Right of Answer

England, 1321.

Margaret de Badlesmere’s husband, Barr, rides away to join forces rebelling against King Edward II. He leaves Margaret to govern their home, Leeds Castle in the County of Kent. Before leaving, he insists that during his absence she must admit no one. If she disobeys, he’ll take away their five children.

Queen Isabella appears at the drawbridge demanding accommodation. Margaret, afraid she’ll lose her young family, refuses to admit her. When Isabella threatens to cross the drawbridge, Margaret calls on her archers to repel the invasion. Arrows fly, killing six royal guards.

Margaret has the legal right to deny Isabella entry to Leeds Castle, but King Edward is enraged. He besieges, starves, and bombards the castle. When Barr fails to come to her aid, Margaret is forced to surrender.

In a sham trial, Edward illegally sentences Margaret and her children to imprisonment in the Tower of London, under Isabella’s control. The first known woman imprisoned in the Tower, Margaret fights to protect her children from cold, hunger, and sickness as she plans their escape.

Can she overcome the odds to save her children and regain her liberty? Hilary Llewellyn, Margaret’s 19th great-granddaughter, tells this 700-year-old story.