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