Spending increased on Edward’s personal household as he grew older and, in 1293, William of Blyborough took over as its administrator.[20] Edward was probably given a religious education by the Dominican friars, whom his mother invited into his household in 1290. He was assigned one of his grandmother’s followers, Guy Ferre, as his magister, who was responsible for his discipline, training him in riding and military skills. It is uncertain how well educated Edward was; there is little evidence for his ability to read and write, although his mother was keen that her other children be well educated, and Ferre was himself a relatively learned man for the period. Edward likely mainly spoke Anglo-Norman French in his daily life, in addition to some English and possibly Latin.
Edward had a normal upbringing for a member of a royal family. He was interested in horses and horse breeding, and became a good rider; he also liked dogs, in particular greyhounds. In his letters, he shows a quirky sense of humour, joking about sending unsatisfactory animals to his friends, such as horses who disliked carrying their riders, or lazy hunting dogs too slow to catch rabbits. He was not particularly interested in hunting or falconry, both popular activities in the 14th century. He enjoyed music, including Welsh music and the newly invented crwth instrument, as well as musical organs. He did not take part in jousting, either because he lacked the aptitude or because he had been banned from participating for his personal safety, but he was certainly supportive of the sport.
Edward grew up to be tall and muscular, and was considered good-looking by the standards of the period. He had a reputation as a competent public speaker and was known for his generosity to household staff. Unusually, he enjoyed rowing, as well as hedging and ditching, and enjoyed associating with labourers and other lower-class workers. This behaviour was not considered normal for the nobility of the period and attracted criticism from contemporaries.
In 1290, Edward’s father had confirmed the Treaty of Birgham, in which he promised to marry his six-year-old son to the young Margaret of Norway, who had a potential claim to the crown of Scotland. Margaret died later that year, bringing an end to the plan. Edward’s mother, Eleanor, died shortly afterwards, followed by his grandmother, Eleanor of Provence. Edward I was distraught at his wife’s death and held a huge funeral for her; his son inherited the County of Ponthieu from Eleanor. Next, a French marriage was considered for the young Edward, to help secure a lasting peace with France, but war broke out in 1294. The idea was replaced with the proposal of a marriage to a daughter of Guy, Count of Flanders, but this too failed after it was blocked by King Philip IV of France.
From the Making of England: His inadequacies stand out in sharp relief against the iron strength of his father. He inherited an overly ambitious foreign policy, a debt-ridden treasury, a restive nobility, but not his father’s intelligence.
Barons forced him to take unusual coronation oaths. He was mercurial, unchivalrous weakling. A trifler, breeder of horses, a patron of playwrights, a contriver of masques, a smatterer in mechanical arts. He was an adept rower and a practiced whip. IOW he lacked all the qualities that would make him respectable as a king ( a warrior and hero). To make matters worse he was probably homosexual.
He also had a self-defeating tendency to form powerful emotional relationships with ambitious young men and fall hopelessly under their influence, i.e. Piers Gaveston which caused endless difficulties.
E2 was given his own house at age 5 and in it there was much gambling and inappropriate behavior. He likes to dress in the newest Parisian fashio (foppish, in tights,