Gaveston – The last roll of the dice!

‘Piers, for you the last toss of the dice!

But the result was really nasty, not at all nice’!

The return of Gaveston in January 1312, although not entirely unexpected, nevertheless did not sit well with the nobility. The king and Gaveston travelled north while the nobles, led by Thomas of Lancaster and Archbishop Robert Winchelsey, planned the arrest of the royal favourite. Gaveston became ill and took refuge at Scarborough castle in Yorkshire, while King Edward went forth gathering forces with which to repel Lancaster’s army. Scarborough castle was promptly besieged by Alymer de Valence, the Earl of Pembroke and in May, Gaveston surrendered on the understanding that he would not be harmed.

Alymer de Valence.

Pembroke took his prisoner south and had the errant favourite ensconced in congenial quarters at Deddington, Oxfordshire. The Earl, a true knight and adherent of the old chivalric code, was undoubtedly sincere in his guarantee of Gaveston’s safety. Pembroke would keep his word and Gaveston knew it. However, other nobles were unencumbered by such principles, they wished Gaveston dead and swiftly. One of these was the Earl of Warwick, who on June 10th abducted Gaveston from Deddington and had him transported under humiliating conditions to Warwick castle.

There Warwick, with the connivance of the Earls of Arundel, Hereford and Lancaster decided that Gaveston should be executed. The doomed Gaveston frantically begged for his life at the feet of Lancaster, but to no avail.

‘Gaveston was brought forth to Blacklow Hill!

There two Celts awaited to carry out this greatly desired kill!’

On June 19th 1312 the dastardly deed was carried out at Blacklow Hill by two Welsh soldiers, with Lancaster watching from a distance.

Thomas Plantagenet, 2nd Earl of Lancaster.

Gaveston was slain with a sword, and his head was then severed from his torso and presented to Lancaster.

‘Thomas of Lancaster watched Gaveston’s grisly demise from a distance away!

The greater part of England erupted in cheers and proclaimed June 19th to have been a great day!’

The greater part of England did not include the embodiment of the nation, the king himself. King Edward, when he learned of Gaveston’s death, was beside himself with grief and fury and vowed revenge upon those responsible.

‘Oh Piers, sweet Piers, in life you were the brightest star!

The true one that not even the foulest insult could ever mar!

My heart and mind is now consumed with the bitterest bile!

When I think of the dogs who committed this act so vile!’

Few doubted that this now meant civil war, and indeed Edward appeared bent on it. However, fate and the force of events can, and will, alter the course of action that men have resolutely planned to pursue. In this respect, King Edward I was no exception, as the immediate post-Gaveston era would reveal.