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.