Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre

Every year, late in November, the small town of Ludlow holds it's Christmas Medieval Fayre.   It's an event I've long wanted to attend, and this year I got my wish.  Ludlow is a picturesque, small medieval town, dominated by it's castle.  Having visited it several times, usually in the summer, it was a joy to visit at Christmas and to see the castle transformed.  Here are some of my pictures.

There were marquees set up in the grounds of the castle selling crafts.  Quite a few were selling medieval costumes.

There was entertainment on offer in the hospitality marquees.

There were some very talented musicians.  

There were plenty of medieval customs on display.

Dover Castle

During the summer, I finally got to visit Dover Castle.   It's been on my castle wish list for years.   There's so much history that has taken place there over hundreds of years.  It's well worth a visit, whatever period of history you are interested in.

This is a picture of the Anglo Saxon church of  St Mary, which was restored in Victorian times.  Next to it is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Britain, the Roman Pharos.  It was built to guide the Romans across the channel from France.

The current focus of the main castle is that of Henry II's Queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is 'in residence' with her lady in waiting.  It was very enjoyable 'chatting ' to her.

The castle is decorated as it would have been in Eleanor's days.

There are apartments for the King and Queen, as well as private chapels for worship.

Piers Gaveston's First Exile

My last post dealt with Piers Gaveston earning the wrath of Edward Ist, which eventually lead to his first exile.  Piers, along with some other knights, had absented himself from one of Edward Ist's endless Scottish campaigns to take part in a tournament in 1306.  His exile would soon follow.  The King had already banned Piers - and Prince Edward's cousin Gilbert de Clare  from his household.  Was the King aware that the Prince was lavishing gifts upon Piers?  Did he think Piers was becoming an over-mighty subject, one who might exploit the prince financially.  One chronicler, Walter pf Guisborough, tells of Edward 1st losing his temper with the Prince for asking for Ponthieu for Piers, and this was the cause of the banishment.  Or did the King suspect there was more to the relationship than he had ever thought?   We will never know.  Most historians who have examined the prime sources conclude that the exile was more of a punishment for the Prince than Piers.

To begin with, Piers was not ordered into exile straight away. He was given several weeks to get things ready, and interestingly, his destination was not to be Gascony, but Ponthieu, The King would hardly have banished Pier to Ponthieu if it was what he had asked the Prince for.  The Prince was allowed to accompany Piers to Dover Castle.  Piers was to take his household with him, which included 2 knights, 7 yeomen, his chamberlain, 2 falconers and 4 other servants.  The Prince even gave Piers 6 of his own grooms.  As well as this, the Prince once again lavished gifts on Piers, including 2 outfits to be worn in tournaments - and it is known Piers entered 2 tournaments whilst in exile.  Green seems to have suited Piers, as both outfits were green - one of velvet decorated with, pearls, gold, his coat of arms and silver piping.  As well as this, Piers was given expensive tapestries and money.  The Prince also gave him 5 horses, and continued to send money.  So Piers was hardly going to suffer in his exile.  What the King must have made of this is not recorded.  Maybe he thought it was an infatuation on the Prince's part that would soon burn itself out.  Gaveston's exile was not permanent, and was dependent upon the King recalling him.  However, Edward 1st did not have long to live, and within 3 months, was dead.  Naturally, one of King Edward II's first acts, was to recall Piers.

Source: 'Piers Gaveston :Politics and Patronage in the reign of Edward II' by J S Hamilton

The impressive Dover Castle, where Prince Edward accompanied Piers Gaveston on his way to his first exile.

1306 - Piers Gaveston earns the wrath of Edward Ist.

Piers Gaveston had been chosen by Edward 1st to be a suitable role model for his son, Edward of Carnarvon.  Piers had probably came to England in about 1297, after fighting with Edward 1st's army in Flanders.  He was a member of the king's household in 1297-98. He obviously impressed the King, as he was rewarded with a fine horse and selected as a companion for Prince Edward on account of the fact he came from Gascony, where he had learned his fine manners. The King must have hoped that Piers would be a fine example to the Prince in warfare.

