The Continuator of Florence of Worcester records the birth "die S Marci Evangelistæ" 25 Apr [1284] at Caernarvon of "domini regi Angliæ filius…Eadwardus". He succeeded his mother in 1290 as Comte de Ponthieu et de Montreuil. Created Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester 7 Feb 1301. Created Duke of Aquitaine in May 1306.
He succeeded his father in 1307 as EDWARD II King of England. Crowned in Westminster Abbey 24/25 Feb 1308. The barons, weakened by the strong rule of Edward's father, took the opportunity to regain their position under the new king of weaker character. A crisis was triggered immediately after his accession due to the unpopularity of his favourite Piers Gaveston. Edward was obliged to accept a committee of Lords Ordainers to control his excesses, remove his own advisers and impose reforms. Gaveston was captured, tried and beheaded near Warwick 19 Jun 1312. Edward's first cousin Thomas Earl of Lancaster led the discontented barons, but lacked the ability to push through the reforms which were needed. Political confusion increased, but the various baronial factions found common cause in opposition to the king's new favourite Hugh Despenser the younger. The Earl of Lancaster, by now in open rebellion, was captured and beheaded at his castle in Pontefract. The other rebellious barons were defeated at Boroughbridge in 1322. But Edward lacked the leadership to push his advantage. Matters came to a head with the queen's affair with Roger Mortimer of Wigmore. The couple attracted baronial support to overthrow the king, who fled to Wales Oct 1326. His son Edward was appointed "Keeper of the Realm" by an extraordinary council at Bristol 26 Oct 1326. He was deposed 20 Jan 1327 by a Parliament convened without his authority, and he formally abdicated in favour of his son 25 Jan 1327.
The Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbrook records in graphic detail the king´s privations while imprisoned and the brutality of his murder.
Betrothed (papal dispensation 16 Nov 1289, Birgham Jul 1290) to Margaret Queen of Scotland "the Maid of Norway", daughter of Erik II King of Norway and his wife Margaret of Scotland... The dispensation for the marriage of “Edwardo nato...Edvardi regis Angliæ” and “Margareta nata...Erici Norwegiæ regis, neptis...regis Scotiæ”, dated 16 Nov 1289, records the 3rd degree consanguinity between the parties. The Chronicle of John of Fordun (Continuator - Annals) records the betrothal between "Edward I king of England…Edward his son and heir" and "Margaret the daughter of the king of Norway…the true heiress of Scotland" in 1290. This betrothal was agreed under the Treaty of Birgham in Jul 1290 which confirmed that Scotland would retain its independence after the marriage took place. The Continuator of Florence of Worcester confirms the betrothal of "Margareta filia Irici regis Norwegiæ…" and "Eadwardo regis Eadwardi filio" when recording her death.
Betrothed (31 Jul 1291) to Blanche de France, daughter of Philippe III "le Hardi" King of France and his second wife Marie de Brabant.
Betrothed (contract 7 Jan 1297) to Philippine de Flandre, daughter of Guy Count of Flanders and his second wife Isabelle de Luxembourg Countess of Namur. The Annals of Worcester record the betrothal of “Edwardum filium regis” and “filiam comitis Flandriæ” as part of the treaty agreed between England and Flanders “die Purificationis beatæ Mariæ” (2 Feb) in 1296. The Chronique Normande names "Philippe" as the daughter of "conte en Flandres…Guy de Dampierre" by his second wife "fille au conte de Luxembourg", adding that she was betrothed to "le roy d´Angleterre…Edouart son filz". The marriage contract between “Edward...Edward nostre...fiuz” and “Guy conte de Flandres et marchis de Namur...Phelippe fille au dit conte” is dated 7 Jan 1296 (O.S.). This betrothal was also abandoned. 1
Edward was generally known as "Edward of Caernarvon."