June 19th - anniversary of the death of Piers Gaveston

 

Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall, was taken from Warwick Castle by Edward II's cousin, Thomas of Lancaster on June 19th 1312.  Undoubtedly he knew what his fate would be.  Having surrendered to the Earl of Pembroke on May 19th  at Scarborough Castle, Piers must have been hopeful that a solution could be reached to his presence in England.  He had returned - illegally - at the start of the year, most likely to be present at the birth of his daughter Joan Gaveston, and no doubt because Edward II could not bear for him to be absent.  The Earl of Pembroke was an honourable man, and had sworn to protect Piers whilst in his custody.  However, whilst away visiting his wife for the night at Bampton, Pembroke left Piers with a few armed guards at Deddington Priory.  Piers had made too many enemies, and Guy, Earl of Warwick, was waiting his chance.  Either he had spies or he had been shadowing Pembroke.  He seized his chance, and whilst Pembroke was away, 'kidnapped' Piers, and took him to his castle at Warwick.  According to chronicles of the time, he removed Piers' belt of knighthood, and made him walk on foot as far as possible, before providing a lowly horse, all to humiliate Piers.  I can only assume being called the 'black hound of Arden' must have stung Warwick to the core.  Undoubtedly he was jealous of Piers - jealous of his Earldom, his marriage to the King's niece and his bond with Edward.  Likewise, Thomas of Lancaster must have felt the same.  Piers was thrown into a dungeon - not accorded the accomodation he should have had as an Earl.  There was no doubt what Warwick and Lancaster intended.  There was no attempt to bargain with the King, who was no doubt frantic, as was Pembroke, who appealed to Piers brother-in-law, the young Gilbert of Gloucester, who did nothing to help him.  The Great Hall at Warwick still survives, and this is where Piers had his 'trial'.  A 'trial' in which he wasn't allowed to speak, and condemned to death.   Warwick was too much of a coward to allow it to take place on his land, and handed over Piers to Lancaster who marched him to Blacklow Hill, and then handed him over to some Welsh soldiers.  That Warwick and Lancaster failed to actually watch the 'execution' suggests they may have felt some guilt over what they had done.  The chronicles say that one soldier ran Piers through with a sword, and another cut off his head, carrying it to show Lancaster that it had been done.   And then they left Piers - head and body - at Blacklow Hill.  Warwick refused to admit the body to his castle, and it was left to some Dominican friars to care for the remains of Piers.  I can't help wondering if Piers thought they just might be a chance of a reprieve.  That Edward would come to his rescue.  That Warwick and Lancaster would not dare to carry out their threat.  But there was no reprieve.  What Warwick and Lancaster could not have realised was that by killing Piers, they had ignited the wrath of Edward II - and paved the way for a far more fearsome favourite that would bring England to it's knees.  

The Earl of Gloucester, who stood by and did nothing to help Piers, was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn when he recklessly rode into the battle without his colours.  It was rumoured Warwick may have been poisoned, but he did not live long enough to enjoy his 'triumph', whilst Lancaster faced the King's revenge and was executed himself, in a parody to what he had done to Piers.  The Earl of Pembroke united solidly behind Edward II.  At Blacklow Hill, a monument was erected in 1823 to record what had happened there.

Scarborough Castle, where Piers surrendered, May 19th, 1312.