Abbot of Bury St.
Edmunds, and of feloniously receiving two silver basins as his share of
the plunder. Being convicted, he claimed the benefit of clergy, and the
Bishop of London, after some delay, was allowed to take possession of him
on the ground that he was a clerk. His life was thus saved and he was
conveyed to the episcopal prison amid general regret, although, as we have
already seen, he was not a universal favourite. "Many said, he is a good
man; others, nay, but he deceiveth the people."(455) He was kept for some
months in honourable confinement at the bishop's manor of Orset, co.
Essex, and early in 1330 was admitted to purgation. Thus encouraged, he
hastened once more to return to the city. He was still popular with a
large body of the citizens, who, on hearing of his approach, flocked to
meet him, his re-entry into the city being made to resemble a triumphal
progress. Both Isabel and her son were seized with alarm; and a writ was
forthwith issued for his arrest.(456) He was, however, forewarned, and
able to make his escape. Little is known of his subsequent career; Stow
places his death in or about 1328, but this must be a mistake. By his will
dated 1332, he left some real estate in the city to the dean and chapter
of St. Paul's Cathedral for the maintenance of a chantry.(457)

(M274)

Mortimer's vengeance was not confined to a few leading citizens.
Lancaster's life was spared, but he was mulcted in a heavy fine. Many of
his associates took refuge in flight. The Earl of Kent, the king's uncle,
was shortly afterwards charged with treason, into which he had been drawn
by the subtlety of Mortimer, and made to pay the penalty with his head.
This, more than anything else, opened the king's eyes to Mortimer's true
character, and at length (Oct., 1339,) he caused him to be privily seized
in the castle of Nottingham.(458) Thence he was carried to London, and
hanged at the Elms in Smithfield.

(M275)

Queen Isabel, who witnessed the seizure of her favourite and whose prayers
to spare the "gentle Mortimer" were of no avail, was made to disgorge much
of the wealth she had acquired during her supremacy, and was put on an
allowance. The rest of her life, a period of nearly thirty years, she
spent in retirement. Before her death(459) she gave the sum of forty
shillings to the Abbess and Minoresses of Aldgate of the Order of St.
Clare, for the purpose of purchasing for themselves two pittances or doles
on the annivers