Introduction

In addition to the trend towards sensationalized, emotionally engaging narratives of Edward's reign observed in previous chapters – epitomized in particular by the increasing consensus concerning the sexual nature of Edward's transgressions, and the increasing romanticization of his relationships with his favourites – numerous vivid, sensational, circumstantial details and anecdotes cluster around accounts of Edward's treatment during and after his deposition. As well as creating an exciting narrative, these details function to elicit sympathy for Edward – resulting in a demonstrable shift in authorial tone around the point of his capture by Isabella and Mortimer's allies, from condemnation of Edward's own actions to condemnation of his deposers and keepers. These details overwhelmingly originate in one text: the extraordinarily, atypically sympathetic account of Geoffrey le Baker's Chronicon. Composed in Latin at some point during the period 1347–1360, and based (le Baker claims) on the eyewitness testimony of his patron, Sir Thomas de la More, the Chronicon is a narrative crafted to inspire sympathy for Edward's suffering. In its presentation of Edward as a proto-martyr, it is very much in step with its political context: at the time le Baker was writing, Edward III was engaged in an attempt to have his father canonized. In its demonization of Adam Orleton, Bishop of Hereford, and of Edward's wife Isabella, the Chronicon also appears to be designed to exonerate de la More (who attended Edward's deposition) and possibly also to clarify the innocence of Edward III himself.