Edward II of England

Edward II, (April 25, 1284 – September 21, 1327), of Caernarvon, was king of England from 1307 until deposed in January, 1327. His tendency to ignore his nobility, in favour of low-born favourites, led to constant political unrest and eventually to his deposition. He is today perhaps best remembered for the brutal method of his alleged murder, which was linked to his homosexuality.

Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall

Gaveston received the earldom of Cornwall with the hand of the king's niece, Margaret of Gloucester. The barons grew resentful of Gaveston and twice insisted on his banishment. On each occasion Edward recalled his friend, whereupon the barons, headed by the king's cousin Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, went to war against king and favourite and in 1312 assassinated Gaveston. Edward was not strong enough to avenge his loss.

Related Topics:
Cornwall - Thomas, Earl of Lancaster - 1312

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He stood aside, allowing the country to come under the rule of a baronial committee of twenty-one lords ordainers, who, in 1311, had drawn up a series of ordinances, which substituted ordainers for the king as the effective government of the country. Parliament meant to the new rulers an assembly of barons just as it had done to the opponents of Edward's grandfather, Henry III, in 1258. The Commons were excluded. The effect was to transform England from a monarchy to a narrow oligarchy.

Related Topics:
1311 - Parliament - Henry III - 1258 - Monarchy - Oligarchy

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~