The Marriage Contract of Edward II and Isabella of France

 The story of Edward II's marriage contract to Isabella of France is a fascinating one.  It's been held in the archives in Swansea Council/University of Swansea.   It's never been on show at any of the museums in Swansea.   The story of the document is quite fantastical, I think.  It was given to a Doctor in the 19th Century by a farmer in lieu of money for treatment.  The mystery is, how did the farmer get it?  The story says he has had it in his family for many years, but unable to explain how it came into his family.  At long last, Swansea Council has put up an article on the document - click on the links below to read all about it.

The Marriage contract         

It's place in the archives    

The document and translation

You can also download the document and translation.    Although the article says Edward sent his goods and documentation to Swansea Castle, it's my understanding they were kept at Neath Abbey, a couple of miles from Swansea Castle.  Over the years, many coins from Edward's time have been discovered hidden away.  It's also been established that many of his goods were stolen when he fled Neath Abbey.

A photo from  the Victorian era which shows the document with seals attached.

The Fate of Edward II by Kathryn Warner

 This Saturday, October 7th, the author Kathryn Warner will be in Ludlow, at the assembly rooms, to discuss what may have been the fate of Edward II.   Unfortunately I won’t be able to attend this event, but I believe it will be available on Zoom or possible appear online at some point.  Kathryn will be the guest speaker of The Mortimer Society.   One thing for sure, there will be no mention of red hot pokers, thankfully!  For more information, click on this Link

Palace Lives by Michael Long

 

This month sees the publication of a fabulous and informative book about the palace of Kings Langley.  It's called 'Palace Lives' and is written by Michael Long.  I was very fortunate to be a sent a copy of the book by the author.   It’s an excellent read, revealing how the Palace came to be built and its use as a royal nursery.  The property and land came into the hands of Edward 1st’s wife and Queen, Eleanor of Castile, and her influence growing up in Castile was found at the Palace at Langley.  It was due to Eleanor that the Dominican friars were able to establish themselves - she favoured them and employed them as tutors to her children.  Langley was chosen as the royal nursery because of its proximity to London.  It was a day’s ride from the Palace of Westminster.   

Eleanor had 14 children, and her first born son was called Alfonso, and if he had lived, we would have had King Alfonso 1st.   He didn’t, and it was Eleanor and Edward 1st’s fourth son, called Edward of Caernarfon, with him Langley is most associated.  Long gives a sympathetic account of Edward, who was gifted the Palace after the death of his mother.  We learn the surroundings at Langley meant that Edward was able to indulge his rustic pursuits such as digging ditches and thatching, alongside those whose profession it was.  It was also at Langley that Edward was able to be free to enjoy the company of his favourite, Piers Gaveston.  It was at Langley that we have the first recorded mention of them being together, when accounts show that Edward granted Piers oats and cheese.  Even after Edward became King Edward II, he continued to spend time at King’s Langley and with Piers Gaveston.  They even spent Christmas there.

Long gives detailed descriptions of how the palace was constructed- the King and Queen’s royal apartments, the solar, the chamber for Alfonso, a huge moat, and main hall.  There was also a vineyard and hunting park.  We also find out about those who constructed the Palace, and those who worked there.  What their duties were and how their lives were lived.  It makes fascinating reading.

So important was King’s Langley that Edward II chose it as the final resting place for Piers Gaveston and built him a fine tomb there.  Edward arranged for masses to be said for his soul regularly, and continued to visit.  It was also chosen as the resting place of another king, Richard II, and Long gives an incisive account of his reign.  The Palace then passed into the hands of Edmund of Langley, born there  to Edward III and his Queen Philippa of Hainault.  Edmund of Langley would go on to be the first Duke of York.

It’s such a shame that King’s Langley was allowed to deteriorate and disappear bit by bit.  What Michael Long has done is to bring it back to life, with a well researched book on a once splendid palace , with the royal family and the people who lived there.  I am also pleased to say, his research into the Palace and priory goes on,  and who knows what he may uncover?

Battle of Bosworth August 22nd 1485

 August 22nd is the anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.   It’s often called the last battle of the so called Wars of the Roses, although it was the battle of Stoke in 1487 that truly ended it.  I have been very lucky to visit the battlefield centre twice.  It is well worth a visit, offering a fascinating insight of what happened that day.   It even addresses the problem of actually pin pointing where the battle took place.  It’s amazing to think that the actual site of a battle of such importance, which saw the death of a king and the start of the Tudor dynasty,  is unknown.  Research is still taking place to identify the precise area of the battle.   If you visit the battlefield centre, you’ll understand why.  It’s very difficult to visit unless you have a car and the area is vast.  To find out more about the site of the battle, visit the centre’s website here

One of the most important finds at Bosworth, a silver boar, badge of Richard III.

