The son to whom Edward I left his power was in every respect his
opposite. The old definition of the word "king" was "the man who
CAN," or the able man. The modern explanation usually makes him "the
chief or head of a people." Edward II would satisfy neither of these
definitions. He lacked all disposition to do anything himself; he
equally lacked power to incite others to do. By nature he was a
jester, trifler, and waster of time.
Being such, it is hardly necessary to say that he did not push the war
with Scotland. Robert Bruce (S227) did not expect that he would; that
valiant fighter, indeed, held the new English sovereign in utter
contempt, saying that he feared the dead father, Edward I, much more
than the living son.