Thursday 9 June 2016

June 9th - disaster strikes Piers Gaveston

June 9th marks the beginning of the end for Piers Gaveston.   Having surrendered on very favourable terms to Amyer de Valance, Earl of Pembroke, Piers was no doubt in good spirits.  Pembroke had sworn an oath of honour to protect Piers whilst he was in his custody.    He no doubt treated Piers with respect.   But somehow, Guy of Warwick, Piers Black Hound, knew of Pembroke 's plans.    He must have had spies tracking Pembroke.    When he knew Pembroke was off to visit his wife at Bampton, leaving Piers at Deddington Priory with a small guard, he seized his chance.  Piers and Edward II obviously trusted Pembroke.    Edward II made no attempt to rescue Piers from Pembroke and Piers made no attempt to escape despite the small guard - after all, he was safer in Pembroke 's custody rather than roaming through the English countryside.   Piers must have felt doomed when he heard Warwick had come for him, and Pembroke 's token guards were no match for him and his soldiers.   I have to wonder - did he have a glimmer of hope?

5 comments:

Kathryn Warner said...

Poor Piers :( Maybe he thought that as an earl and as the earl of Gloucester's brother-in-law, he'd be safe. Seems to me that Pembroke thought he'd be safe too, leaving him alone at the priory.

Katarzyna Ogrodnik-Fujcik said...

"Black week' for our dear ones - tomorrow marks the anniversary of Henry's death at Martel :(

Anerje said...

Hi Kathryn - I'm furious at Gloucester 's actions. I'm sure Piers probably clung on to some hope.

Hi Kasia - a bleak month for our favs then. Penman's description was so moving.

Gabriele Campbell said...

And Edward probably thought, 'what's the use of being king if I can't even chop the heads off the monsters who killed Piers'.

Anerje said...

Gabrielle - Edward must have been desperately worried and frantic that Warwick had Piers. He bided his time but he took his revenge. I've a feeling that he clung to even a shred of hope.