This Day in History: 1316-03-03
On 3rd March 1316, Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, lord of Pontefract, was made Chief of the Royal Council (curia regis) because of Edward II’s waning power after his humiliating defeat at the Battle of Bannockburn two years earlier. Lancaster promised to re-instigate the Ordinances of 1311 but disagreements with other barons effectively paralysed government for the next two years.