Edward II., of Caernarvon.
D. He was the son of Edward I. B. at Caernarvon, 1284. M. Isabella, daughter of Philip IV. of France. Deposed, Jan. 20, 1327. Murdered in Berkeley Castle, Sept., 1327. R. 19½ years (1307 to 1327).
1308. The nobles compelled the king to banish his favourite, Piers Gaveston.
1309. Having succeeded in mitigating the hostility of the barons, he recalled his favourite, who had been governor of Ireland during his absence from England.
1310. A parliament, assembled at Westminster, obtained the king’s reluctant consent to the appointment of a committee of peers called ordainers, who were to draw up ordinances for the reformation of the state, and the regulation of the king’s household.
1311. The ordinances were drawn up and accepted by the king.
Among the ordinances were the following:—that Gaveston should be banished for ever;—that the new taxes on wool, cloth, and wine should be abolished;—that the king should not leave the kingdom, nor undertake war, without the consent of the baronage in Parliament;—that all the great officers of the crown should be chosen with their assent;—and that parliaments should be held once a year, or twice if need be.
1312. Gaveston, who had retired to Flanders, returned. He was seized and executed on Blacklow Hill, near Warwick. Suppression of the order of Knights Templars.
1314. Edward invaded Scotland. Bruce gained a splendid victory at BANNOCKBURN (June 24). Independence of Scotland re-established.