One of the most infamous murders in English history is that of King Edward II, who is said to have been killed with a red hot poker up his arse. Edward II was the son of King Edward I and reigned as King of England from 1307 to 1327.

Edward II's reign was marked by political unrest and conflict with his barons, particularly his favorite, Piers Gaveston. Gaveston's close relationship with the king angered the nobles, who saw him as a threat to their own power. In 1312, the barons forced Edward II to banish Gaveston, but the king later pardoned him and brought him back to court.

In 1314, Edward II suffered a humiliating defeat at the Battle of Bannockburn against the Scots, led by Robert the Bruce. This defeat further weakened his position and led to increased opposition from his barons. In 1326, his wife, Queen Isabella, who had been estranged from Edward II, formed an alliance with the barons and invaded England with an army.

Edward II was captured and imprisoned in Berkeley Castle. It was there that he met a gruesome end. According to popular legend, a group of assassins led by Sir Thomas Gurney murdered the king by holding him down and inserting a red hot poker into his anus, thereby killing him. This brutal method of execution was a symbolic punishment for sodomy, which was considered a grave sin at the time.

While the exact details of Edward II's death remain shrouded in mystery, historians generally agree that he was indeed murdered. Some believe that he was suffocated or poisoned, while others maintain that the red hot poker story is true. Regardless of the method, Edward II's death marked the end of his troubled reign and paved the way for his son, Edward III, to take the throne.

In conclusion, the murder of King Edward II with a red hot poker up his arse is a dark chapter in English history that continues to intrigue and fascinate historians and enthusiasts alike.

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