Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster

Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, born circa 1278, was an English nobleman from the royal Plantagenet Dynasty and the first House of Lancaster. Holding the titles of Earl of Lancaster, Leicester, and Derby from 1296 to 1322, and Earl of Lincoln and Salisbury jure uxoris from 1311 to 1322, he emerged as a prominent baronial leader opposing his first cousin, King Edward II. His early life was marked by his position as the eldest son of Edmund Crouchback and Blanche of Artois, with royal connections extending to both England and France. Thomas’s marriage to Alice de Lacy was childless, and his personal life was complicated by her abduction, leading to feuds and political tension.

Throughout his life, Thomas played a significant role in English politics and military campaigns. His involvement in the Battle of Falkirk, opposition to Piers Gaveston, and leadership in the Lords Ordainers highlight his active participation in the governance and conflicts of his time. After the Battle of Bannockburn, he wielded considerable power, albeit briefly, as the de facto ruler of England. His downfall came with the rebellion against King Edward II and the Despensers, leading to his defeat, capture, and execution by beheading in 1322 near Pontefract Castle.