Painting of Edward II

Edward II

Edward II (1284-1327) ruled as king of England from July 1307–January 1327 and was famously defeated at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314 by Robert the Bruce. Edward II was the only surviving son of Edward I, succeeding his father in 1307. Inheriting a bankrupt treasury, his tendency to be led by favourites brought England close to civil war on many occasions. Edward II is often considered to be one of England’s worst kings. He was famously defeated at the battle of Bannockburn (23 and 24 June 1314) by Robert the Bruce in what was a decisive battle of the Wars of Scottish Independence. Edward is also famous for having been overthrown by his wife, Isabella of France, in favour of his 14-year-old son. Edward abdicated to his son, the future Edward III, in January 1327 – it was the first time this had ever happened in England. Edward II was allegedly murdered at Berkeley Castle on 21 September 1327, but there is evidence to indicate that Edward was not killed at all, but survived for years afterwards, perhaps in Italy

Roger Mortimer and Isabella of France shown with their army in a 15th-century illustration. In the background, the body of Edward II’s favourite, Hugh le Despenser, is being quartered (Photo by Bridgeman Images)

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Roger Mortimer: the rebel baron who escaped the Tower to challenge Edward II. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A copy of the Declaration of Arbroath is held by the National Records of Scotland in Edinburgh – the actual letter sent to Pope John XXII is lost (Photo by M.Brodie / Alamy Stock Photo)

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The Declaration of Arbroath: your guide to Scotland's historic document

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BlogMedieval(ish) matters #15: What's lurking in the background of medieval maps? And what did medieval people really know about the wider world?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A statue of Robert the Bruce Statue at Stirling Castle, Scotland. (Dreamstime)

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The battle of Bannockburn: Robert Bruce's fight for freedom

King Edward II

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In profile: King Edward II

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Scotland's cry for liberty: the Declaration of Arbroath. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A rocky relationship: Eleanor of Woodstock with her husband, Reginald II of Guelders. (Photo by Alamy)

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The medieval rebel princesses. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

An illustration of Edward II. (Photo by Culture Club/Getty Images)

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The big debate: was Edward II really murdered?

"The important thing about the battle of Crécy is that Edward was clearly, in my view, using tactics and weapons that had never been seen on a battlefield before," says Richard Barber. (Photo by Leemage/Corbis via Getty Images)

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Books interview: Edward III and the triumph of England. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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A fresh look at Edward III. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A portrait of King Edward III. By using his offspring as pawns in a series of alliances, the king hoped to wield power over a confederation of dependent states bound together by feudal and family ties. (Photo by VCG Wilson/Corbis via Getty Images)

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King Edward III: the family man. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A scene from the Chronique de St Denis depicting the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII of France, 1137. (Photo by Ann Ronan Pictures/Print Collector/Getty Images)

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An A to Z of the Plantagenets. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.