Edward II, King of England,

b. 1284, Caernarvon; d. 1327

The first of the English crown princes to bear the title of Prince of Wales. He succeeded his father, Edward I, in July 1307, and disobeyed his last command to continue the war with Scotland. He married Isabella of France in 1308. Weak, effeminate, and incapable, his reign is one long record of struggle with the barons. His favouritism towards Piers Gaveston was unpopular, and the honours showered upon the favourite were to cost Gaveston his life. The barons forming a committee in 1310, drew up the Ordinances which Edward was forced to accept in 1311. For some years Edward was little more than a nominal ruler, the total defeat of the English army at Bannockburn in 1314 giving the Lancastrian party the opportunity to seize power more firmly; but the Scots followed up their victory by capturing Berwick and achieving virtual independence.

After the death of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, the leader of the barons, in 1322, Edward regained control of affairs in England, ruling as incompetently and extravagantly as before. In 1326 Isabella, who had gone to France with her son, Edward, returned, landed at Orwell and marched against the King. The Despensers, the favourites of the moment were captured and executed, and the King was deposed. In 1327 he was brutally murdered in Berkeley Castle.

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