England
Rebellion
Piers Gaveston served as the focal point for all the anger of the barons against Edward II. The opposition was led by Thomas, earl of Lancaster. It's common to refer to the man by his principal estate, so you will see him referred to simply as "Lancaster." This is the same family that in the next century formed one side in the War of the Roses.
Lancaster not only drove Piers Gaveston into exile, he was also behind the creation of a council of twenty-one "advisors" to the king. This council issued the "New Ordinances" in 1311, designed to reform the government. Gaveston, who had refused to flee, counting on Edward's protection, was captured and executed in 1312. It was the passing of this crisis that allowed Edward finally to raise an army and march against the Scots. Because he lost at Bannockburn in 1314, Edward was forced to comply with the New Ordinances, but he hated the Council and sought ways to circumvent it.