The old king, Edward I, has died. In the aftermath of his death, Edward II, his successor, writes a letter to a man named Piers Gaveston. Gaveston, by Edward II’s order, will now be allowed to return to England. Not everyone is happy about this news. Among other powerful men, the Mortimers and the Earl of Lancaster find it unsuitable that the king would end Gaveston’s banishment. Edward II has only one supporter in the matter: the Earl of Kent, his brother. Despite the complaints of various lords, Edward holds fast and refuses to care what they think of the matter. Before leaving the room, the lords vow that they are willing to go to war if Gaveston is allowed to reenter the country.

Gaveston enters the room and is quickly showered with praise, embraces, and titles by Edward. Gaveston is suddenly the lord chamberlain, the Earl of Cromwell, and the royal secretary. Edward swears that he will use all of his powers to protect Gaveston from his foes. The Bishop of Coventry appears and shows great displeasure at seeing Gaveston. It was the Bishop who had ruled on Gaveston’s sentence prior to his exile.