Historical
and Commemorative Medals
Collection of Benjamin Weiss
EDWARD II DASSIER, Jean: England, 1731, Bronze, 41 mm Edward II (Edward of Caernarvon) (1284-1327) was King of
England from 1307 to 1327. The actual coronation took place in 1308, not in
1307 as is indicated on the medal. Edward II was the fourth son of King
Edward I. He led an army into Scotland in 1314 but was decisively defeated
by Robert I (The Bruce) at Bannockburn. Scotland’s independence was
virtually secured, and Edward was put at the mercy of a group of barons
headed by his cousin Thomas of Lancaster, who had made himself the real
master of England. Edward then aligned himself with Hugh le Despenser and
his son. In 1325 Edward’s estranged queen, Isabella, went as an envoy to
France where she formed an army with her lover, Roger Mortimer, who together
invaded England, executed the Despensers, and forced Edward to abdicate in
favor of his son, Edward III. Edward II was imprisoned at Berkeley Castel
and in 1327 died, presumably murdered by Gournay and John Maltravers, the
event commemorated on the reverse of this medal. (Thompson)
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