At the start of 1306, Piers must have been delighted with his progress.  He had been knighted, earned the friendship/love/esteem of Prince Edward, and yet again had been rewarded with another fine horse, this time worth £60 (a present from the Prince).  He had also been granted lands and had his own household.  Whatever the relationship between Piers and the Prince, the King seemed pleased with the guidance Piers provided.

So what caused Piers fall from favour?  Not surprisingly, in 1306, Edward 1st was conducting the next stage of his Scottish campaign.  The campaign had been going well. Robert the Bruce has been defeated at Methven.  Prince Edward had also had some success, capturing castles at Lochmaben and Kildrummy.  By September, Edward Ist had decided to make camp at Lanercost, no doubt expecting to winter there.  Piers was one of 22 young knights who decided it was not worth wintering at Lanercost - not when there were lucrative tournaments to enter!  The King had actually banned all tournaments in England because of the Scottish war. But this didn't stop Piers and the other knights leaving England to take part in tournaments overseas.  Gilbert de Clare, the nephew of the King, also went - as did other members of the Prince's household, seemingly with his permission.  For Edward 1st, however, youth was no excuse for what he saw as desertion, even if the war with Scotland was discontinued.  Edward 1st was furious, and seized the lands of the knights and they were to be arrested for abandoning their king.  When his temper cooled, aided by his Queen, Margaret, Edward issued pardons to the knights - except for Piers Gaveston.  Instead the King ordered that 'For certain reasons that immediately after three weeks from the next tournament.......Sir Piers Gaveston  shall be ready to cross the sea at Dover for Gascony, and he shall remain there until he shall be recalled by the king and by his permission'.  This was Gaveston's first exile.  It does not seem to have been done whilst the king was in a foul temper - he generously allowed Piers 3 weeks before he was to go, enabling him to take part in any tournaments until then, and the exile does not seem to be permanent.  And yet, none of the other knights received such a punishment.  So why was Piers singled out?  It seems, perhaps, that the King suspected that his son had become infatuated with Piers, and that this might lead to .......a malign influence by Piers?  some sort of pact of brotherhood between Piers or Edward?  or maybe a sexual relationship between the pair?  We simply don't know,..... however much we might like to speculate.

Source: 'Piers Gaveston :Politics and Patronage in the reign of Edward II' by J S Hamilton

A Visit to Canterbury Cathedral

I've recently returned from spending some time in Kent.  I've been before, and it's a beautiful part of Britain.   Of course, being in Canterbury, I had to visit yet again the Cathedral.   Here are some of my photos.

Not surprisingly, the Cathedral is undergoing yet more renovations.

The shrine of St Thomas Becket, marking the place where he was struck down and murdered by knights claiming to act for the King, Henry II.

The tomb of the 'Black Prince', otherwise known as Edward of Woodstock, eldest son of Edward III.  His wife was Joan of Kent, mother of the future Richard II, and her father was Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent and younger brother to Edward II.

The tomb of Henry IV and his 2nd wife, Joan of Navarre.

The funerary ornaments of the Black Prince hang above his tomb.  These are copies, and you can see the originals in the Cathedral museum, although presently they are undergoing restoration. 

Another view of the shrine of St Thomas.

The candle marks the site of the original shrine of St Thomas 

The entrance to the Cathedral.  

The tomb of Edward II's Archbishop of Canterbury, Walter Reynolds.  He was made archbishop in 1314 and was one of the godfathers of the future Edward III.  He was loyal to Edward II until 1324, when he declared for Isabella and her son, and went on to crown Edward III.

Abergavenny Castle

Abergavenny is a small Welsh town on the border with England.  The ruins of a 12th Century castle are well worth a visit.  During it's time, it has seen some turbulent history, most noticeably during the Norman kings and those troublesome Welsh Princes, said with my tongue firmly in my cheek.  Two incidents stand out.  The Norman lord of Abergavenny in 1175 was William de Braose.  A few miles away lived Seisyllt ap Dyfnwal, the Welsh lord of Castell Arnallt.  In an act of treachery, de Braose invited Seisyllt and his family, including his son Geoffrey, to Abergavenny Castle at Christmas in a bid to establish peace between them.  In the great hall, de Braose ordered all the men be massacred. To be fair, de Braose was 'avenging' the death of his uncle, Henry, the third son of Milo Fitzwalter, attacked and killed by Seisyllt earlier in 1175!  In 1182, Hywel ap Iorwerth, Lord of Caerleon, retaliated and set the castle alight.  De Braose was not there, but many of his men were captured.

