Edward II

The body of Edward I was brought south to Westminster Abbey and entombed there on October 27th. He had reigned for thirty- five years and was therefore the only king most of the population would have known.

‘Oh we gather here today to bid farewell to dear King Edward Longshanks!

For his long and illustrious reign we all offer to God, great thanks!’

There would have been little mourning in Scotland and Wales, but many in England were sorry at his demise. Edward’s funeral must have been a grand affair, as such befits so powerful a monarch. The solemnities concluded, it was time to take stock of the new king, Edward II. What kind of a man, he?

The seal of Edward II

Observers commented upon his remarkable physical resemblance to his father, the late Edward. Like his father, his appearance was supremely regal.  However, all were agreed that in terms of character, Edward the younger was most certainly not a chip off of the old block. Unlike his father he showed little inclination for the princely pastimes of jousting tournaments or hunting. Many were somewhat disturbed by Edward’s interest in what they considered ‘un-kingly’ pursuits. These activities included the thatching of roofs, rowing and spending time in the company of musicians and other entertainers.

Edward, the early years.

Edward was born at Caernarfon on April 24th 1284. In common with his great-grandfather, King John, he was the youngest child and would not normally ever expect to become king. However, his four older brothers had died young, leaving him as heir to the throne when only a baby. It must have been a somewhat lonely childhood, as his mother died when he was six and his sisters had flown the royal nest in order to marry. As a boy, he was with his father’s full approval granted an almost official  companion, Piers Gaveston.

‘Piers was to take first place to Edward amongst his peers!’

Perhaps King Edward allowed this, because he thought that this would alleviate his son’s loneliness in a household devoid of siblings. Edward I, had he known, would have been mortified that this decision regarding his son’s upbringing would ultimately serve to topple Edward from his throne.

‘Edward I travelled north to hammer the Scots despite being sick and old!

His son, when he became king would not act in a manner so brave and bold!’

When he died in July 1307, King Edward I had undoubtedly wished for his son to continue with the military campaign in Scotland. However, the new king decided to abandon his father’s war with the Scots, and this decision was the beginning of the end of English rule in Scotland.

Shortly before his death, Edward I having concluded that Gaveston was a bad influence on the Prince of Wales, had exiled him from the realm. One of the young king’s first royal acts was to call his friend back to court.

The coat of arms of Piers Gaveston.

It appeared that the young king was more interested in enjoying the company of Gaveston than he was in enforcing English rule in Scotland. Many saw Edward’s act of recalling Gaveston, as one made with indecent haste, and something of an insult to the memory of the late king. However, Edward went one step further, indeed too far. In January 1308,  Edward journeyed to France to finalise his marital arrangements to the French king Philip IVs ‘daughter, the twelve year old Isabella. The couple were married in Boulogne in January 1308.

The French royal family with Isabella third from left.

Whilst away, Edward left Gaveston in charge of the realm as regent. This decision infuriated much of the nobility, who regarded Gaveston as an arrogant, irresponsible upstart. When Edward returned to England laden with sumptuous wedding presents from the French royal family and nobility, he promptly gifted them to Gaveston.

The coronation of Edward II.

The coronation ceremony, which took place on February 25th 1308, was a truly shameful affair and one not witnessed before or since. The assembled dignitaries were outraged to see Gaveston carrying the crown which was to adorn Edward’s head for the first time. Worse was to come at the coronation banquet, which had been organised by Gaveston. There, the guests, anticipating a meal of an exquisite standard, were presented with dishes of uncommonly poor quality and which were rather sloppily served.

Gaveston made a show of himself, swanning around the banqueting hall attired in a costume of purple, as if to imply superiority to the nobility who were clad in garments of gold. He angered the guests by grinning at them in a supercilious manner, and making insulting remarks about them to their faces.

Given the occasion, the king would have normally been seated with his Queen at one side of him. This was not to be, but then again, Edward was anything but normal. Much to the indignation of the French royals, Edward blatantly ignored Isabella, and spent his time and supping and making merry with Gaveston.

‘He will not sit with his Queen, the young Isabella.

He spends the whole time cavorting with that Gaveston fella.’

Queen Isabella’s relatives registered their disgust by cutting short their stay in London and returning to France.

An inauspicious beginning to the reign, but would Edward yet prove himself to be an able king? As Shakespeare wrote of Edward’s direct descendent, Henry V:

‘The courses of his youth, promised it not.’

Quite.