Royal Sovereignty from Edward to Richard II

Part II: Edward II to the mid-Tudors

Overview-L.M.A. to E.M. England

Edward IINot His Father’s SonPiers GavestonDisaster at BannockburnThomas, Earl of LancasterThe King’s Fall &

Deposition

Edward IIINot His Father’s Son;

Warrior KingTensions, Crisis in France“The Hundred Years War”English Expanse &

Contraction

Richard IIRoyal Minority; Noble

FactionsThe King’s Fall &

Deposition

Warwick Castle, Site of Gaveston’s Prison

Part II (post-Midterm)The 14th Century

Crown-Commonwealth ConflictEnglish Religion, Life, & Death

The 15th CenturyAge of Transition; Books & BurningsInternational RelationsWars in France; Wars in England

The 16th CenturyHenry Tudor’s DynastyHenry VIII: Man & MonarchThe Early English ReformationReformations of Edward VI & Mary

King Henry VIII

Edward II (1284-1327): r. 1307-27

Not His Father’s SonEdward I – Warrior KingEd II – Weak, Apolitical Mind

Piers Gaveston (d. 1312)Royal Favorite; ArrogantHated by the Nobility (upstart)Ordinances of 1311End at Warwick Castle

Disaster at BannockburnJune 23-4, 1314Robert the BruceKeys: Pikes, Pits; Marsh, River

Monument of Robert the Bruce, Bannockburn

Edward IIThomas, Earl of Lancaster

Erstwhile Rival of GavestonMassive Tracts in the NorthWide Influence; Noble Leader1317 – Moderate Opposition1321 – Allies vs. Hugh Despenser1322 – Royal Authority Crushes Noble Insurgents; Earl Beheaded

The King’s Fall & DepositionAbuse of the Nobility; TaxationRoger Mortimer & Q. Isabella1326-7 – Capture, Deposition

Location of SovereigntyRoyal Person or Community

Despenser’s End, 1326

Edward III (1312-77): r. 1327-77Not His Father’s Son

Regency, Mortimer’s End, 1330Warrior King; Aristocratic ValuesPolitical Savvy; Understood LimitsWidely Popular Throughout England

Tensions, Crisis in FranceEnglish Possession of GasconyFrench Royal Succession, 1328

Philip IV; Louis X; Philip V; Charles IVEd.: G-Son of Philip IV, via IsabellaSalic Law vs. Woman Rule/Bloodline

1337-8 – French Attempt on GasconyEdward III’s Retaliation/Claim to Throne

Edward III, National Portrait Gallery

“The Hundred Years War”English Expanse & Contraction

Early Alliances Failed, ’38-9Battle of Sluys, June, 1340

English Naval VictoryEnglish Activity in South, North

The Battle of Crécy, August, ‘46English OutnumberedLongbowmen CrucialAddition of Calais, 1347

The Battle of Poitiers, Sept., ‘56Edward, “Black Prince”

Rapid Decline, 1360s-90sTransitory Nature of English France

Battle of Crécy; Note the Longbowmen

Richard II (1367-1400): r. 1377-99

Royal MinorityUncle, John of Gaunt; FavoritesContinued French War; Taxation

Noble FactionGaunt & Son, Henry of Bolingbroke“Lords Appellant” in 1387/8

Vs. King and Favorites

The King’s Fall & Deposition1390s – Moderate Relations

Increasingly Strong Richard II1399 – Seizure of Gaunt’s Land

Bolingbroke Rallies Wide Support

Parliament Deposes Another King

Richard II’s Death

Great Hall, Kenilworth Castle; John of Gaunt Greatly Expanded the Castle’s Halls, Towers, and Other Structures