June 19th - death of Piers Gaveston

Actually, the title of this post should be murder of Piers Gaveston.   After surrendering to Amyer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, at Scarborough Castle, Piers was forcibly removed from his custody whilst resting overnight at Deddington in Oxfordshire.  Guy de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, Piers' Black Hound of Arden, must surely have been tracking Pembroke and Piers, waiting for a chance to strike.  When Pembroke visited his wife on June 10th, Warwick was waiting.  According to the Vita Edwardi Secundi, Warwick arrived and shouted out  -

'Arise traitor!   Thou art taken!'

  One can only  imagine the horror Piers must have felt hearing Warwick's cry.  He managed to compose himself, dress and handed himself over to Warwick.  Trying to resist or even escape, would surely have allowed Warwick to try and kill him there and then. 

We don't really know why Piers called Warwick the Black dog/hound of Arden, but it clearly rankled  and stun Warwick to the core.  Why else would the Vita mention it at this time?  Warwick took a spiteful delight in humiliating Piers.  The Vita continues with -

'In this fashion Piers was taken and led forth not as an earl but as a thief; and he who used to ride on a palfrey is now forced to go on foot. 

When they had left the village a little behind, the earl ordered Piers to be given a nag that they might proceed more quickly. Blaring trumpets followed Piers and the horrid cry of the populace. They had taken off his belt of knighthood, and as a thief and a traitor he was taken to Warwick, and coming there was cast into prison. He whom Piers called Warwick the Dog has now bound Piers with chains. '

Once at Warwick Castle, Warwick lost no time in contacting the King's cousin, Thomas of Lancaster, and Piers was imprisoned - more than likely in a dungeon - and subjected to an illegal trial, if it can be called that, in which he was not allowed to speak, found guilty and condemned to death.

The Vita continues -

'About the third hour Piers was led forth from prison; and the Earl of Warwick handed him over bound to the Earl of Lancaster, and Piers, when he saw the earl, cast himself on the ground and besought him, saying, ‘Noble earl, have mercy on me.’ And the earl said, ‘Lift him up, Lift him up. In God’s name let him be taken away.’ The onlookers could not restrain their tears. For who could contain himself on seeing Piers, lately in his martial glory, now seeking mercy in such lamentable straits. Piers was led out of the castle and hastened to the place where he was to suffer the last penalty; and the other earls followed at a distance to see his end, except Count Guy who remained in his castle. '

I am somewhat puzzled as to why Warwick stayed inside his castle.  Did he suffer a pang of guilt?  Or did he fear the wrath of Edward II, and having seized Piers, left Lancaster to carry out the deed on his lands?  He certainly refused to accept the body of Piers when it was brought back to Warwick Castle.  

Due to Piers being married to the Earl of Gloucester's sister, it was decided he should be beheaded, rather than hanged.  Piers must have been grateful for small mercies!  Arriving at Blacklow Hill, Piers was taken ahead to be killed.  Like Warwick, did Lancaster suffer a pang of conscience?  He did not accompany his men, but waited until his men reported they had carried out his orders.  Both Warwick and Lancaster had acted disgracefully, but neither wanted to be present at the moment of their 'triumph'.  They would both unleash the terrible wrath of Edward II - and make sure Aymer de Valence and other members of the nobility would ally themselves with their king.

The Gaveston Cross monument at Blacklow Hill

The inscription on the Gaveston Cross.  Not very pleasant at all, but it does acknowledge the despicable role played by Warwick and Lancaster.

Anne Boleyn blooms......

