Edward II
Subtitle: the terrors of kingship
Series: Penguin monarchs
Publisher: Allen Lane, an imprint of Penguin Books; Allen Lane; imusti
Published: 2016
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 127
ISBN-13: 9780141977966
Description: The reign of Edward II was a succession of disasters. Unkingly, inept in war, and in thrall to favorites, he preferred digging ditches and rowing boats to the tedium of government. His infatuation with a young Gascon nobleman, Piers Gaveston, alienated even the most natural supporters of the crown. Hoping to lay the ghost of his soldierly father, Edward I, he invaded Scotland and suffered catastrophic defeat at the Battle of Bannockburn. After 20 ruinous years, betrayed and abandoned by most of his nobles and by his wife and her lover, Edward was imprisoned in Berkeley Castle and murdered -- the first English king since the Norman Conquest to be deposed. Christopher Given-Wilson's remarkable and hugely enjoyable book gives a glimpse into the abyss: the terrors of kingship. When royal authority is based around strict succession by the eldest son, what happens when that eldest son is incapable of fulfilling his role? - Jacket flap.

The reign of Edward II (1307-27) was a series of total disasters, making him unsuccessful to an extent almost without equal. He failed to be kingly, preferring ditching and cart-racing to jousting and falconry. His reign was convulsed by rebellion and attempts to reform the king's behavior. In an attempt to throw off the specter of his regal father, Edward I, he invaded Scotland and suffered catastrophic defeat. After 20 ruinous years, betrayed and abandoned by most of his nobles and by his wife and her lover, Edward was imprisoned in Berkeley Castle where he was murdered. Christopher Given-Wilson's remarkable book gives a glimpse into the abyss: the terrors of kingship. - Amazon.com
Table of contents: title: 'My brother Piers'; title: King Hobbe and Cousin Thomas; title: 'The King's right eye'; title: 'Make it your business that we become rich'; title: Imagining Edward; title: Notes; title: Further reading