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.