Today is the anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Anne Boleyn, June 1st 1533.   It was a moment of triumph for Anne, being given an elaborate coronation after waiting to become Henry VIII's wife and Queen of England.   Anne was also heavily pregnant- her daughter Elizabeth would be born early September.  Now, I'm in no way a gardening expert, but I did purchase an Anne Boleyb Rose tree a few years ago.   It usually starts to bud around May 19th, but is never in full flower.  Late this week, the buds broke into their usual beauty pink blooms, and it struck me only then, maybe the roses were meant to flower on Anne's coronation day, not the anniversary of her execution.  That would make much more sense!  Here's 'Anne Boleyn ' in full bloom.

I wonder if there's a Piers Gaveston rose?  Somehow I doubt it - but you never know.

May 19th anniversaries

As usual, every May 19th reminds me of my 2 favourite people from history - Anne Boleyn and Piers Gaveston.

For Anne Boleyn, May 19th was the date of her execution, and I know many of her followers will be at the Tower of London this weekend - unfortunately, I can't make it.  But it's a wonderful opportunity to find fellow sympathisers of Anne, paying their respects.

 The execution monument at the Tower - which is just a monument, as the exact site of the executions it commemorates are unknown - is usually the place for flowers for Anne, although the Yeomen Warders will place them in the chapel if you ask them to.

 My Anne Boleyn Rose tree, though not pictured from today as it's not in flower.

The actress playing Anne Boleyn from the Tower's summer play 2018.  Eerie to think this play was taking place a stone's throw away from the White Tower which Anne must have entered at some point.

As for Piers Gaveston, he surrendered to the Earl of Pembroke, after a failed siege at Scarborough Castle.   No doubt handing himself over to Pembroke after a chivalrous promise seemed a good idea at the time - indeed it was, it's just that Pembroke failed to keep Piers secure.  Below is a photo I took of Scarborough Castle.

St Mary's Church, Warwick

The grave of William Parr, brother of Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII.

The tomb of Thomas Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick.  Below is the only likeness of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, the so-called Kingmaker.   The chapel at St Mary's also contains the tomb of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and his wife Lettice Knollys, as well as Ambrose Dudley, Earl of Warwick, and the child of Robert and Lettice known as 'the noble imp'.    Although Warwick Castle  dominates the town, a visit to St. Mary's is well worth it.

Favourites

Definition of favourite - 

'a person or thing that is preferred to all others of the same kind or is especially well liked.'

This post has been inspired by a post of Kathryn Warner's blog - here  and of course the recent film 'The Favourite', about Queen Anne.  Kathryn rightly makes the claim that Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despencer are always called 'favourites' of Edward, but Roger Mortimer is called Isabella's 'lover.'   Part of it must surely be down to 'tradition' - that it has also been so.   It seems unbelievable to former historians that Queen Isabella could ever have invaded England with an army and allies without there being a sexual element to her relationship with Roger Mortimer.  She could not have possibly have intended to invade England and attempt some sort of reconciliation with her husband ?  That she was in thrall to Roger Mortimer - her puppet master?   Undoubtedly the role women were assigned in the Middle Ages meant that Isabella needed strong, male supporters - but not necessarily a lover.  She was French, and she must have known England would not tolerate a French woman - even their Queen - to usurp the crown from her husband and rule England through her son.  But with strong, male allies she stood an excellent chance.   Throw in historical romance, and we have a poor, deserted Isabella desperate for love and driven away from her evil husband and his favourite into the arms of a virile, handsome lover.  There is of course not a shred of evidence that Isabella and Roger Mortimer were ever lovers, but it's become 'traditional' and the source of good, old romantic history novels.

The 'tradition' of Isabella and her romance is played against Edward and his 'excessive love' of his male favourites.  Again, this is down to tradition - Medieval chroniclers would never dare to refer to Piers or Hugh as the king's lovers - even if they knew.  Instead there are veiled references to 'an evil male sorcerer' and 'the king's brother', and the love between Edward and Piers was like that of 'David and Jonathan'.   Again, we have no concrete evidence that Edward and Piers/Hugh were ever lovers.  Just interpretations and the term 'favourites' which were used in early histories and again, romantic novels.   I purchased a book written in 1899 and repackaged by Walter Phelps Dodge in which Piers Gaveston is described as Edward's 'prime minister' - a post which never existed at the time.

