The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England

Edward II was considered ill-suited to kingship, favoring frivolous pursuits over serious leadership and prone to destructive favoritism. In particular, he had an intensely personal relationship with Gaveston, promoting him to enormous status and power, to the expected candidates’ shock.

At Edward’s coronation (1308), his oaths included acknowledgment of the growing role of the political community, but he also centered Gaveston inappropriately. Armed insurrection loomed. The barons demanded Gaveston’s exile and an acknowledgment of separation between the king’s person and his office.

In 1309, Edward offered a reform program to sweeten Gaveston’s return. Gaveston’s presence and behavior rankled the barons. Financial demands were not matched by results in Scotland. Edward was accused of impoverishing the Crown and burdening the people, eroding the Magna Carta. A parliament demanded the creation of a reforming panel, the Ordainers.