Edward the Second (1284-1327)

Siblings: several siblings, including Alphonso, who died before his birth, and his sisters Elizabeth, Margaret, and Eleanor.

Children: at least five

### Hair Color

One source describes his hair as black like his mother's, while another source describes it as long, fair, wavy, or curly.

### Sexual Orientation

Some sources suggest that he had close relationships with two men, while others state that this does not necessarily mean he identified as homosexual.

### Best Known For

Being the King of England from 1307 to 1327.

## About

Edward II, also known as Edward of Caernarfon, was the King of England from 1307 until he was deposed in January 1327. He was born on April 25, 1284, in Caernarfon, Wales, as the fourth son of Edward I of England. Edward became the heir to the throne following the death of his older brother Alphonso. He accompanied his father on campaigns to pacify Scotland, and in 1307, he was knighted in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Edward succeeded to the throne later that year, following his father's death. Edward II married Isabella of France in 1308, the daughter of the powerful King Philip IV, as part of a long-running effort to resolve the tensions between the English and French crowns. Although he was a man of limited capability, Edward waged a long, hopeless campaign to assert his authority over powerful barons. His reign was marked by conflict with the nobles, until he was eventually overthrown by his wife in favour of his son. Edward II was deposed in January 1327 and was imprisoned in Berkeley Castle, where he died on September 21, 1327.

## Early Life and Education

Edward II was born on April 25, 1284, as the youngest child of Edward I and his first wife Eleanor of Castile. His early life was influenced by his father's reign, who had just conquered Wales. Edward II succeeded his father as the King of England at the age of 23 on July 7, 1307. He married Isabella, the daughter of the reigning king of France, in 1308.

## Career

Edward II's career was marked by his reign as the King of England from 1307 to 1327. He was known for his lack of political and military talents, and his excessive patronage of friends resulted in his kingdom descending into anarchy. He waged a long, hopeless campaign to assert his authority over powerful barons. His reign saw a disastrous defeat to the Scots at Bannockburn in June 1314 CE. He was forced to abdicate by his wife Isabella of France and her lover Roger Mortimer, imprisoned, and then murdered in Berkeley Castle in September 1327 CE.

## Personal life

Edward II married Isabella of France in 1308, who was the daughter of the powerful King Philip IV. The marriage was intended to reduce the tension between France and England. There is also a debate among historians about Edward II's sexuality, with some sources suggesting that he had close relationships with two men, while others argue that medieval attitudes to sexuality were so different from our own that it is impossible to tell what Edward actually did.

## Relationships

Edward II had intensely close relationships with two men, which has led to debate among historians regarding his sexual orientation. One of these men was Piers Gaveston, who was his favourite and with whom he entered into a brotherhood-in-arms. Edward II married Isabella of France in 1308, and they had four children together.

## Controversies

Edward II's reign was marked by controversies, including his lack of political and military talents, his excessive patronage of friends, and his failure to assert his authority over powerful barons. His reign also saw a disastrous defeat to the Scots at Bannockburn in June 1314 CE.

## Filmography

Edward II has been the subject of a few film adaptations. One of them is the 1991 British romantic historical drama film “Edward II” directed by Derek Jarman and starring Steven Waddington, Tilda Swinton, and Andrew Tiernan. The film is based on the play of the same name by Christopher Marlowe and revolves around Edward II's infatuation with Piers Gaveston, which proves to be the downfall of both of them, thanks to the machinations of Roger Mortimer. Another source mentions that Christopher Marlowe's play “Edward II: The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England, with the Tragical Fall of Proud Mortimer” is an intense and swiftly moving account of a king controlled by his basest passions, a weak man who becomes a puppet of his homosexual lover, and pays a tragic price for forsaking the governance of his country.

## Quotes

There are a few quotes related to Edward II in the search results. One source provides a quote from Christopher Marlowe's play “Edward II: The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England, with the Tragical Fall of Proud Mortimer”: “an intense and swiftly moving account of a king controlled by his basest passions, a weak man who becomes a puppet of his homosexual lover, and pays a tragic price for forsaking the governance of his country”. Another source provides a quote from the same play: “I must have wanton Poets, pleasant wits, Musitians, that with touching of a string May draw the pliant king which way I please: Musicke and poetrie is his delight, Therefore ile have Italian maskes by night”. A third source provides a quote from the same play: “These are not men for me; I must have wanton poets, pleasant wits, Musicians, that with touching of a string May draw the pliant King which way I please”.

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