Editing Isabella of France (section)

=== Roger Mortimer, 1325–1326 ===
[[File:Retour d Isabelle de France en Angleterre.jpg|thumb|Isabella landing in England with her son, the future [[Edward III]] in 1326]]

Roger Mortimer was a powerful Marcher lord, married to the wealthy heiress [[Joan de Geneville]], and the father of twelve children. Mortimer had been imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1322 following his capture by Edward during the Despenser wars. Mortimer's uncle, Roger Mortimer de Chirk finally died in prison, but Mortimer managed to escape the Tower in August 1323: making a hole in the stone wall of his cell and then escaping onto the roof, before using rope ladders provided by an accomplice to get down to the [[River Thames]]. He then crossed the river and eventually made it to safety in France.<ref>Weir 2006, p. 153.</ref> Victorian writers suggested that, given later events, Isabella might have helped Mortimer escape. Additionally, some historians continue to argue that their relationship had already begun at this point, although most believe that there is no hard evidence for their having had a substantial relationship before meeting in Paris.<ref>Weir 2006, p. 154; see Mortimer, 2004 pp. 128–9 for the alternative perspective.</ref>

Isabella was reintroduced to Mortimer in Paris by her cousin, [[Joan of Valois, Countess of Hainaut|Joan, Countess of Hainault]], who appears to have approached Isabella suggesting a marital alliance between their two families, marrying Prince Edward to Joan's daughter, [[Philippa of Hainault|Philippa]].<ref>Weir 2006, p. 194.</ref> Mortimer and Isabella may have begun a physical relationship from December 1325 onwards. If so, both Isabella and Mortimer were taking a huge risk in doing so. Female infidelity was a very serious offence in medieval Europe, as shown during the Tour de Nesle Affair. Both of Isabella's former French sisters-in-law had died by 1326 as a result of their imprisonment for charges of adultery,<ref>A point born out by Mortimer, 2004, p. 140.</ref> and their alleged lovers had been brutally executed.<ref name="Weir_P100">Weir 2006, p.100.</ref> As a result, Isabella's motivation has been the subject of discussion by historians. Some believe that there was a strong sexual attraction between the two, that they shared an interest in the [[King Arthur|Arthurian legends]], and that they both enjoyed fine art and high living.<ref>Weir 2006, p. 197.</ref> One historian has described their relationship as one of the "great romances of the Middle Ages" in spite of the fact that they are reputed to have murdered her husband.<ref>Mortimer, 2004, p. 141.</ref> They also shared a common enemy: the regime of Edward II and the Despensers.{{cn|date=August 2023}}

Taking Prince Edward with them, Isabella and Mortimer left the French court in mid-1326 and travelled north to [[William I, Count of Hainaut]]. As Joan had suggested the previous year, Isabella betrothed Prince Edward to Philippa of Hainault, the daughter of the Count, in exchange for a substantial dowry.<ref>Kibler, p. 477.</ref> She then used this money, plus an earlier loan from Charles,<ref>Lord, p. 47.</ref> to raise a mercenary army, scouring [[Duchy of Brabant|Brabant]] for men, which were added to a small force of Hainaut troops.<ref name=WeirP221>Weir 2006, p. 221.</ref> William also provided eight [[men-of-war]] ships and various smaller vessels as part of the marriage arrangements. Although Edward was now fearing an invasion, secrecy remained key, and Isabella convinced William to detain envoys from Edward.<ref name=WeirP221/> Isabella also appears to have made a secret agreement with the Scots for the duration of the forthcoming campaign.<ref>Weir 2006, p. 222.</ref> On 22 September, Isabella, Mortimer and their modest force set sail for England.<ref>Weir 2006, p. 223.</ref>