Even from this view, it looks in good condition. It's the bottom of the monument that has suffered, where people have sat at it's base and scrawled graffiti on it. There were lots of drinks cans around it.
On contacting the local council, to complain that there were no signposts/information on the monument, I was sent an e-mail with a link about trespassing! Whilst the monument is a Grade II listed monument, the land on which it stands belongs to a farmer who I've since discovered is not a local. It is not his responsibility to maintain the monument. It's a strange situation - a monument dedicated to Piers some 500 years after his death - it was erected in 1821 - but officially no-one can access it and no-one has to maintain it - and neither can it be demolished. It makes me wonder just how many other such monuments exist, hidden away. Of course, we can't know whether this is exactly the spot on which Piers was killed, but it must have been nearby. I would like to know why the person who commissioned the monument, Bertie Greatheed, actually did so. Why was he so keen to have the killing of Piers commemorated? Especially with that awful inscription -
'In the Hollow of this Rock, was beheaded, On the 1st Day of July, by Barons lawless as himself, Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall; The Minion of a hateful King: In life and death, A memorable Instance of Misrule'
Greatheed didn't write the inscription, the local curate did, but he agreed to it. No doubt Piers would be delighted to be remembered as Earl of Cornwall. The day I visited the monument, it was a pleasant summer's day, and looking around at the greenery of the wood, it was hard to believe that such a violent crime has been carried out there.
12 comments:
Anerje's posting expresses the feelings of eagerness that my 80+ year old father and I also had as we approached the monument: " This was my first glimpse of the Gaveston Cross. I can't tell you the excitement I felt." Before starting towards the woods, we were advised to be aware of hunters in the area. Herds of sheep were between the woods and the muddy ditch where we parked. Anerje raises a very interesting question: why erect this monument with its skewed message? Hopes are that someone out there will untangle this situation that Anerje describes to launch a process that can start restoration. Please, keep us posted to help! Rob (United States)
You know, Rob, you might just have inspired me - thanks. It is exciting when it emerges through the tree tops, when you've seen pictures of it. Well done on even finding it. I'd made 2 attempts previously - before I knew what it looked like - pre Internet days! And just expected it to be completely visible on a hill.
Monuments became quite popular in the 19th century, but this one is rather early and the inscription very odd indeed. If I don't like the chap who got killed on my land, why put up a memorial for him?
Hi Gabriele - I think I will do some research on the guy who had the monument put up, and such an awful inscription. It's very intriguing.
Wow, both my parents and grandparents grew up in Warwick and they never mentioned this cross,I myself am from Leamington and I've never heard of this in my life until talking to my gf, a history buff, we've decided we will try and see it,sounds intriguing and interesting!!
When I asked local people they just called it 'the old monument '. Good luck finding it - and I hope it it's not in too bad a condition these days.
Thanks for the blog I love in Coventry and would like to visit one day , such a strange inscription agreed . I have however seen the monument not knowing it’s exact history a friend pointed it out from a tree we were climbing and pruning several miles away in Leamington . I have worked in Greatheed Street in leamington before not sure the connection. I also recall an adventure as a teen going to the base of guys cliffe house and scoping out the sandstone caves below on the riverbank where i beard Guy came back from the crusades and spent some time as an ascetic living in one of these caves . How true this is I do not know but the name Guys Cliff does make you wander .
Discovered this with my parents a few years back. Walkable from the Saxon Mill. Had many stumbling walks to find it. I suspect when the monument was built the trees weren't as unkempt or even there and it would have been visible from afar.
I think you are right - the trees certainly mask it. It's such a shame it's just been 'left'.
The monument should chronicle the event without casting aspersions on the victim of this brutal murder. Piers Gaveston was made to suffer and die for his love of the king. Disgusting , vile and cruel.
I'm hoping to go and make a clandestine visit soon, and take some drone footage for my own Facebook page: A Survival Guide to the History of Britain.
I have a question for the Blog Owner - why are you so fascinated by such awful people (Henry III,Edward II and the Despensers)?
Well, they may be awful judged by 21st Century standards, but then no one is perfect. I am certainly not fascinated by Henry III or the Despencers. But they all left their mark in history. Whatever we may think of them, they were human beings with faults - and who doesn't have faults? We can all stand back and say, with the great gift of hindsight, they shouldn't have done this or that. But they were human. Edward II said he couldn't be other than what he was - but maybe in the 21st century, he would have made an ideal King - enjoying the pursuits of 'the common man'. Henry VI was seen as a disaster in his own century - but a peace loving man who deplored war and violence - in the 21st Century, he would be shown respect. Henry V - hero of Agincourt, or perpetrator of war crimes? Nothing is ever black and white, and it's down to interpretation. I am a historian with a degree in Medieval history - I enjoy reading about it. We've had an overload of certain Kings and Queens - the Tudors for example. I'm fed up of reading 'did Anne Boleyn really have 6 fingers?' but there's certainly an appetite for it. There are many who would say Piers Gaveston is an 'awful person' - certainly the nobles of his time thought so. But Edward Ist thought he was an excellent role model of manners and chivalry for his son, and he certainly gave Edward II confidence.
Good luck in searching for the Gaveston Cross - definitely worth a visit. I work full time and long hours, but I aim to keep Piers' name alive with a monthly post, whatever the subject.
P.S. I've even been known to put in a good word for King John! Yes, really!:) Establishing the English Navy, inheriting problems from Richard Ist who almost bankrupted the kingdom with his ransom, standing up to the Pope.
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