Edward II was the first English prince to bear the title 'Prince of Wales'. He married Isabella, daughter of King Philip IV of France. Evidence indicates that Edward was bisexual. His first close advisor and intimate friend was Piers Gaveston, who was beheaded by the opposing barons at Deddington, Oxon in 1312. In 1314 Edward marched against the Scots and on 24 June of that year his large army was massacred by Robert Bruce at Bannockburn, which resulted in independence for Scotland. Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, the leader of the barons opposing Edward, gained control for a time. Edward found new favorites in the Despensers, and Thomas was overcome in 1321 and subsequently put to death. In 1324 Edward's wife, Isabella, returned to France and conspired with a Welsh Marcher Lord, Roger Mortimer, who became her lover. They assembled followers and in 1327 set sail and landed in Suffolk. Edward was captured and deposed and the Despensers were hanged. Edward was imprisoned at Berkeley Castle, Gloucestershire, and attempts were first made to starve him to death. Then an order was issued by Isabella's followers that he should be killed without a mark being left on his body. At Berkley Castle, on Monday 21 September 1327, he was reputedly disemboweled with a red hot iron rod.
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