In Kathryn Warner's "Edward II: His Sexuality and Relationships," the infamous monarch gets the reconsideration it seems is his due after the way history has distorted and mangled his posthumous reputation. Warner treats Edward II, Isabella of France, and all of the other figures that surrounded them in life with the respect and kindness that, as Warner puts it herself, "real people with their own personalities, their own admirable and less admirable traits, and their own sexualities" deserve. Many other authors and historians don't offer the same humanity to historical subjects, so it was absolutely refreshing to read "Edward II" and experience the care that Warner takes in pointing out how modern-day biases shade our perceptions of medieval people -- often in harmful ways. Some of Warner's powerful and convincing arguments and analysis gets diluted in the overall structuring of the book itself: multiple sections repeat details or anecdotes that don't necessarily feel like they belonged under a specific chapter's "main idea." Regardless, Warner's depiction of Edward II is a valuable contribution to the study of the English king.

I thought this book would be a normal history book explaining the author's theories and evidence for them.
Instead, it's an epic blow by blow take down of authors and historians who believe that if a man in the past was interested in other men, it meant they didn't care about the women they married.
Kathryn Warner masterfully navigates contemporary evidence and the language to show that may not have been the case and debunks the sexist theories that Isabella must have had an affair with Roger Mortimer because her husband had male lovers, and that Edward's lovers turned him against her as well as his kingdom

Edward II has gripped the fascination of historians and individuals for centuries as to who he was. Was he a man who loved solely men or was he someone with an unapologetic view of love that anyone can love either gender indiscriminately? We may never know. In her book, Edward II: His Sexuality and Relationships, Kathryn Warner strips away the myths, rumours and Shakespearean retelling of him and tells the story of Edward II plainly without any bravado or leaning towards a singular narrative. I thoroughly enjoyed Warner's book as it broke down each aspect of Edward II's life (both personal and public). I highly recommend this to any history fan who wants to see the story of Edward II with less Shakespearean certainty and more ambiguity.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pen & Sword for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kathryn Warner, and Pen & Sword for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Edward II: His Sexuality and Relationships in the return of an honest review. I received an advanced reader copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Edward II is someone I have not studied before. My focus has mainly been on the Tudors dynasty. This book is very intriguing and informative. I am looking forward to learning more about him and Isabella in other works. This book is a great jumping off point.

‘Whatever the true nature of Edward’s sexuality, one thing was certain: he would have to have an arrange marriage to a woman or girl be carrot knew for the sake of his and his father’s kingdom.’

Sadly I struggled with this book. (It’s not you, it’s me).

The author has done a lot of research here on talking about Edward II and Isabella, dealing with a lot of misconceptions that we have believed over the century's.

I personally just could not get into this and found myself fed up with it all.

I love Kathryn Warner! Her book on Sex & Sexuality In Medieval England was great! And I have many more of her books in my TBR.

Requested and received an eARC of Edward II: His Sexuality and Relationships by Kathryn Warner from Pen & Sword via NetGalley. I was super excited to see this title! I really enjoyed Warner’s Edward II: The Unconventional King which provided an in-depth look at the monarch’s controversial reign, so I had high expectations for this volume. I was not disappointed! In her introduction, Warner is clear about the nature of her work from the outset. She cites the tendency of some historians to underplay his same-sex relationships while also acknowledging the tendency of others to underplay his relationships with women. She isn’t seeking to make any solid claims about his sexuality based on modern understanding, but rather examining what we know and can reasonably infer about his relationships.

Warner tackles a lot in this volume. She addresses not only Edward II’s potential sexual relationships, but also his relationships with commoners and what we can assess about his real nature. She seeks to dismantle the typical Edward/Isabella narrative and interrogate the misconceptions that have become staples of their cultural depictions. She also poses the questions of why we force Isabella and Mortimer into this passionate, adulterous space despite the lack of direct evidence, but squabble over Edward II’s sexual preferences which can perhaps more easily be more easily argued? “It is as though same-sex relationships are to be dismissed unless they reach an almost impossibly high level of proof, whereas heterosexual relationships are held to very different standards.”

“Mortimer is invariably described as the queen’s ‘lover’, as though webcam footage of Isabella’s bedchamber exists and we therefore know beyond all possible doubt that the two had sex.”

Another great point raised about our unconventional king is how he is physically portrayed in pop-culture. He is often depicted as campy, vain, and effeminate, despite accounts to the contrary. This was a quick read that was packed to the brim with details, but didn’t feel overtaxing thanks largely to Warner’s compulsively readable writing-style. The author offers facts and straightforward criticism of the way we discuss and retell the stories of Edward II, but also does a terrific job of tackling our cultural misconceptions surrounding Isabella. Through careful analysis of fact versus fiction, we’re shown what a disservice we have done to a complicated and compelling woman, often with perceptions that are deeply rooted in misogynistic thought.

This nuanced exploration delves into the unconventional life of Edward II, the controversial English king sometimes celebrated as a gay icon for his relationships with men. Going beyond the shocking myth about his death, the book examines evidence supporting Edward’s bisexuality through his affairs with both men and women. It also reevaluates his marriage to Isabella of France, portraying its initial happiness—before the threats from Hugh Despenser and her alliance with Roger Mortimer led to tragedy.

This book refutes 700 years of misinformation to reveal what can truly be known about the marriage of Edward and Isabella, and the other people they may have loved. It’s a fascinating and much-needed correction that sweeps away ugly stereotypes to show the real human beings underneath. It’s a smart, insightful, compassionate, and enjoyable read that made me want to cheer.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.