A Monarch A Month - Edward II

Hello all!

Over the course of the next four years I will be stitching Bothy Thread's Kings and Queens at the slow pace of one monarch per month.

This is monarch number ten, Edward II:

Edward II from Kings and Queens by Bothy Threads
Started - 8th October 2019

Finished - 11th October 2019

Total stitching time - 4 hours 30 minutes

I have absolutely no idea why he's in this pose. Perhaps he had too dull a personality to chart differently, but I don't think so. See what you think.

Here's my summary of Edward II's reign. I'm really not happy with it but I think I've done about as much as I can do.

EDWARD II
Preceded by Edward I (father)
Succeeded by Edward III (son)
Lived 1284-1327
Reigned 1307-1327
Married Isabella of France 1308-1327
Fathered 4 legitimate and 1 illegitimate children

Edward became king in 1307 after his father's death. He was the youngest of 16 siblings but the only surviving son.

Edward quickly abandoned his father's 1307 Scottish campaign, but it was his defeat by Robert the Bruce in the 1314 Battle of Bannockburn which more or less marked the end of his Scottish policy.

In 1308 Edward married 12 year old Isabella, King Philip IV of France's daughter. However, Isabella had to compete for Edward's affection with two of his 'close friends', Piers Gaveston and Hugh the Younger.

Gaveston and Hugh, along with Hugh's family, were arrogant, influential and deeply mistrusted by all except Edward. Gaveston was captured in 1312 and executed for treason, whilst the 1321 Despenser War attempted, but failed, to permanently exile the Despensers from England.

Edward's estranged cousin, the Earl of Lancaster, was involved both times so, seeking revenge, Edward had Lancaster executed in 1322.

By 1325 Isabella herself wanted rid of Edward and the Despensers. She was able to secure enough resources and support from her lover, Roger Mortimer, to make this possible by agreeing to betroth her son to Roger's daughter.

Edward fled but was eventually captured. He had no real option other than to abdicate in favour of his son, Edward.

He died in September 1327 and was buried in Gloucester Abbey.

But Edward's reign wasn't all negativity and family feuds; he did try to ensure justice was fair across the land, and continued holding parliaments, thereby involving more than just the nobility in decision making.

He did, of course, have the usual problem with money - taxing too highly, and losing the confidence of people.

So next month, Edward III, the first monarch to become king before the death of the previous one.

Take care,
Rachel x