Edward II of England

Edward II became King of England in 1307, the fourth son of Edward I who inherited only after his brother Alphonso died. He married Isabella of France in 1308 to ease tensions between the crowns, but his reign was defined by his bond with Piers Gaveston, a favourite whose arrogance enraged the barons. Forced to exile Gaveston repeatedly, Edward recalled him each time until his cousin Thomas of Lancaster had Gaveston executed in 1312. Military failure followed: Robert the Bruce crushed English forces at Bannockburn in 1314, famine spread, and Edward's authority crumbled. The Despenser family fi…