The recent film 'The Favourite' is based on Queen Anne and her 'favourites' - Sarah Churchill and Abigail Hill.  It is made clear in the film that Queen Anne has a sexual relationship with both women.  There is not a shred of evidence she ever did.   In my opinion, the love of Anne's life, George of Denmark, her husband, is totally omitted.  Anne endured 17 pregnancies with her husband, with none of her children surviving her.   So why isn't this film called 'Queen Anne's Lovers'?   Again, it comes down to tradition - anyone who had a strong personal attachment with the monarch was 'a favourite'.    The term was also used to infer if that relationship might have been sexual.

'The Favourites' could easily be a film about Elizabeth 1st and her male favourites.   There are never called her lovers - and yet she displayed jealousies when they married and acted in intimate ways which left her open to accusations of not being the Virgin Queen.  Was that Elizabeth's way of saying 'no matter what my relationships with men look like, there is nothing to them'.   Robert Dudley, Christopher Hatton, Walter Raleigh etc were all in 'high favour', yet none are ever referred to as Elizabeth's lovers, except in discussion about her private life.

For me, I don't think it's purely a case of being 'squeamish  about the idea that some men have sex with other men' as Kathryn recently wrote.  I think it's more to do with habit, tradition, lack of 100% of concrete proof - and good old historical romance, which from the age of 9 I constantly read and then went off and did some research.
  

Review of The Spellbinders by Alearda Zanghellini

I got 'The Spellbinders ' by Alearda Zanghellini just before Christmas.   It's been quite some times since a historical fiction book with Piers Gaveston appears as a main character.   The novel tells the story of Edward II's 'favourites ' Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despencer.  In Zanghellini's notes, he cites Kathryn Warner's work as an influence, and therefore we get an Edward whose love of country pursuits, such as thatching and digging, are immediately made clear.  He's also extremely athletic, enjoying rowing and swimming.  He also comes across as a caring husband and has a sharp wit.  I particularly enjoyed his name for the Ordainers!   

The portrayal of Piers is very positive.  I don't want to give away too much in case of spoilers, but we have a very witty, charming, chivalrous and naturally handsome Piers.   What we don't get are constant run-ins with the nobles and Piers cutting nicknames.  They do appear, but thankfully the author chooses not to dwell on them, and this makes the novel refreshing.  It's purely about the relationship between Edward, Piers, Hugh and Isabella.   There are no jealous tantrums from Isabella.  Instead she sees the charm and chivalrous side of Piers, accepts his friendship with her husband and does not see their relationship as competition.  After all, she is the Queen and Piers is no threat to that.

I do like the portrayal of Piers and his vanity.  We are told in chronicles that his looks, manners and clothes are important to him, which always makes me smile.  I did laugh out loud when the author relates the return of Piers after his third exile when he's been ill, and he worries he may be a bit gaunt, or even worse - sallow!   I also enjoyed reading his tooth brushing regime!

Edward's relationship with Roger Damory and Hugh Audley has a charming twist to it which I won't spoil.  Hugh Despencer's portrayal couldn't be more different from Piers' - and rightly so.   

This is a very good novel about Edward II - his personality is at the heart of the novel.  A definite read for anyone interested in Edward's reign.

January 12th 1312 - birth of Joan Gaveston

January 12th, 1312, saw the birth of  Piers Gaveston's daughter, Joan.   Joan's mother was Piers' wife, Margaret de Clare.  Piers had been exiled late in 1311, when  Margaret was heavily pregnant.   Margaret had accompanied Piers to Ireland for his second exile.  Being so heavily pregnant with their first child, there was no question that Margaret would be able to do so now.   There has been speculation that with the birth imminent, Piers may never have left England at all.  There were rumours that he was merely lying low, with of course the assistance of - who else? - Edward II.    Wherever Piers was, he was soon reunited with Margaret and his newborn daughter, Joan - but not before first being reunited with Edward II first!   All three were in the North of England, and it must have been a happy occasion.  

