From Raphael Holinshed S the Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, 1587

From Raphael Holinshed’s The Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, 1587

This hard dealing [taking of Hereford’s inheritance] was much misliked of all the nobility and cried out against of the meaner sort. But namely, the Duke of York was therewith sore moved, who before this time had borne things with so patient a mind as he could, though the same touched him very near, as the death of his brother, the Duke of Gloucester; the banishment of his nephew, the said Duke of Hereford; and other more injuries in great number, which for the slippery youth of the king he passed over for the time and did forget as well as he might . . . Hereupon he with the Duke of Aumerle his son went to his house at Langley, rejoicing that nothing had mishappened in the commonwealth through his device or consent. The common bruit ran that the king had set to farm the realm of England . . .

. . . Whereupon he forthwith came down unto them, and beholding that they did their due reverence to him on their knees he took them up and drawing the archbishop aside from the residue talked with him a good while; and as it was reported the archbishop willed him to be of good comfort, for he should be assured not to have any hurt, as touching his person; but he prophecied not as a prelate, but as a Pilate. For was it no hurt (think you) to his person to be spoiled of his royalty, to be deposed from his crown, to be translated from principality to prison, and to fall from honor to horror?

From Christopher Marlowe’s Edward the Second

YOUNG MORTIMER: Thou proud disturber of thy country’s peace, Corrupter of thy king, cause of these broils, Base flatterer, yield! And were it not for shame, Shame and dishonour to a soldier’s name, Upon my weapon’s point here shouldst thou fall, And welter in thy gore.

LANCASTER: Monster of men, That, like the Greekish strumpet, train’d to arms And bloody wars so many valiant knights, Look for no other fortune, wretch, than death! King Edward is not here to buckler thee.

WARWICK: Lancaster, why talk’st thou to the slave? Go, soldiers, take him hence; for, by my sword, His head shall off. Gaveston, short warning Shall serve thy turn.