Edward II, called Edward of Caernarvon 1284-1327
King of England

Born in Caernarvon, Wales, the son of Edward I and Eleanor of Castile, he was created the first Prince of Wales in 1301. On his father's death (1307) he abandoned Edward I's plans to subdue the Scots and went to France (1308) to marry Isabella, daughter of Philip IV, leaving his foreign favourite, Piers Gaveston, Guardian of the Kingdom. Not an energetic ruler, Edward antagonized the barons, who wanted to regain their place in government and rid the country of such royal favourites. Edward invaded Scotland (1314), but was decisively defeated by Robert de Bruce at Bannockburn (1314). Bruce went on to capture Berwick (1318) and undid virtually every trace of the conquest of Edward I. Risings in Wales and Ireland followed, and two seasons of unprecedented famine and pestilence. Edward's authority was challenged by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, but with the aid of his new favourites, Hugh Despenser and his son, Edward, he overthrew Lancaster (1321), and put him to death (1322). He made a truce with Scotland for 13 years in 1323, but then Charles IV of France, brother of his wife, Isabella, seized Edward's French territories. Edward sent Isabella to negotiate with Charles, but she despised her husband, hated the Despensers, and had fallen in love with Roger de Mortimer, one of the disaffected nobles. In 1326 she landed with a large body of malcontents on the coast of Suffolk. The Despensers were executed, and Edward was imprisoned in Kenilworth Castle and forced to abdicate (1327) in favour of his eldest son (Edward III). He was murdered at Berkeley Castle.

Bibliography: Hilda Johnstone, Edward of Caernarvon (1946)