Kings, car parks.........and Piers?

 The story of the search and discovery for the remains of Richard III in a Leicester car park is the stuff of dreams.  It's already creating it's own legend, that Richard was found in a carpark under the letter R - which is not true (the R bit).  Much of the painstaking research was carried out by the late historian, and Ricardian fanatic, John Ashdown Hill, although much of the praise is given to Philippa Langley.  I had been brought up to believe that Richard's remains were dug up, and thrown into a nearby river, and his stone coffin used as a water rough for horses in the 1700s.  Ashdown Hill, though, was convinced otherwise and his research showed he was right.  In a simple sentence, there was confusion over 'Grey friars' and 'Black friars' and the reading of a Leicester map.  It has of course led others to wonder about the remains of other lost royal tombs.  Although in my case, I was intrigued by the lost tomb of Piers Gaveston.

I have always wondered about Piers Gaveston' s lost tomb since my University days in Reading.  I knew that the old palace of King's Langley was near Reading, and that there had been a Dominican priory nearby.  Edward II had strong memories and an attachment to King's Langley.  It's where his parents established the royal nursery, and where Edward probably met Piers for the first time, when he was sent to serve as a squire to Edward, chosen for his chivalrous nature and graceful manners.  When Piers died, Edward built him a fine tomb at the established Dominican priory.  At University, I discovered that neither the palace or friary existed.  All that was left was the name of the village, King's Langley, and some ruins.  Subsequently, a school was built on the site.  I've always had a feeling that the tomb of Piers, or rather the remains, lay undiscovered somewhere around that school.  And if I ever won the lottery, I would definitely set out to try and find it.  Below is a sketch of the priory ruin in the 1840's and a photograph from today - both from Wikipedia.

The remains for Edward II's Queen, Isabella, are also lost, as are those of King Stephen.  At Reading, there was always talk of the remains of Henry Ist lay undiscovered.  Henry had built a magnificent abbey at Reading, and it was hugely important at it's time.  Of course Henry VIII put paid to it's survival during the Dissolution of the Monasteries.  It's somehow satisfying to learn that none of Henry's children carried out his plans for an elaborate tomb for him at Windsor Castle, and he lies underneath a marble slab in a vault in St George's Chapel. 

Henry Ist was buried near the front of the high altar at Reading, with his Queen, Adeliza.  During the summer months, a team calling themselves the Hidden Abbey Project, will attempt to map out the Abbey and locate the high altar and hopefully Henry's remains.  Built on most of the site is yet another school, and Reading Gaol and it's car park.  Will lightening strike twice?  and if so, will there be other projects launched to find other lost royal or important tombs?  I certainly hope so!  

June 19th 1312 - the end for Piers Gaveston

 June 19th marks the anniversary of the death of Piers Gaveston.  Was it an execution or murder?  In my opinion it was a murder dressed up as execution.   Having surrendered at Scarborough Castle in May, Piers was put into the custody of the Earl of Pembroke, who swore on his honour to protect Piers.  But for Guy, Earl of Warwick, and Edward II's cousin Thomas of Lancaster, only the death of Piers would suffice.  We don't know whose idea it was - whether Warwick acted alone and then alerted Lancaster, or whether they plotted it together, but Piers was snatched from Pembroke's custody and taken to Warwick Castle.  Warwick did everything he could to humiliate Piers on the way, making him walk with his hands tied, and then put him on a mule the rest of the way.  He was stripped of his Earl's belt, and jeered by the crowds.  Once at Warwick he was thrown into a dungeon.  He was given a hasty trial - if you could call it that - and Piers was forbidden to speak.  There could only be one verdict, as Lancaster swore there could be no peace in England while Piers lived.  Warwick must have relished telling Piers the outcome.  According to one chronicle,  he sent a sharp-tongued message to Piers, telling him to look to his soul, because this was the last day he would see on earth.   (Piers replied)  'Oh! Where are the presents that brought me so many intimate friends, and with which I had thought to have sufficient power?  Where are my friends, in whom was my trust, the protection of my body, and the whole hope of my safety.......They has promised to stand by me in war, to suffer imprisonment, and not to shun death.  Indeed my pride, the arrogance that one single promise of theirs is nourished, the king's favour and the king's court, have brought me to this sorry plight.  I have no help, every remedy is vain, let the will of the earls be done'.

Hmmm, can't quite imagine Piers saying that.   He knew his downfall was due to the jealousy of the likes of Warwick and Lancaster, and they were hastening his death before Edward II could try and either rescue Piers or make a yet another deal to keep Piers safe.  Edward himself lamented that he had warned Piers not to fall into Warwick's hands, but he could hardly have avoided it.

