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*Hugh Despenser was a fervent supporter of the king who, with his son, became his close companion after the death of Gaveston. He fought at [[Battle of Bannockburn|Bannockburn]]. Father and son were granted much land and privilege, annoying the [[barons]], who forced him into exile in 1321. He was able to return on the death of Thomas of [[Lancaster]], his enemy, the following year, and was created Earl of [[Winchester]]. He was captured by men loyal to Queen Isabella and executed in 1326; his son a few days later.

*Hugh Despenser was a fervent supporter of the king who, with his son, became his close companion after the death of Gaveston. He fought at [[Battle of Bannockburn|Bannockburn]]. Father and son were granted much land and privilege, annoying the [[barons]], who forced him into exile in 1321. He was able to return on the death of Thomas of [[Lancaster]], his enemy, the following year, and was created Earl of [[Winchester]]. He was captured by men loyal to Queen Isabella and executed in 1326; his son a few days later.

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 [[Bannockburn|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.