King Edward II
(1284-1327), Reigned 1307-27Sitter associated with 26 portraits
The son of Edward I and Eleanor of Castile, Edward II was an unpopular king who faced frequent unrest among the nobility. He was King of England from 1307 until deposed in January 1327 and later murdered at Berkeley Castle. His tendency to ignore his nobility in favour of low-born favourites led to constant political unrest and his eventual deposition. Edward is perhaps best remembered for his supposed murder and his alleged homosexuality. Edward II was the first monarch to establish colleges in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge; he founded Cambridge's King's Hall in 1317 and gave Oxford's Oriel College its royal charter in 1326.
by Elkington & Co, cast by Domenico Brucciani, after Unknown artist
electrotype, 1877, based on a work of circa 1330s
NPG 439
'The Kings and Queens of England: From the Conquest to Queen Victoria'
by Henry Hering
albumen carte-de-visite photomontage, 1862
NPG Ax131392
by F.F., after Unknown artist
etching, 17th century
NPG D33895
by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, 1618
NPG D33890
by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, 1618
NPG D33891
by Renold or Reginold Elstrack (Elstracke)
line engraving, 1628
NPG D23686
King Edward II; King Edward III (fictitious portraits)
probably by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake
line engraving, circa 1640
NPG D22804
possibly by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake
line engraving, early 1640s
NPG D23686A
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1649?
NPG D33893
King Edward I; King Edward II; King Edward III; King Richard II
after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1677
NPG D34137
after Unknown artist
line engraving, perhaps 18th century
NPG D23681
by John Vandergucht
line engraving, probably 18th century
NPG D23682
The lines of Plantagenet, Lancaster and York
by George Vertue
etching, circa 1700-1756
NPG D32045
after Unknown artist
etching, 18th century
NPG D23690
by Peter Vanderbank (Vandrebanc), after Edward Lutterell (Luttrell)
line engraving, 1706
NPG D23685
by John Carwitham, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1723-1741
NPG D33894
The Sovereigns of England, part 1
by John Carwitham, printed and published by Richard Caldwell, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1723-1741
NPG D34141
by George Vertue
line engraving, 1732
NPG D23684
by George Vertue
engraving, engraved 1735
NPG D18690
by George Vertue
line engraving, 1745
NPG D23683
Related People
- King Edward I (father)
- King Edward III (son)
- Eleanor of Castile (mother)
- Isabella of France (wife)
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.