Monument to Piers Gaveston at Blacklow Hill, Leek Wootton

Anne Boleyn’s Coronation

 June 1st 1533 Anne Boleyn is crowned Queen of England.  At last my Anne Boleyn rose has come into bloom.  Very late this year.

King Piers?

 May 6th 2023 saw the Coronation of King Charles III.  For many people, including myself, the Coronation was the first one I'd ever seen.  Naturally, it led back to thinking about previous coronations - not least, Edward II.   The Coronation chair, covered in graffiti, was built by Edward Ist, his father.  It wasn't built for Coronation purposes though.  Edward Ist had it built to house the Stone of Scone, which he took from Scotland in 1296.  In 1300, he ordered a magnificent chair to be built to enclose the precious stone.  However, it wasn't until Henry IV used it in 1399 that it was used  for Coronations.

Edward II's Coronation caused controversy - and it was down to Piers Gaveston - Earl of Cornwall.  Even being the Earl of Cornwall was controversial.  At the time Piers was given the title, there was jealousy amongst the nobility.  Then followed Piers' marriage to the king's niece, Margaret de Clare, and Piers was left as Regent when Edward went to France to bring back his bride, the 12 year old Isabella.  So who better to take the lead role in the Coronation?  I get the feeling that if Edward could have crowned Piers, he would have!  The Chroniclers were in shock at the elevation of Piers.  The Vita Edwardi Secundi wrote 'What an astonishing thing, he who was lately an exile and outcast from England has now been made governor and keeper of the same land'.   The chronicler went on to call Piers a 'second king', whilst another chronicler, the St Paul's annalist said there 'were two king reigning,.....one in name and the other in deed'.

The date set was February 18th 1308.  However, it was delayed until February 25th,  allegedly because the Archbishop of Canterbury was not in the country to perform the crowning.  However, according to the Annales Paulini, it was delayed because of Piers Gaveston.  The English and French nobility were furious that Edward wanted Piers to play an important role in the Coronation - and they were jealous and outraged.  Edward would not give way - he would not give in to demands that Piers be banished from the Coronation.  Edward no doubt expected the nobility to be as charmed as he was by Piers at some point in the future.  Piers dressed in royal purple and wore numerous pearls for the Coronation, and one chronicler says he looked magnificent, 'like the God Mars'.  And no, it wasn't written by Edward!

Piers played 3 major parts in the Coronation.  Thomas of Lancaster, the King's cousin, carried the sword Curtana into Westminster Abbey.  The sword stood for mercy and justice, and it was Piers who took it from Thomas and carried it.  He also carried the crown of St Edward for the King to be crowned, and then finally attached the spur to the left foot of Edward after the Earl of Pembroke placed a boot upon it.  All these were highly honoured roles in the ceremony and jealousy guarded by the nobles.  They were furious Piers had been at the heart of the Coronation ceremony.  And they were even more appalled at the behaviour of Edward and Piers at the Coronation banquet.  But that's a post for another day.

Sources - Piers Gaveston, JS Hamilton, Edward II, Seymour Phillips

Remembering William Shakespeare

 Stratford Upon Avon is one of my favourite places to visit.  I try to go every year!  It is almost the 'perfect Tudor town'.  William Shakespeare was born and baptised on April 26th 1564, and died April 23rd 1616.  We  actually know very little about Shakespeare's life in Stratford, but visiting Stratford, you can see the house where he was born, the school he attended, the remains of the house that he retired to and the Church, Trinity Church, where he and his family are buried.  You can also visit Croft Hall, the house where his daughter Susanna lived.  Just outside Stratford, you can visit his wife Anne Hathaway's Cottage and the farm where his mother's family lived - Mary Arden's farm.  As it's April, I thought I'd share my photos of the birthplace in Henley Street and Holy Trinity Church.

Below is the birthplace of Shakespeare.  It's been very much extended over the years.

The 'birth room' of Shakespeare - although of course we don't know for certain if this is the actual room.

The monument at Holy Trinity Church for William Shakespeare.

Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare, and his family, are buried.  You can easily visit all the places associated with Shakespeare in Stratford in a day. 

Remembering Thomas Cranmer

 Tudor history is extremely popular, and with Wolf Hall, Thomas Cromwell has come to prominence .  He is appreciated as an astute politician and a 'more human' person.  He has become 'flesh and blood'.  I've always admired Cromwell the politician.  What he achieved to give Henry VIII his 'divorce' and begin reform of the Church in England was very impressive.  However, the achievements of Thomas Cranmer have somewhat faded.  What Cromwell achieved in Parliament, Cranmer achieved in the Church.  He started out as the Boleyn family's chaplain, and rose to become Archbishop of Canterbury.  He introduced the Bok of Common Prayer.  He showed loyalty to both Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell when they fell.   He managed to survive the cut throat politics of Henry VIIII's court, and was a loyal servant to Henry and his son Edward VI.  But he could not survive the wrath of Mary Tudor, and was burnt at the stake March 21st 1556 in Oxford.  

