"The gates of the castle were locked at sunset, and the keys brought by the
constable, Sir William Eland, and handed to the queen herself. This knight
was a loyal and gallant gentleman, and regarded Mortimer with no affection,
and when he received the king's commands to assist the barons charged to
arrest him he at once agreed to do so. He was aware of the existence of a
subterranean communication leading from the interior of the castle to the
outer country, and by this, on the night of the 19th of October, 1330, he
led nine resolute knights - the Lords Montague, Suffolk, Stafford, Molins,
and Clinton, with three brothers of the name of Bohun, and Sir John Nevil -
into the heart of the castle. Mortimer was found surrounded by a number of
his friends. On the sudden entry of the knights known to be hostile to
Mortimer his friends drew their swords, and a short but desperate fight
took place. Many were wounded, and Sir Hugh Turpleton and Richard Monmouth
were slain. Mortimer was carried to London, and was tried and condemned by
parliament, and executed for felony and treason. Several of his followers
were executed, and others were attacked in their strongholds and killed;
among these was Sir Roland Somers.

"Queen Isabella was confined in Castle Risings where she still remains a
prisoner. Such, Walter, were the troubles which occurred when King Edward
first took up the reins of power in this realm; and now, let's to supper,
for I can tell you that my walk to Kingston has given me a marvellous
appetite. We have three or four hours' work yet before we go to bed, for
that Milan harness was promised for the morrow, and the repairs are too
delicate for me to entrust it to the men. It is good to assist the law, but
this work of attending as a witness makes a grievous break in the time of a
busy man. It is a pity, Walter, that your mind is so set on soldiering,
for you would have made a marvellous good craftsman. However, I reckon that
after you have seen a few years of fighting in France, and have got some of
your wild blood let out, you will be glad enough to settle down here with