Edward II born 25 April 1287 (d. 1327)Edward II of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until deposed in January 1327. His tendency to ignore his nobility in favour of low-born favourites led to constant political unrest and his eventual deposition.
Edward lacked the drive and ambition of his overbearing father, who was a notable military leader. His main interest was in entertainment, though he also took pleasure in athletics and mechanical crafts. He had been so dominated by his father that he had little confidence in himself, and was often in the hands of a court favourite with a stronger will than his own.
Edward is perhaps best remembered for his murder - the details of which are unsubstantiated by contemporary accounts - and his 'alleged' homosexuality and relationship with his 'favourite', a Gascon knight named Piers Gaveston. Edward also managed to produce an heir - Edward III - another son and two daughters with his wife, Isabella of France, and even produced an illegitimate son.
Edward II was the first monarch to establish colleges in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge; he founded Cambridge's King's Hall in 1317 and gave Oxford's Oriel College its royal charter in 1326.
The most famous fictional account of Edward II's reign is Christopher Marlowe's play Edward II. Edward has long been regarded as something of a gay martyr, and Derek Jarman's cinematic version of the play utlilised 20th century clothing and gay rights marches as an aspect of the story.