1 The Reputation of Edward II, 1305–1697: A Literary Transformation of History Kit Heyam 2 Contents The Reputation of Edward II, 1305–1697: A Literary Transformation of History ...... 1 Contents ....................................................................................................................... 2 Cover blurb .................................................................................................................. 4 Keywords ..................................................................................................................... 5 Author details............................................................................................................... 5 Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................... 5 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 7 Abstract .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Keywords ................................................................................................................................................. 7 Life of an ‘unfortunate king’ ................................................................................................................. 9 Writing Edward II’s narrative ............................................................................................................. 11 Reading Edward II’s narrative ............................................................................................................ 12 Structure ................................................................................................................................................. 22 Chapter 1 – Riot, Sodomy, and Minions: The Ambiguous Discourse of Sexual Transgression ............................................................................................................ 30 Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. 30 Keywords ............................................................................................................................................... 30 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 30 Riot.......................................................................................................................................................... 31 Sodomy ................................................................................................................................................... 33 Minions ................................................................................................................................................... 44 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 51 Chapter 2 – From Goats to Ganymedes: The Development of Edward II’s Sexual Reputation ................................................................................................................. 60 Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. 60 Keywords ............................................................................................................................................... 60 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 60 Lechery and goats ................................................................................................................................. 61 Sexualized stock phrases ...................................................................................................................... 65 Ganymede .............................................................................................................................................. 70 The role of Marlowe ............................................................................................................................. 71 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 80 Chapter 3 – Edward II and Piers Gaveston: Brothers, Friends, Lovers ................... 89 3 Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. 89 Keywords ............................................................................................................................................... 89 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 89 Brotherhood and friendship ................................................................................................................ 91 Romanticizing Edward and Gaveston ............................................................................................. 100 Romanticization in chronicles ...................................................................................................... 100 The role of Marlowe....................................................................................................................... 103 Establishing a romantic relation .............................................................................................. 103 Mourning and revenge .............................................................................................................. 108 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 112 Chapter 4 – ‘Is it not strange that he is thus bewitch’d?’: Edward II’s Agency and Culpability ................................................................................................................ 120 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ 120 Keywords ............................................................................................................................................. 120 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 120 Unsuitable companions...................................................................................................................... 122 Agency in attraction ............................................................................................................................ 125 Political agency .................................................................................................................................... 132 Evil counsel – or evil nature? ............................................................................................................ 139 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 144 Chapter 5 – Edward II as Political Exemplum ........................................................ 156 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ 156 Keywords ............................................................................................................................................. 156 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 156 Polemical invocations ......................................................................................................................... 158 Elizabeth I ....................................................................................................................................... 159 Henri III ........................................................................................................................................... 165 James VI and I ................................................................................................................................ 167 Charles I and James II.................................................................................................................... 170 Other political allusions ..................................................................................................................... 172 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 182 Chapter 6 – ‘No escape now from a life full of suffering’: Edward II’s Sensational Fall 190 Abstract ................................................................................................................................................ 190 Keywords ............................................................................................................................................. 190 4 Introduction