All of her machinations eventually backfire, as Edward III decides to behead Mortimer and imprison Isabella after learning of his father's death. She enters into a sexual relationship with Mortimer and helps him become Protector over Edward III. Her patience wears, however, and she joins with Mortimer and the nobles to plot against Gaveston and, eventually, Edward himself. She loves her husband and is jealous of his open affection for Gaveston, even shunning the overtures of Mortimer. Queen Isabellaĭaughter of the French King, Isabella is wife to Edward II and mother to Edward III. This brings him into conflict with the Queen and the nobles, who scheme to banish, imprison, and then kill him. He has strong feelings for Edward and delights in the power he receives by being his companion. Having been banished by Edward I before the play begins, the play opens with his receiving word of that king’s death, the ascension to the throne by Edward II, and Edward’s plans for him to return. Piers de Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall (a title levied upon him by the besotted Edward), is referred to merely as Gaveston. His gruesome death ends his tumultuous reign.

By the end of the play he is a pitiable figure, though it is hard to defend his actions while king. He ignores his nobles' wishes and ends up being forced to agree to Gaveston's banishment and then watch a series of events play out that leads to Gaveston's death and civil war. He defends Gaveston at all costs and will brook no dissent, leading to complaints that his rule is bad for the state and bad for the people. Edward II becomes king after the death of his father, but almost immediately lets his shortsightedness and irrationality regarding how his relationship with the basely-born Gaveston will appear to the nobles cloud his rule.

Edward ii marlowe