Edward II (disambiguation) facts for kids

Edward II of England was the King of England from 1307 to 1327. He was the fourth king from the House of Plantagenet. Edward II was born in 1284 at Caernarfon Castle in Wales, making him the first English prince to be given the title Prince of Wales. His father was Edward I of England, a very strong and famous king.

When Edward II became king, he faced many challenges. He had to deal with powerful nobles who often disagreed with his decisions. He also continued the wars with Scotland that his father had started.

Who Was Edward II of England?

Edward II was the son of King Edward I and Eleanor of Castile. He grew up with a different personality than his strong warrior father. Edward II enjoyed activities like rowing, ditch-digging, and working with craftsmen, which were not typical hobbies for a prince at that time.

He became king when his father died in 1307. Edward II was crowned at Westminster Abbey in 1308. His reign was marked by struggles for power with the English nobles and ongoing conflicts with Scotland.

Early Life and Becoming King

Edward II was born on April 25, 1284. His father, Edward I, was a powerful king who conquered Wales and tried to conquer Scotland. Edward II was the only surviving son of Edward I and Eleanor of Castile. This meant he was the heir to the throne from a young age.

When he was 16, Edward II was made Prince of Wales. This was a new title for the heir to the English throne, and it showed the importance of Wales to the English crown. He learned about ruling by helping his father with some tasks, but he also had his own interests.

Challenges as King

Edward II faced many difficulties during his time as king.

• Disputes with Nobles: Many powerful nobles, like his cousin Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, often disagreed with Edward's choices and his close friends. These disagreements sometimes led to serious conflicts.
• Wars with Scotland: The war with Scotland continued from his father's reign. Edward II tried to defeat the Scottish forces led by Robert the Bruce, but he was not as successful as his father. A major defeat for England happened at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.
• Famine: During his reign, England also suffered from a terrible famine (a time when there was not enough food) called the Great Famine of 1315–1317. This made life very hard for many people and added to the problems the kingdom faced.

Later Years and Legacy

Edward II's reign ended in 1327. His story is a complex part of English history, showing the challenges of ruling a kingdom with powerful nobles and ongoing wars.

Other Uses of the Name Edward II

The name "Edward II" has been used for other people and things too.

• Edward the Martyr: This was another English king who ruled much earlier, from 975 to 978. He was known for his piety and was later seen as a saint.
• Edward II, Count of Bar: A French count who lived in the 14th century, around the same time as Edward II of England.
• Edward II (play): A famous play written in 1592 by Christopher Marlowe. This play tells the story of Edward II of England's life and reign.
  • Edward II (film): A movie made in 1991 based on Marlowe's play.
  • Edward II (ballet): A ballet created in 1995, also inspired by the play.
• GWR 6000 Class 6023 King Edward II: This is the name of a real steam locomotive (train) built in 1930.

See also

• GWR 6000 Class 6023 King Edward II, a 1930-built operational GWR 4-6-0 steam locomotive
• The Life of Edward II of England, 1924 adaptation of the Marlowe play by Bertolt Brecht

Images for kids

• 

  A robot for kids.