February 1312 - a time of happiness for Piers Gaveston

 February 1312 saw Piers Gaveston experiencing great happiness in his personal life.   Granted, he was supposed to still be in exile, but he was in fact back in England(indeed he may never have left England, merely staying hidden).   This was due to his wife, Margaret de Clare giving birth to their first - and only - child, Joan.  Joan had been born in January, and in February, Margaret followed the tradition of churching, and to celebrate this Edward II spent £40.  No doubt Edward II was just as delighted as Piers at the birth of Joan - it meant Piers returned from exile and the birth of Joan brought Piers closer in family.  

The celebrations for Joan's birth took place in York.  It seems Edward and Piers decided the North was the best place to distance themselves from the nobility who were no doubt infuriated  by the return of Piers.  Maybe Edward and Piers hoped that the birth of Joan would encourage the nobles to be more accepting of Piers.  According to the chronicle of the Vita Edwardi Secundi, the whole idea of marrying Piers to his niece was Edward's way 'to strengthen Piers and surround him with friends'.  Margaret was the niece of Edward II, and her brother was Gilbert de Clare, the powerful 8th Earl of Gloucester.  Gilbert had spent much of his youth with Edward and Piers, and did not oppose the marriage of his sister Margaret to Piers.  However, by 1311, Gilbert was involved in the banishing of Piers as one of the Lord Ordainers.  He may have been pressured into this by other Lord Ordainers, such as Guy of Warwick and Thomas of Lancaster.   Perhaps Edward hoped the birth would bring about reconciliation - or at least force Gilbert to support Piers being back in England.