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. -- .

This book presents key texts relating to the political and broader socio-economic history of the reign of Edward II. Drawing on a wide range of narrative sources, especially the extensive chronicle accounts of the reign, the editors introduce other important material including parliamentary rolls, charters, court records and accounts. Brought together, this gathering of sources allows the reader to navigate this troubled and eventful period in English medieval history. The reign of Edward II is organised chronologically, guiding the reader from the moment of Edward II's accession in 1307 until his removal from office in 1327 and his supposed death in the same year. Thematic chapters throughout address such key themes as royal finances and the state of the early fourteenth-century economy, the role of parliament, and political and military engagement with Scotland. In the Introduction, the editors survey previous historical work directed at Edward II and outline the range of source types available to the historian of the reign. -- .