Long Live the King: The Mysterious Fate of Edward II

Edward II's murder at Berkeley Castle in 1327 is a famous tale in English history. However, a document discovered in a Montpellier archive suggests that he escaped and lived in Italy for many years after his official funeral. Medieval historian Kathryn Warner explores this alternative narrative in her book "Long Live the King."

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 304 pages
\n Publication date: 22 April 2021
\n Publisher: The History Press Ltd
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One of the most well-known and lurid tales in all of English history is the murder of Edward II at Berkeley Castle in 1327. But is it true? Few people questioned it for over five centuries, but with the discovery in a Montpellier archive of a remarkable document, an alternative narrative has presented itself: that Edward escaped from Berkeley Castle and made his way to an Italian hermitage.

In Long Live the King, medieval historian Kathryn Warner delves into Edward's downfall and forced abdication in 1326/27, the possible role played by his wife Isabella of France, the wide variation in chronicle accounts of his murder at Berkeley Castle, and the fascinating possibility that Edward lived on in Italy for many years after his official funeral was held in Gloucester in December 1327.

Warner argues that Edward's escape from Berkeley Castle is plausible, given the circumstances of his imprisonment and the support he had within the kingdom. She also suggests that Isabella may have played a significant role in his downfall, possibly by encouraging his enemies or by withholding support from him.

The chronicle accounts of Edward's murder at Berkeley Castle vary widely, with some suggesting that he was killed by a group of rebels, while others claim that he was murdered by his own servants. Warner argues that this variation is likely due to the different perspectives of the chroniclers and the political tensions of the time.

Despite the lack of concrete evidence, Warner believes that there is a strong possibility that Edward lived on in Italy for many years after his official funeral. She suggests that he may have been hiding out in a hermitage or monastery, or that he may have been supported by a group of loyal followers.

Overall, Long Live the King provides a fresh perspective on the murder of Edward II and offers a compelling alternative narrative to the traditional story. Warner's detailed research and analysis of the evidence make this book a valuable addition to the field of medieval history.

\n Weight: 358g\n
Dimension: 130 x 198 x 27 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780750993968\n
Edition number: 2 New edition\n