Edward II succeeded to the English throne at the age of 23, when his father, the warrior king Edward I, died in battle.English Monarchs: Edward I Unpopular with the nobles, he was deposed in 1327 and probably murdered shortly afterward.English Monarchs: Edward II Plantagenet

Edward II's reign was marked by military setbacks and acrimonious relations with the aristocracy and his own wife. It is considered by many to be among the least successful monarchy in English history.BBC: Royally Bad Rulers (July 15, 2008)

The royal tradition of establishing colleges at Oxford and Cambridge began with Edward II, who founded Oriel College and King's College.Edward II: Edward and Oxbridge

1. Had a lion as a petEdward II: Five Funny Facts about Edward II
2. Camped out sometimes in a hut near Westminster PalaceEdward II: Seven Random Facts about Edward II
3. Sailed a barge along the ThamesEdward II: Seven Random Facts about Edward II

Edward's wife Isabella, working from France with her lover Roger Mortimer, helped to depose him.University of Wisconsin: The Fall of Edward II Edward III became king, and, because he was only 14, Mortimer served as regent. One of Edward IIII's first acts upon coming of age was to execute Mortimer and banish his mother from court.BBC: Edward III

"I greatly lament that I have utterly failed my people; but I could not be other than I am."-- Attributed to Edward II after his deposition, 1327.Edward II Blog: Quotation (August 5, 2008)

• Amazon.com: Edward II Books

• Amazon.com: King Edward II: Edward of Caernarfon His Life, His Reign, and His Aftermath