Edward II

Edward II (1284-1327) ruled as king of England from July 1307–January 1327 and was famously defeated at the battle of Bannockburn in 1314 by Robert the Bruce. Edward II was the only surviving son of Edward I, succeeding his father in 1307. Inheriting a bankrupt treasury, his tendency to be led by favourites brought England close to civil war on many occasions. Edward II is often considered to be one of England’s worst kings. He was famously defeated at the battle of Bannockburn (23 and 24 June 1314) by Robert the Bruce in what was a decisive battle of the Wars of Scottish Independence. Edward is also famous for having been overthrown by his wife, Isabella of France, in favour of his 14-year-old son. Edward abdicated to his son, the future Edward III, in January 1327 – it was the first time this had ever happened in England. Edward II was allegedly murdered at Berkeley Castle on 21 September 1327, but there is evidence to indicate that Edward was not killed at all, but survived for years afterwards, perhaps in Italy