Changes

'''EDWARD II''' (1284-1327), [[king]] of [[England]] (1307-1327) had all the physical attributes of his father 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''' (1284-1327), [[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 year after his succession, his marriage to Isabella, the daughter of [[Philip IV]] of France, brought optimism that peace with France would follow. However Edward gave far more attention to certain favourites than he did to his wife (although she was to bear him four children).

The year after his succession, his marriage to Isabella, the daughter of [[Philip IV]] of [[France]], brought optimism that peace with France would follow. However Edward gave far more attention to certain favourites than he did to his wife (although she was to bear him four children).

*[[Piers Gaveston]] was a boyhood friend of Edward’s – the son of a Gascon knight at his father’s court. On his succession Edward granted him the Earldom of [[Cornwall]] and gave other undeserved favours. His arrogant ways, and unwarranted control of royal patronage, annoyed the nobles who managed to have him exiled in 1309 and 1311. He was finally killed by the king’s opponents in 1312.

*[[Piers Gaveston]] was a boyhood friend of Edward’s – the son of a Gascon knight at his father’s court. On his succession Edward granted him the Earldom of [[Cornwall]] and gave other undeserved favours. His arrogant ways, and unwarranted control of royal patronage, annoyed the nobles who managed to have him exiled in 1309 and 1311. He was finally killed by the king’s opponents in 1312.

{{Nb english monarchs}}

{{Nb english monarchs}}

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