Acknowledgements Introduction Life of an 'unfortunate king' Writing Edward II's narrative Reading Edward II's narrative Structure Chapter 1 - Riot, Sodomy, and Minions: The Ambiguous Discourse of Sexual Transgression Introduction Riot Sodomy Minions Conclusion Chapter 2 - From Goats to Ganymedes: The Development of Edward II's Sexual Reputation Introduction Lechery and goats Sexualized stock phrases Ganymede The role of Marlowe Conclusion Chapter 3 - Edward II and Piers Gaveston: Brothers, Friends, Lovers Introduction Brotherhood and friendship Romanticizing Edward and Gaveston Conclusion Chapter 4 - 'Is it not strange that he is thus bewitch'd?': Edward II's Agency and Culpability Introduction Unsuitable companions Agency in attraction Political agency Evil counsel - or evil nature? Conclusion Chapter 5 - Edward II as Political Exemplum Introduction Polemical invocations Other political allusions Conclusion Chapter 6 - 'No escape now from a life full of suffering': Edward II's Sensational Fall Introduction Deposition Imprisonment Edward's story as de casibus narrative Conclusion Chapter 7 - Beyond Sexual Mimesis: The Penetrative Murder of Edward II Introduction Development of a consensus Precedents for penetration Sexual mimesis Pain and torture Marlowe's murder scene Conclusion Conclusion: The Literary Transformation of History Introduction Illuminating Marlowe Literary transformations Appendix: Accounts of and allusions to Edward II's reign, composed 1305-1697 Introduction Index.