Piers Gaveston's Opening Speech from Christopher Marlowe's play Edward II

 My father is deceas'd. Come, Gaveston,

And share the kingdom with thy dearest friend.

Ah, words that make me surfeit with delight!

What greater bliss can hap to Gaveston

Than live and be the favourite of a king!

Sweet prince, I come! these, thy amorous lines

Might have enforc'd me to have swum “from France,

And, like Leander, gasp'd upon the sand,

So thou wouldst smile, and take me in thine arms.

The sight of London to my exil'd eyes

Is as Elysium to a new-come soul:

Not that I love the city or the men,

But that it harbours him I hold so dear,—

The king, upon whose bosom let me lie,

And with the world be still at enmity.

What need the arctic people love star-light,

To whom the sun shines both by day and night?

Farewell base stooping to the lordly peers!

My knee shall bow to none but to the king.

As for the multitude, that are but sparks,

Rak'd up in embers of their poverty,—

Tanti,—I'll fawn first on the wind,

That glanceth at my lips, and flieth away.

The official title of Christopher Marlowe's play about Edward II was 'The Troublesome reign and Lamentable Death of Edward II, King of England, and the Tragical Fall of Proud Mortimer'.  It was first published in 1594.  I have been fortunate to see a couple of productions, set in the period of the time and modern day.  The opening speech sets the tone of the whole play.  Piers Gaveston has been banished by Edward's father, Edward Ist, and the play opens with his death and Piers receiving a letter from a besotted Edward, now King.  It is true that one of Edward II's first acts on becoming king was to recall Piers.   The relationship between Edward and Piers is made obvious from this opening speech, with Piers referring to himself as Leander.  Leander was a classical character from Greek mythology, who fell in love with Hero, a priestess of Aphrodite.  To meet with her in secret, Leander would have to swim to her.  Clearly, Piers sees himself returning to London to meet with his lover, Edward.  His intention is also to never bow and scrape to anyone else at court - and to be a thorn in their side and lead the king astray with his love of finery and frivolous activities such as poetry, music and masques.  

To read an excellent critique of the play, click here

Best Books of 2022

 Here are my best reads of 2022.  Not all my choices were published in 2022 and they are in no particular order.

1.  So High  Blood - The Life of Margaret, Countess of Lennox, by Morgan Ring.  This is a superb biography of the woman best remembered to history as the mother of Henry, Lord Darnley.  She led a fascinating but ultimately tragic life, losing her 2 sons, her beloved husband - a genuine love match - and her granddaughter, Arabella.   

2.  John of Gaunt, by Kathryn Warner.  As usual, with her previous books, this is an extremely well researched biography of one of history’s most prominent  and powerful Dukes.

3.  The Forgotten Tudor Women - Margaret Douglas, Mary Howard and Mary Shelton, by S B Soberton    A real gem of a book that I stumbled on accidentally.  The three women’s lives are intertwined, particularly in their service of Anne Boleyn and their appreciation of ‘courtly love’, all contributing to the Devonshire manuscript.

4.  The Forgotten Tudor Women - Anne Seymour, Jane Dudley and Elizabeth Parr, again by S B Soberton.  Particularly enjoyed the story of Anne Seymour, although not enough of her early life is known.

5.  Sex and Sexuality in Medieval England, again by Kathryn Warner.  Previously blogged about this book.

6.  Crown and Sceptre by Tracy Borman  A concise but packed with research on British monarchs.

7.  Henry VIII in 100 Objects by Paul Kendall - objects range from portraits, palaces, tombs and documents, packed with fabulous photographs and descriptions and explanations.

8.  ‘‘Twas the Night before Tudor Christmas’ by Laura Loney.  Bought for me as a gift, this is a mixture of fun and facts, based around a Tudor Christmas.  There are explanations of Tudor Christmas traditions, craft projects, recipes and explanations of Tudor games.  Loved it!

9.  Matilda by Catherine Hanley - having read The White Ship by Charles Spencer, I wanted to read more on Matilda.   Undoubtedly confined by the expectations of women in the 12th Century, Matilda proved herself a formidable stateswoman and strong leader.  If only she had defeated Stephen of Blois and taken up her rightful position as ruler of England.  We still would have had Henry II and the Angevin dynasty ruling England, but we’ll never know how great a ruler she would have made.

10. Portraits of Shakespeare by Katherine Duncan Jones.  So much discussion and debate about Shakespeare and the authorship of his plays - and even if he ever existed.  Really colourful book looks at representations of William Shakespeare in monuments, sketches and portraits.