Marlowe's reputation was still damaged by Thomas Beard's libel in The Theatre of God's Judgement, published in 1597. Characters Edward II Prince Edward Kent, (half-)brother to King Edward the Second Gaveston Archbishop of Canterbury Bishop of Coventry Bishop of Winchester Warwick Lancaster Pembroke Arundel Leicester Berkeley Mortimer the Elder Mortimer the Younger, his nephew Spenser the Elder Spenser the Younger Baldock Baumont Trussel (Thomas) Gurney Matrevis Lightborn Sir John of Hainault Levune Rice ap Howel Abbot of Neath James Horse Boy The Herald The Champion Post Mayor of Bristow Monks Lords, Poor Men, James, Mower, Champion, Messengers, Soldiers, and Attendants Queen Isabella, wife to King Edward the Second Lady Margaret de Clare, Niece to King Edward Ladies Synopsis The play telescopes most of Edward II's reign into a single narrative, beginning with the recall of his favourite, Piers Gaveston, from exile, and ending with his son, Edward III, executing Mortimer Junior for the king's murder. Marlowe's play opens at the outset of the reign, with Edward's exiled favourite, Piers Gaveston, rejoicing at the recent death of Edward I and his own resulting ability to return to England. In the following passage he plans the entertainments with which he will delight the king: Upon Gaveston's re-entry into the country, Edward gives him titles, access to the royal treasury, and the option of having guards protect him. Although Gaveston himself is not of noble birth, he maintains that he is better than common people and craves pleasing shows, Italian masques, music and poetry. However, as much as Gaveston pleases the king he finds scant favour from the king's nobles, who are soon clamouring for Gaveston's exile. Almost as soon as he arrives, Gaveston and Edward's court begin to quarrel. Edward is forced to agree to this and banishes Gaveston to Ireland. Isabella of France, the Queen, who still hopes for his favour, persuades Mortimer, who later becomes her lover, to argue for his recall, though only so that he may be more conveniently murdered. The nobles accordingly soon find an excuse to turn on Gaveston again, and eventually capture and execute him. Before executing Gaveston, Edward requests to see Gaveston one more time. Arundel and Pembroke agree to Edward's request. However, Warwick attacks and kills Gaveston while he is being taken to Edward. Edward in turn executes two of the nobles who persecuted Gaveston, Warwick and Lancaster. Edward then seeks comfort in