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'''Edward II''' (1284-1327), [[king]] of [[England]] (1307-1327) had all the physical attributes of his father [[Edward I]] but few of the mental and emotional requirements for kingship. He was good-looking and athletic, and seemingly intelligent, however his sporting skills did not extend to the [[knight]]ly arts; and his cultural pursuits were for his own entertainment rather than any endowment to the realm.

'''Edward II''' (1284 - 21st September 1327), [[king]] of [[England]] (1307-1327) had all the physical attributes of his father [[Edward I]] but few of the mental and emotional requirements for kingship. He was good-looking and athletic, and seemingly intelligent, however his sporting skills did not extend to the [[knight]]ly arts; and his cultural pursuits were for his own entertainment rather than any endowment to the realm.

[[Edward I]] had had a sense of duty and a belief in the necessity of good governance and the importance of the feudal system. His son showed more interest in a series of favourites (and a strange interest in the work of artisans and craftsmen) than the interests of the realm. This (whether homosexually inspired or not) and his complete lack of political nous were to lead to his downfall. The state of the realm at his succession was no help. Huge debts and the unfinished war in Scotland needed proper attention.  

[[Edward I]] had had a sense of duty and a belief in the necessity of good governance and the importance of the feudal system. His son showed more interest in a series of favourites (and a strange interest in the work of artisans and craftsmen) than the interests of the realm. This (whether homosexually inspired or not) and his complete lack of political nous were to lead to his downfall. The state of the realm at his succession was no help. Huge debts and the unfinished war in Scotland needed proper attention.  

The political turmoil brought on by Gaveston and his death had allowed the situation in Scotland to deteriorate. In 1306 [[Robert the Bruce]], Earl of Carrick (who had earlier supported then turned against [[William Wallace]]), had had himself crowned King of the Scots. He and his followers were defeated by the English and he was forced into hiding; but the death of Edward and the subsequent ineptitude of Edward II had allowed him to regain and then consolidate his power. He still had control of only parts of Scotland though. In 1312-4 Robert made use of English disunity to attempt the takeover of more of Scotland. In 1314 he besieged [[Stirling Castle]]. A major English force, led by Edward, marching to relieve the castle, was resoundingly defeated at the [[Battle of Bannockburn]].

The political turmoil brought on by Gaveston and his death had allowed the situation in Scotland to deteriorate. In 1306 [[Robert the Bruce]], Earl of Carrick (who had earlier supported then turned against [[William Wallace]]), had had himself crowned King of the Scots. He and his followers were defeated by the English and he was forced into hiding; but the death of Edward and the subsequent ineptitude of Edward II had allowed him to regain and then consolidate his power. He still had control of only parts of Scotland though. In 1312-4 Robert made use of English disunity to attempt the takeover of more of Scotland. In 1314 he besieged [[Stirling Castle]]. A major English force, led by Edward, marching to relieve the castle, was resoundingly defeated at the [[Battle of Bannockburn]].

In 1324 hostilities broke out in France. Edward sent his Queen and his eldest son to [[Paris]] to negotiate with the French Isabella took the opportunity to gain support to raise an army to invade England. She also took a lover, [[Roger Mortimer]], one of Edward's alienated  barons. In 1226 she landed in England to receive immediate support from many of the barons, and the city of [[London]]. Edward was captured in [[Wales]], and formally deposed by [[Parliament]] in  January 1327.  He died, almost certainly murdered, in [[Berkeley Castle]] in September 1327.

In 1324 hostilities broke out in France. Edward sent his Queen and his eldest son to [[Paris]] to negotiate with the French Isabella took the opportunity to gain support to raise an army to invade England. She also took a lover, [[Roger Mortimer]], one of Edward's alienated  barons. In 1226 she landed in England to receive immediate support from many of the barons, and the city of [[London]]. Edward was captured in [[Wales]], and formally deposed by [[Parliament]] in  January 1327.  He died, almost certainly murdered, in [[Berkeley Castle]] in September 1327. It is speculated whether he was actually helped to escape in 1327, this is because of the Fieschi Letter.

Isabelle and Mortimer took the reins of power, ostensibly in the name of the fourteen year-old [[Edward III]].

Isabelle and Mortimer took the reins of power, ostensibly in the name of the fourteen year-old [[Edward III]].