Edward II: The Unconventional King - Plot & Excerpts
At a council meeting at Clarendon in early 1317, they openly attacked him, calling him a traitor.1 Lancaster sent messengers to the king, claiming that ‘he fears [their] deadly stratagems’ and complaining that ‘they have already carried off the earl’s wife to his disgrace and shame’.2 Lancaster asked Edward to expel the earl of Surrey, Damory, Audley and Montacute from court, and demanded ‘such satisfaction as he can get for the wrong done to him’.3 He wrote to Edward to complain that his companions were ‘not suitable to stay beside you or in your service … but you have held them dearer than they ever were before … every day you give them of your substance, so that little or nothing remains to you’.4 Pope John XXII was also concerned about his extravagance and ability to pick the wrong friends, and wrote to the king frequently in 1317 and 1318 suggesting that he reduce his household expenses, hear divine offices with attention and reverence, and ‘remove those friends whose youth and imprudence injure the affairs of the realm’.5 Edward, as usual, ignored this sound advice, and responded to Lancaster, abruptly and impatiently, ‘I will avenge the despite done to the earl when I can; I refuse to expel my household; for the abduction of his wife let him seek a remedy in law only.’6 Damory, Audley and Montacute had no intention of allowing Lancaster to diminish their vast influence over Edward, and selfishly counselled the king to remain hostile to his cousin.
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