Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (2 of 6): England (10 of 12)

Edward II takes the throne in 1307, a young king thrust into a kingdom still mourning his father's death. Almost immediately he reshapes the royal administration, imprisoning the former treasurer Walter de Langton and installing new officials, while also dealing with the ongoing war in Scotland. His close companion, Piers Gaveston, is elevated to the earldom of Cornwall and given the powerful role of chamberlain, sparking whispers of favoritism at court.

The new monarch’s temperament soon reveals a love of revelry and a disdain for the counsel of his barons. He surrounds himself with entertainers, ruffians, and a circle that encourages excess, prompting tensions with the traditional nobility who fear the erosion of good governance. At the Parliament of Northampton, the king’s decision to keep his father's coinage in circulation and to proceed with the burial arrangements underscores the early challenges of his rule, setting the stage for a reign marked by personal indulgence and political strife.