Did Edward II Die?
The question is of course anachronistic; considering that he was born in 1284, ascended the throne in 1307, and was deposed and imprisoned in 1327, I think we can assume that old Ed is well and truly dead. But when did he die? After he was deposed by his wife Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer and Isabella's and Edward's son Edward III placed on the throne as a puppet for Mortimer, Edward was imprisoned, and reported dead by the end of the year - rumour having it that he was murdered. However, rumour persists that he survived. So, which is right? A note on the deaths of Edward II Introduction There is no doubt that Edward II was a controversial monarch. In character and deed he was a disappointment to many of his contemporaries, not just his father. He ‘loved’ Piers Gaveston more dearly than most kings were expected to 'love' their subjects, and even adopted him as his brother. He was accused of sodomy by his political enemies in 1326 and has been portrayed ...