Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem in the Court of Edward II: The Case of Mathilde of Westminster

The story of Mathilde of Westminster is a fascinating tale of murder, mystery, and mayhem in the court of Edward II. Mathilde was a young woman who was brutally murdered in 1323. Her death sent shockwaves through the English court and led to a massive investigation. The investigation eventually led to the arrest of several suspects, including the king's own cousin, Edmund of Kent.

Mathilde was born in 1304 to John of Westminster, a wealthy merchant, and his wife, Alice. Mathilde was a beautiful and intelligent young woman who was well-educated for her time. She was also a skilled musician and singer.

The Darkening Glass (Mathilde of Westminster Trilogy, Book 3): Murder, mystery and mayhem in the court of Edward II (Mathilde of Westminster Mysteries)

by Robert Asprin

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1880 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	324 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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In 1320, Mathilde was married to John Lestrange, a minor noble. The marriage was not a happy one, and Mathilde soon found herself the victim of her husband's abuse. In 1323, Mathilde left her husband and returned to her parents' home in London.

On the evening of May 1, 1323, Mathilde was brutally murdered in her parents' home. She was stabbed multiple times in the chest and neck. Her body was found the next morning by her mother.

The murder of Mathilde of Westminster sent shockwaves through the English court. Edward II ordered a massive investigation into the crime. The investigation quickly focused on Mathilde's husband, John Lestrange. Lestrange was arrested and charged with murder. However, he was later acquitted of the crime due to lack of evidence.

The investigation into Mathilde's murder eventually led to the arrest of several other suspects, including the king's own cousin, Edmund of Kent. Kent was arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder Mathilde. However, he too was later acquitted of the crime.

The murder of Mathilde of Westminster remains a mystery to this day. No one was ever convicted of the crime, and the identity of the killer remains unknown. However, the case continues to fascinate historians and true crime enthusiasts alike.

The Suspects

Several people were suspected of involvement in the murder of Mathilde of Westminster. The most likely suspect was her husband, John Lestrange. Lestrange had a history of violence and abuse, and he had threatened to kill Mathilde on several occasions. However, he was never convicted of the crime.

Another suspect was the king's cousin, Edmund of Kent. Kent was a powerful nobleman who had a grudge against Mathilde's father. Kent was also accused of having an affair with Mathilde, and some historians believe that he may have killed her out of jealousy.

Other suspects in the case included Mathilde's mother, Alice; her brother, John; and her uncle, William. However, there was no evidence to support these claims, and they were never charged with the crime.

The Investigation

The investigation into the murder of Mathilde of Westminster was one of the most extensive in English history. Edward II ordered a team of royal justices to investigate the crime. The justices interviewed witnesses, collected evidence, and conducted a thorough examination of the crime scene.

The investigation quickly focused on Mathilde's husband, John Lestrange. Lestrange was arrested and charged with murder. However, he was later acquitted of the crime due to lack of evidence.

The investigation eventually led to the arrest of several other suspects, including the king's own cousin, Edmund of Kent. Kent was arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder Mathilde. However, he too was later acquitted of the crime.

The Aftermath

The murder of Mathilde of Westminster had a profound impact on the English court. The crime sent shockwaves through the royal household and led to a loss of confidence in the king.

The murder also led to a number of political changes. Edmund of Kent was stripped of his titles and lands. He was also exiled from England.

The murder of Mathilde of Westminster remains a mystery to this day. No one was ever convicted of the crime, and the identity of the killer remains unknown. However, the case continues to fascinate historians and true crime enthusiasts alike.

The Darkening Glass (Mathilde of Westminster Trilogy, Book 3): Murder, mystery and mayhem in the court of Edward II (Mathilde of Westminster Mysteries)

by Robert Asprin

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1880 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	324 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE