tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post1238339085366678148..comments2024-03-14T05:56:44.390+00:00Comments on Edward II: Quotes About Edward IIKathryn Warnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00397714441908100576noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-57531107386939414542014-03-18T18:13:58.499+00:002014-03-18T18:13:58.499+00:00"I find the 'but God knows it' part v..."I find the 'but God knows it' part very moving."<br />When I read that part of the post the first thing I thought of was Kipling's poignant line for the tombstones of the unidentified, 'A soldier of the Great War, known unto God'.<br /><br />One thing that the quotes seem to agree on fairly consistently is Edward's tendency to put far too much trust in a single individual. Given that medieval high politics was full of aristocratic factions, a key skill for a king was to be able to play them all off against each other and thus always be the only one holding the balance of power. Letting an individual or a small clique gain a disproportionate influence over the king means the king gets embroiled in the faction fighting rather than being 'above' it in some way, with potentially fatal consequences. I can see why Edward II (or anyone) might want to have someone on whom they can rely totally and trust absolutely, but the combination with absolute royal power can be toxic. <br />Carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11901028520813891575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-25432101841281057102014-03-18T09:41:48.335+00:002014-03-18T09:41:48.335+00:00All of which pretty much confirms my image of the ...All of which pretty much confirms my image of the man. <br /><br />Here we have a talented guy who had to become a king. I sometimes think he made his mind pretty early on that he would be himself and not some "king", which he was not supposed to become originally anyway.<br /><br />And yes, a human being, with all his faults. Perhaps he had a crush on Piers, perhaps Piers was the best looking guy in the realm? Who knows. <br /><br />Fantastic tragic figure, Edward II was. If his father had been like a thunder and lightning, and his son became steel and stone, he himself was very much just a man. Perhaps that is why he makes us think, still.Sami Parkkonennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-24609122770950679752014-03-17T20:04:54.115+00:002014-03-17T20:04:54.115+00:00I meant Ian Mortimer - predictive text on my I-pad...I meant Ian Mortimer - predictive text on my I-pad can be so annoying!Anerjehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16305237339979790391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-23219082709509100892014-03-17T14:40:34.848+00:002014-03-17T14:40:34.848+00:00That's one of my favourite parts too, Kasia! ;...That's one of my favourite parts too, Kasia! ;-)Kathryn Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00397714441908100576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-26144819650420961402014-03-17T09:42:24.279+00:002014-03-17T09:42:24.279+00:00I love this: "He was prodigal in giving, boun...I love this: "He was prodigal in giving, bountiful and splendid in living, quick and unpredictable in speech..." :-)Reminds me of his ancestor I'm rather fond of :-)Katarzyna Ogrodnik-Fujcikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10415905019122111675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-8142128913185560252014-03-16T18:12:32.681+00:002014-03-16T18:12:32.681+00:00Hehehe, yeah, it's very hard to picture that. ...Hehehe, yeah, it's very hard to picture that. :)Kathryn Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00397714441908100576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-51350783281793234982014-03-16T18:11:18.151+00:002014-03-16T18:11:18.151+00:00Well Kathryn, I love the idea of a confident Piers...Well Kathryn, I love the idea of a confident Piers literally lording it over everyone - Ian Morris in his book on Edward III says part of Piers' charm was his confidence and may have encouraged Edward to be himself. Which wasn't necessarily always a good thing - although Piers would never have dug ditches I'm sure, so he can't be blamed for that:)Anerjehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16305237339979790391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-58880061798531518122014-03-16T18:01:56.843+00:002014-03-16T18:01:56.843+00:00Anerje, I've also often wondered what those ni...Anerje, I've also often wondered what those night-time activities were too! ;-) Love your Piers comment! ;-)Kathryn Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00397714441908100576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-88212069197618436042014-03-16T17:57:51.818+00:002014-03-16T17:57:51.818+00:00Amongst the negative comments are some hidden gems...Amongst the negative comments are some hidden gems - I noted the 'shy with strangers' bit as well. Also he was wise and amiable, and handsome - there just seemed so much expectation on Edward. And when considered not up to the job of king, criticised for his common pursuits and so-called lowly friends. I wonder what the 'various works of ingenuity and skill ' Edward got up to at night with his companions were? :) I loved the quotes on Piers - to think he allowed Edward to be his equal :) As for the nobles - no doubt they were treacherous.Anerjehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16305237339979790391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-52430445997858765502014-03-16T13:13:38.009+00:002014-03-16T13:13:38.009+00:00I agree! In the French original it's 'as ...I agree! In the French original it's 'as estrangis soleyn', incidentally.Kathryn Warnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00397714441908100576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19545049.post-1186821637359442482014-03-16T13:00:44.103+00:002014-03-16T13:00:44.103+00:00The phrase that resonates most with me is 'shy...The phrase that resonates most with me is 'shy with strangers'. Such a human reaction, so poignant.Little Angelic Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13636466826438530446noreply@blogger.com