In reply, Philip secretly urged the peers to rebel, which they did at last, headed by the Earl of Lancaster, and determined to compel Edward to dismiss his hated secretary of state. Then began a civil war, the most horrible disaster that can overtake any country. Edward, evidently considering discretion the better part of valor, ran away with his wife and his favorite. They got as far as York, but the victorious barons entered that place in triumph, and the two fugitives sailed for Scarborough, leaving the poor young queen alone, although she entreated her husband with tears in her eyes to take her along. Finding herself forsaken, Isabella retired to a remote castle, where she passed her time in visiting the sick and poor, which the following notes, found in the royal household book, prove:-- [[A.D. 1312.]] "October 9. To little Thomeline, the Scotch orphan boy, to whom the queen, being moved to charity by his miseries, gave food and raiment to the amount of six and sixpence." And again: "To the same orphan, on his being sent to London to dwell with Agnes, the wife of Jean, the queen's French organist; for his education, for necessaries bought him, and for curing his maladies, fifty-two shillings and eightpence." While at this castle the queen received a message from her uncle Lancaster assuring her of her safety, and telling her that they were only fighting to get hold of Gaveston. The king, in the meantime, having left his favorite in the strong fortress of Scarborough, proceeded to the midland counties to raise forces for his defence. But the men of England were so indignant at the treatment their young {190}queen had received at the hands of her husband and his unworthy guide, that instead of obeying the orders they received, they rose _en masse_ to storm Gaveston in his shelter. Being destitute of provisions, and knowing that he could not withstand a siege, he surrendered on condition that he was to be safely conducted to the king and allowed to speak with him freely before his trial. [Illustration: 0194] The barons, after solemnly swearing to observe this treaty, lost no time in bringing their prisoner to a sham trial. No mercy tempered their judgment of a man who had ridiculed and defied them, so they beheaded him then and there. Afterwards they enjoyed the extreme satisfaction of ransacking the luckless favorite's baggage, and {191}found many of the crown jewels, a number of precious ornaments that had been presented to the king, and several articles of gold and silver plate from the royal household. When Edward heard of the murder of his friend, he was beside himself with rage and grief, and swore vengeance on the heads of those who had committed the deed. He then joined the queen and went with her to Windsor, where their first child, afterwards Edward III., was born.