Editing Edward II of England (section)

===Tensions over Gaveston===
[[File:Philip iv and family.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|alt=painting of Philip IV and family|[[Isabella of France]] (third from the left) with her father, [[Philip&nbsp;IV of France]] (tallest), in a French manuscript]]

Gaveston's return from exile in 1307 was initially accepted by the barons, but opposition quickly grew.<ref>{{Harvnb|Prestwich|2003|p=74}}; {{Harvnb|Rubin|2006|p=31}}.</ref> He appeared to have an excessive influence on royal policy, leading to complaints from one chronicler that there were "two kings reigning in one kingdom, the one in name and the other in deed".<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=135–137}}.</ref> Accusations, probably untrue, were levelled at Gaveston that he had stolen royal funds and had purloined Isabella's wedding presents.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=136–138}}.</ref> Gaveston had played a key role at Edward's coronation, provoking fury from both the English and the French contingents about the earl's ceremonial precedence and magnificent clothes, and about Edward's apparent preference for Gaveston's company over that of Isabella at the feast.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=144–146}}; {{Harvnb|Chaplais|1994|p=44}}.</ref>

[[Parliament of England|Parliament]] met in February 1308 in a heated atmosphere.<ref name="Phillips2011PP146">{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=146–147}}.</ref> Edward was eager to discuss the potential for governmental reform, but the barons were unwilling to begin any such debate until the problem of Gaveston had been resolved.<ref name=Phillips2011PP146/> Violence seemed likely, but the situation was resolved through the mediation of the moderate [[Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln]], who convinced the barons to back down.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|p=146}}.</ref> A fresh parliament was held in April, where the barons once again criticised Gaveston, demanding his exile, this time supported by Isabella and the French monarchy.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=147–149}}.</ref> Edward resisted, but finally acquiesced, agreeing to send Gaveston to Aquitaine, under threat of [[excommunication]] by the Archbishop of Canterbury should he return.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=149–150}}.</ref> At the last moment, Edward changed his mind and instead sent Gaveston to [[Dublin]], appointing him as the [[Lord Lieutenant of Ireland]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=150–151}}.</ref>

Edward called for a fresh military campaign for Scotland, but this idea was quietly abandoned, and instead the king and the barons met in August 1308 to discuss reform.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|p=151}}.</ref> Behind the scenes, Edward started negotiations to convince both [[Pope Clement&nbsp;V]] and Philip&nbsp;IV to allow Gaveston to return to England, offering in exchange to suppress the Knights Templar in England, and to release Bishop Langton from prison.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=152–153}}.</ref> Edward called a new meeting of members of the Church and key barons in January 1309, and the leading earls then gathered in March and April, possibly under the leadership of [[Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=154–155}}.</ref> Another parliament followed, which refused to allow Gaveston to return to England, but offered to grant Edward additional taxes if he agreed to a programme of reform.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=156–157}}.</ref>

Edward sent assurances to the Pope that the conflict surrounding Gaveston's role was at an end.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|p=155}}.</ref> On the basis of these promises, and procedural concerns about how the original decision had been taken, the Pope agreed to annul the Archbishop's threat to excommunicate Gaveston, thus opening the possibility of Gaveston's return.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|pp=155, 157–158}}.</ref> Gaveston arrived back in England in June, where he was met by Edward.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|p=158}}.</ref> At the parliament the next month, Edward made a range of concessions to placate those opposed to Gaveston, including agreeing to limit the powers of the [[Lord Steward|royal steward]] and the [[marshal]] of the royal household, to regulate the Crown's unpopular powers of [[purveyance]], and to abandon recently enacted customs legislation; in return, parliament agreed to fresh taxes for the war in Scotland.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|p=159}}.</ref> Temporarily, at least, Edward and the barons appeared to have come to a successful compromise.<ref>{{Harvnb|Phillips|2011|p=160}}.</ref>