Editing Edward II of England (section)

===The Despenser War===
{{Main article|Despenser War}}
The long-threatened [[Despenser War|civil war]] finally broke out in England in 1321,<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=372–378}}.</ref> triggered by the tension between many of the barons and the royal favourites, the Despenser family.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haines|2003|pp=121–123}}.</ref> [[Hugh Despenser the Elder]] had served both Edward and his father, while Hugh Despenser the Younger had married into the wealthy de&nbsp;Clare family, become the King's [[chamberlain (office)|chamberlain]], and acquired Glamorgan in the [[Welsh Marches]] in 1317.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=364–365}}.</ref> Hugh the Younger subsequently expanded his holdings and power across Wales, mainly at the expense of the other [[Marcher Lord]]s.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=365–366}}.</ref> The Earl of Lancaster and the Despensers were fierce enemies, and Lancaster's antipathy was shared by most of the Despensers' neighbours, including the Earl of Hereford, the [[Mortimer#Medieval magnates|Mortimer family]] and the recently elevated Hugh Audley and Roger Damory.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=364, 366–367}}.</ref> Edward, however, increasingly relied on the Despensers for advice and support, and he was particularly close to Hugh the Younger, whom one chronicler noted he "loved&nbsp;... dearly with all his heart and mind".<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=367–368}}.</ref>

In early 1321, Lancaster mobilised a coalition of the Despensers' enemies across the Marcher territories.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=374–375}}.</ref> Edward and Hugh the Younger became aware of these plans in March and headed west, hoping that negotiations led by the moderate Earl of Pembroke would defuse the crisis.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=375–377}}.</ref> This time, Pembroke made his excuses and declined to intervene, and war broke out in May.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=376–377}}.</ref> The Despensers' lands were quickly seized by a coalition of the Marcher Lords and the local gentry, and Lancaster held a high-level gathering of the barons and clergy in June which condemned the Despensers for having broken the Ordinances.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=377–379}}; {{Harvnb|Jordan|1996|p=84}}.</ref> Edward attempted reconciliation, but in July the opposition occupied London and called for the permanent removal of the Despensers.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=383–387}}.</ref> Fearing that he might be deposed if he refused, Edward agreed to exile the Despensers and pardoned the Marcher Lords for their actions.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|p=390}}; {{Harvnb|Haines|2003|pp=128–129}}.</ref>

Edward began to plan his revenge.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|p=394}}.</ref> With the help of Pembroke, he formed a small coalition of his half-brothers, a few of the earls and some of the senior clergy, and prepared for war.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=395–397}}.</ref> Edward started with [[Bartholomew de Badlesmere, 1st Baron Badlesmere]], and Isabella was sent to Bartholomew's stronghold, [[Leeds Castle]], to deliberately create a ''[[casus belli]]''.<ref name="Phillips2011P397">{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|p=397}}.</ref> Bartholomew's wife, [[Margaret de Clare, Baroness Badlesmere|Margaret]], took the bait and her men killed several of Isabella's retinue, giving Edward an excuse to intervene.<ref name=Phillips2011P397/> Lancaster refused to help Bartholomew, his personal enemy, and Edward quickly regained control of south-east England.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=397–398}}.</ref> Alarmed, Lancaster now mobilised his own army in the north of England, and Edward mustered his own forces in the south-west.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=399–400}}.</ref> The Despensers returned from exile and were pardoned by the royal council.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=400–401}}.</ref>

In December, Edward led his army across the [[River Severn]] and advanced into the Welsh Marches, where the opposition forces had gathered.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=403–404}}.</ref> The coalition of Marcher Lords crumbled and the Mortimers surrendered to Edward,<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|p=404}}.</ref> but Damory, Audley, and the Earl of Hereford marched north in January to join Lancaster, who had laid siege the king's castle at [[Tickhill Castle|Tickhill]].<ref name="Phillips2011PP406407">{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=406–407}}.</ref> Bolstered by fresh reinforcements from the Marcher Lords, Edward pursued them, meeting Lancaster's army on 10 March at [[Burton-on-Trent]]. Lancaster, outnumbered, retreated without a fight, fleeing north.<ref name=Phillips2011PP406407/> [[Andrew Harclay]] cornered Lancaster at the [[Battle of Boroughbridge]], and captured the earl.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|p=408}}.</ref> Edward and Hugh the Younger met Lancaster at [[Pontefract Castle]], where, after a [[summary trial]], the earl was found guilty of treason and beheaded.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=408–409}}; {{Harvnb|Haines|2003|p=141}}.</ref>