ABSTRACT
Hardly less important than the king's character are the characters of the favourites upon whom he bestowed his affection and to whom did they desire it, the king was prepared to give the direction of the affairs of his realm. The household system was a perfect machinery for a strong-minded and able favourite to work his will in the government of the land. The characters of those with whom Edward II surrounded himself, and especially of the king's prime friends, Gavaston and Despenser, are of far reaching importance and must be treated in detail.
