Edward II's reign presents the dramatic narrative of a wilful king who faced baronial resistance and suffered military failures in both Scotland and France before losing his throne and his life. At the same time, it is a reign of considerable institutional and ideological interest. This book offers both a concise history and essential primary source materials for students. Featuring a range of translations, some original and others difficult to find, it brings together scattered evidence and allows comparisons to be made between different accounts. Overall, it sheds valuable light on a significant period in English history, during which the position of the king became both stronger, through increased wealth, and weaker, through the greater need for consent and the precedent of the deposition.

Reviews

'The edition is a much needed, accessible collection of sources that will be a mainstay of reading lists for years to come.'
The Medieval Review

Introduction

I Early opposition
II The king's wealth
III Parliament
IV The Scottish war
V The middle years
VI Civil war and the Statute of York, 1322
VII The French war
VIII Tyranny and deposition
IX The death and 'afterlife' of Edward II

Index

Translators and Editors

Wendy R. Childs is Emeritus Professor of Later Medieval History at the University of Leeds
Phillipp R. Schofield is Professor of Medieval History at Aberystwyth University