EditEdward II
Born 25th. April, 1284, in Caernarvon, Wales; died 1327.
First English Prince of Wales, then a Plantagenet king of England.
In order to provide the prince with a role model of courteous martial behaviour, Edward I introduced a young Gascon, Piers Gaveston, into his son's court in 1300. However, Gaveston was to become Edward II's lover and a focal point of the baronial discontent that was to last throughout his reign, ending in Edward II's deposition and murder in 1327.
Gaveston was exiled three times because of baronial discontent with favours bestowed on him by the Edward. After returning from the third exile Gaveston was hunted down and executed by the barons.
Around 1320 Hugh l Despenser the younger emerged as a king's favourite, but there is less evidence of a sexual relationship between them.
A modernised rendition of Edward II's life is portrayed in Derek Jarman's film, Edward II, adapted from Christopher Marlowe's play Edward II.
Edward II was listed at number 192 in the top 500 lesbian and gay heroes in The Pink Paper, 10th. October, 1997, issue 502, page 15.