Edward II

Edward II. (1284-1327). This king's greatest misfortune was to be the son of his father, and so to provoke a comparison which was not in his favour. Born in the purple, he was as weak and amiable as his father had been strong and, upon occasion, disagreeable. This weakness was the probable cause of his downfall, as well as his predilection for foreign favourites, which gave a good pretext for discontent to insular prejudice. His unfortunate expedition to Scotland which ended in the defeat at Bannockbum did not add to his popularity, and no doubt it was a real feeling on the part ef the nation that made it easy for Isabella to compass his deposition, though the country had not so strong motives as she had for his death, and was to some extent shocked by its occurrence. One of Edward's best deeds was the founding of Oriel College, Oxford, of which-body his steward, Adam de Brbme, was the first Provost.