Micheal Jecks and the Templar mysteries

In chronological order the books cover the period from the dissolution of the Templars (Sir Baldwin still runs the risk of being burned as a heretic should his past affiliation be discovered) and are now in the lead up to Queen Isabella's establishment of the regency and placing her thirteen year old son on the throne of England.

These books are following strict historical chronology, and are exceptionally well researched. As the history behind them is well known, the fun of the books is in each book's mystery and watching the steady progression of the characters.

The story of Edward and Isabella can be viewed in a series of bookplates

"Marriage of Edward II and Isabella of France" by English School

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Isabella was young even for a bride at that time, being only eleven when she was sent to her husband.

She was outraged even at that early age to find her jewels had been taken from her and given to Edward's first favourite, Piers Gaveston, who wore them at the wedding.

The Scottish Army Led by King Robert de Bruce VIII Defeat the Invading English Army of Edward II
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Piers Gaveston was seized and executed by the barons for his corruption but Edward II took a new favourite, Hugh le Despenser, who proved worse.

On his disastrous invasion of Scotland, Edward was soundly defeated. He fled with Despenser leaving Queen Isabella and her ladies at the mercy of the Scots. Facing torture, Isabella escaped by sea in a dangerous voyage where two of her ladies were killed.

"Isabella Queen of Edward II Flees to France and is Received by Charles le Bel" by Ronjat

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Queen Isabella used the debacle of Edward's lands in France as an excuse to arrange a diplomatic mission to her brother, ostensibly to get the lands back. Once there she refused to return unless Hugh Le Despenser was exiled.

When her husband refused, she raised an army and with Roger Mortimer she invaded. Edward was never a great general and was soundly defeated.

Sir William Trufsell and Other Deputies Receiving the Resignation of Edward II
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Edward II was deposed and imprisoned. He is widely believed to have been murdered in prison by means of a red hot poker.

His son, Edward III took the throne under his mother's regency. He became widely reknowned as one of England's strongest monarchs.

Executions - the fate of the favourites
For an idea of how popular Edward's favourite's were with the common people, in a time when creating book pages involved days of painstaking work, both their executions were recorded for posterity.

"Piers Gaveston the Favourite of King Edward II is Beheaded" by James Doyle
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Sir Hugh Despenser
Supporter of Edward II
Attempted to Enlist Common People
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My Bio

Aviation, IT, History, Gaming, I'm interested in just about anything! I made the Squidoo Top 100 Club in June 2009. My first novel, "Fire Season", is now out, and I have a new title, "The Docks", out in Nov 2011.

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