it was in vain to press the king to part with his favourite, and that he would never consent to it unless he was forced, they convened themselves at Ware, and from thence went to Northampton; and the king, having no forces to oppose them, was obliged to summon a parliament to meet 15 days after. Which being met accordingly, at London, divers articles were laid to the charge of the favourite, 'as abusing the king's ear by obtaining immoderate grants to himself; his embezzling the treasure of the kindgon, and taking the best jewels of the crown to his own use.' Thus far Mr. Tyrrel; but he omits what J. Stowe adds in their complaint, though he quotes the very passage from that history, viz. that the lords told the king, 'that Gaveston's father was executed for being a traitor to the king of France; that his mother was burned for a witch; and that the said Pierce was banished for consenting to his mother's witchcraft; and that he had now bewitched the king himself.' See Stowe's Hist. p. 213 -- The king, as is said, hoping to divide the barons, and take off some that had been the least provoked, proposed it to the abp. of Canterbury, the bp. of Durham, the earls of Lancaster and Hereford, that he would refer all differences to them, and confirm whatsoever they should judge most fit to be done on this occasion. But the bps. and lords would not undertake the odium of such an arbitration; and said, 'they would act nothing without the general consent of all the rest of the barons, who would not be satisfied with any thing less than that the earl of Cornwall should immediately quit the kingdom.' This the king delaying to grant, they were about to take up arms; but, he, fearing the ill consequence of a downright denial, after many altercations with his nobels, was, at last, obliged to part with his favourite, and to banish him from England for ever. This sentence had the ratification of all the estates; and to make it stronger on the king's part, he confirmed it by letters patents under the great seal, which letters patents, and the sentence of banishment, are to be found at large in Tyrrell's Hist. vol. 3. p. 229. All the mitigation the king could gain for minion, in this matter, was to send him into Ireland, over which kingdom he made him governor; and the king himself bore him company as far as Bristol. But this was not the only business transacted at this parliament. The lords had a mind to fall upon new modelling the government again; and accordingly presented an address to the king, complaining, 'that the state and his own household were so ill managed, that it was absolutely necessary to find means to prevent the consequences of this disorder.' They added, 'that the only proper method, as they thought, was for the king to leave to certain lords, appointed by the parliament, the cure of well governing the kingdom, and his own domestic affairs.' This very modest address, which his father would have made them smart for, this weak prince gave his consent to; and without considering the consequence, says M. Rapin, of a condescension so pernicious to his authority and quiet, he permitted the parliament to chuse 7 bishops, 8 earls, and 6 barons, to make the proposed regulation. No sooner were these commissioners constituted, but they all took an oath, 'That they would make such ordinances as should be to the honour of God, the honour and profit of holy church, to the honour of their lord the king, and to the profit of him and his people, &c.' After which they made several ordinances, to the number of 41, which will be found in dr. Brady's Hist. p. 103, and is printed in his appendix. The same author has given us a translation of them, in effect, with the king's confirmation of them, both of which are too long for our purpose.

Another parliament met at Stamford, July 26, 1309; it was summoned to suppress the ill intentions of the Scots; but we do not find any thing done to that purpose. Here the king so far prevailed with the major part of the nobility, there present, that they were content Pierce Gaveston should enjoy the earldom of Cornwall during life.