Best Books Review

Happy New Year to all!   As usual, my first post of the year is a review of the best books of the previous year 2018.   They are my personal choices and my opinions.  Not all will have been published in 2019, it's just that is when I read them.  I try to persevere with every book I start, even though it's sometimes difficult!  2019 have provided me with some real gems and a few disappointments.   

1.  Undoubtedly the best book of the year was Kathryn Warner's 'Blood Roses - the Houses of Lancaster and York before the Wars of the Roses'.   I absolutely LOVED this book!  There are many, many books on the Wars of the Roses, as we now commonly call the medieval civil war.   However Kathryn Warner takes us right back, to the very first Dukes of York and Lancaster, and their amazing links throughout Europe.   There are fascinating characters to meet along the way - particularly Henry of Grosment.    As usual with all Kathryn Warner's work, the research is out-standing.

2.  The  House of Beaufort - Nathen Amin.  A fabulous and detailed read on one of my favourite, complicated historical families!   That they should come from a 'bastard line' and produce a rank outsider Henry Tudor who became king is remarkable.   In particular, the history of Joan Beaufort and her 18 children is both complicated and riveting.  Very well researched and immensely enjoyable to read.

3.   Another of Kathryn Warner's books - 'Hugh Despencer, the Younger and Edward II'.  Again, meticulous research and what I particularly like about this book is that Kathryn Warner doesn't seek to excuse the behaviour and actions of Hugh Despencer, rather she lays bare all that Despencer has done but that doesn't mean everything he's accused of he is guilty of.  Intimidation, piracy and recklessness all apply to him!

4.  The Nevilles of Middleham by K L Clarke.    I've long had an interest in Richard Neville, the so-called Kingmaker and Earl of Warwick.  This book delves into the background of the Neville family in great detail - particularly the history of Maud Stanhope.   At times a little difficult to follow, but with such a family, it's to be expected.  

5.  Best fiction book of the year is 'The First of the Tudors' by Joanna Hickson.  This is a novel about Jasper Tudor, uncle of the future Henry VII.  The story is told from Jasper and his cousin Jane's point of view, and their romantic involvement during perilous times.  I particularly enjoyed the scenes at Pembroke Castle, with Jasper almost in awe of his young sister-in-law, Margaret Beaufort.   Despite the age difference, Jasper puts Margaret on a pedestal, and will do anything to protect her and her son.  His growing love for his cousin Sian/Jane is charmingly told and I couldn't wait to read the next installment.

6.  'The Tudor Crown' by Joanna Hickson is the follow up to 'First of the Tudors'.  Much as I was looking forward to it, it doesn't quite match 'First of..' , mainly because I was expecting - hoping - for the continuation of Jasper Tudor's story.  But it's not to be, for Henry Tudor himself takes the main role, along with his mother Margaret.  Jasper is present but not as a main character.  We know very little of Henry Tudor's early life, so this allows Hickson to invent a moving romance for the young Henry and his life in France and Brittainy.  I shall look forward to the next instalment.

6.  La Reine Blanche - Mary Tudor, a life in letters by Sarah Bryson.  Exactly what it says it is - a fascinating look at the life of Henry VIII's younger sister, Mary Tudor, using primary sources.  I hadn't realised so many of her papers survived.


7.  The White King - Charles 1st, Traitor, Murderer and Martyr by Leander de Lisle - again, does exactly what it says, and gives a balanced recount of the life of Charles 1st. 

8.  A slight cheat here, as I've still to finish this book, and it deserves a post of it's own (to follow).   It's a novel called 'The Spellbinders' by Aleardo Zanghellini - which at the moment, is the best - yes really - novel I've read on Piers Gaveston and Edward II.  Full review will definitely follow!

Biggest disappointment - and it really pains me to write this as Lauren MacKay's previous book, 'Inside the Court of Henry VIII'  was outstanding, but sadly her book 'Among the Wolves of Court: the Untold story of Thomas and George Boleyn' was very slim, and offered nothing new.  I was so looking forward to this book, and was very disappointed.  There are so many books on the Tudors, particularly Henry VIII, and the market is saturated, to be honest.  I expected so much more from Lauren MacKay.