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
