Edward II of Caernavon PLANTAGANET, King of England

Notes:

First Prince of Wales, 1301; Edward reigned from 1307 until 1327 when he was deposed on January 21, 1327 and murdered by a red-hot poker in his bowels. His reign was troubled by extravagances, military disasters in Scotland (notably at Bannockburn in 1314), and the unpopularity of his favorite peers, Gaveston (who died in 1312) and Hugh le Despencer (1262-1326). He was the first Prince of Wales.

Edward Plantaganet II., of Caernarvon, Prince of Wales, ascended to the throne as King Edward II. He was born at Caernarvon Castle, in Wales, on April 25, 1284. By charter dated February 7, 1301 he rescinded a grant of the principality of Wales and the county of Chester. He married, on January 28, 1307/08, Isabella of France, daughter of King Philip IV, the Fair, King of France. She died August 22, 1358. Incapable as a ruler and pleasure loving, he reigned for twenty years, being advised at first by Piers Gaveston, whom the barons disliked and murdered in 1312. In 1314 King Edward II. was defeated by the Scots at the battle of Bannockburn. The Despencers later controlled the government; they too were disliked, and by the Queen Isabella in particular. She returned to her native France, taking her son Edward with her and refused to return while the Despencer family was in power. King Edward's followers deserted him and on January 7, 1327 he was deposed by Parliament. He was later imprisoned at Kenilworth Castle and then at Berkeley Castle, where he was murdered September 21, 1327, and was buried at Gloucester.

Edward married Isabella of France. Isabella was born in 1295 in Paris, France; died on 22 Aug 1358 in Castle Rising, Norfolk, England; was buried in Grey Friar's Church Cemetery, Grey Friars, City of London, Greater London, England. [Group Sheet]