House / Group: Plantagenet
Born / died: 1284-1327
Reign: 1307-1327
The fourth son of Edward I by his first wife Eleanor of Castile,
Edward became heir just after his birth when his elder brother Alfonso died. His father ensured his education in the arts of war and state, but, though Edward's stature was physically impressive, his nature was essentially frivolous. When he took the throne on his father's death, he immediately recalled his mentor (banished by his father), Piers Gaveston, and abandoned his father's campaign in Scotland.
He married Isabella of France (daughter of Philip IV and sister of three French kings). This was not a happy marriage, but they had four children (Edward (III), John of Eltham, Eleanor and Joanna), there was also an illegitimate son, Adam FitzRoy.
Edward spent little time with Isabella and she refused to return after a visit to France, taking a lover, Roger Mortimer of Wigmore. Edward, meanwhile suffered an ignominious defeat by the Scots at Bannockburn. This, combined with continual disagreements with Parliament made Edward very unpopular and when Isabella (and son Edward) and Mortimer returned, he fled London, but was captured, imprisoned and forced to abdicate. Parliament appointed His son Edward as King.
Edward was badly treated in the hope that this would lead to his natural death, but when this did not work he was killed. He was buried in St Peter's Abbey at Gloucester, which became a cathedral, and his son later erected a splendid tomb.
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