On the 18th of Oct. 1310, the king held another parliament, or rather a piece of a parliament, at York; for here several discontented lords refused to come; being greatly dissatisfied at what was done at the last. At this meeting the renowned Pierce Gaveston appeared again, and took his place as earl of Cornwall; but he had much better have staid where he was, as the consequenece will shew. The heads of the opposition, who refused their attendance, were the earl of Lancaster, the king's cousin German; and the earls of Warwick, Oxford, Lincoln and Arundale; whom dr. Brady calls the Ordainers. The chief business done at this meeting was, first the king published his reasons for recalling his favourite, which were, 'that he was banished contrary to the laws and usages of the kingdom, which he, the king, was bound to maintain by the oath he took at his coronation; and seeing he was, in the instrument of exile, stiled no otherwise than good and loyal, he returned at his commandment; and was ready to stand trial before  him, and answer to all such as would accuse him, every thing that should be objected against him, according to the laws and usages aforesaid.' This declaration was dated at York, Jan, 18, and directed to the sheriff of Yorkshire and all the sheriffs in England. The lords, who were assembled, neglected not this opportunity offered them, and represented to the king, 'that the laws and customs of the kingdom were not observed, nor the late made Ordinances regarded.' Upon which the king, to obviate such reports, issued out another declaration, by which he commanded the sheriffs of all counties to proclaim in full county, and in all cities, boroughs and market towns, and in other places which they should think expedient, 'that it was his great care and chief desire, his peace should every where be observed, and that all the laws and customs of the kingdom, used and approved in the time of his progenitors, and also all the ordinances lately made to the honour of God and holy church, and his own, to the profit of him and his people, which were not to the damage or prejudice of him and his crown, or contrary to the laws and customs aforesaid, should be maintainted and kept. Witness the king at York, Jan. 26.' -- See Brady's App. No. 54. -- The discontented lords were then in London, and the king, fearing some disturbance might happen, sent an order to the mayor, aldermen, and common council of London, 'to secure the city, so as by the meetings of the prelates, earls, barons and others, there might happen no hurt or danger to him, or the city. The declaration and order above, availing nothing to better the king's cause; nor another, wherein he sets forth 'that he was resolved to preserve the rights of his crown and royal dignity, the peace and tranquillity of holy church, and the whole people committed to his charge in all things,' in order to proceed, amicably, with the dissatisfied bishops and barons, and according to the power reserved in the protestation he made when he confirmed the Ordinances, the king appointed commissioners out of those prelates and barons he had with him at York, to treat with those of the Secession at London, about the observation of the Ordinances, upon which were grounded all their pretences of discontent; and to reform and correct, by their good advice, all such things in them as were prejudicial or injurious to him, or contrary to the form of the commission, before granted, if any such should appear. The prelates, earls, and barons, who were then at London, excused themselves from treating concerning the Ordinances, in the absence of of the king, and sent him this answer, 'that in his presence, whenever he pleased to call them together, they would treat upon the Ordinances, and should be ready to do all things according to his own protestation, and also according to the protestation they made at the time of publishing these ordinances.

The seceding lords began now to declare openly, that they would by force drive Gaveston from the king; and accordingly raised an army, over which, by common consent Thomas earl of Lancaster was made general. After which they sent a message to the king 'that they besought him either to deliver Pierce Gaveston to them; or, as it had been ordained, command him instantly to depart the kingdom.' The king, putting his favourite's preservation on a footing with his own, retired with him from York to Newcastle; where the barons and their army followed them. From thence they went to Tinmouth, where the king taking shipping, carried Gaveston with him to Scarborough, and placing him in the strong castle there, he himself left him and went to York. The earl of Lancaster and his army still followed them, and coming before Scarborough castle, they besieged it; which, after some time, capitulating, Gaveston rendered himself upon condition, 'to stand to the judgment of the barons, and that he might once more speak with the king.' But now, having him at their mercy, he found but a small share of it from them; for they soon after, without much process, beheaded him, as a public enemy to the kindgom. Gaveston being thus cut off, the lords in the confederacy sent a haughty message to the king, proudly demanding, says Walsingham, that their Ordinances should be confirmed and put in execution, threatening, 'that, if it was not done speedily, they would come and compel him to do it.' And they united all their forces, and quartered themselves in the country about Dunstable, the king being then at London. but soon after, a treaty was set on foot betwixt the king and his barons, by the mediation of some bishops; and articles of agreement, 8 in number, were settled betwixt them. By the first, it was stipulated, 'that the earls and barons, concerned in the affair above, should come before  the king in Wesm. hall, and with great humility, on their knees, make their submission, and swear, if he so desired, that what they did and for which they had incurred his displeasure, was not done in despight of him, and they should humbly pray for his forgiveness, and receive it with a good will,' &c. This submission was to be made publicly, at the next parliament. But for all that the king took the death of Gaveston so heavily, that he never forgave the authors of it; and, when he had it in his power, revenged it severely on them.

William Cobbett (1806) Cobbett's Parliamentary History of England. From the Norman Conquest, in 1066 to the Year, 1803, vol. I, London, pp. 56-60.