Execution of Piers Gaveston 1312

walwyn Fri, 08/24/2012 - 20:27
Sunday, June 19, 1312

On the 19th of June 1312 [no-glossary]Piers Gaveston[/no-glossary], 1st Earl of Cornwall was taken from Warwick Castle, by Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, to Blacklow Hill, where he was handed over to two Welshmen, one of which ran him through with a sword, whilst the other cut off his head.1

Piers Gaveston had been captured at Deddington Oxfordshire on the 10th of June by Guy de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, and taken to Warwick Castle where he was imprisoned until the earls of Lancaster, Hereford, and Arundel arrived and agreed on Piers execution.1

The trial was held by William Inge and Henry Spigurnel, two judges that were in Warwick at the time. Having previously been declared a traitor and banished by the Lords Ordainers, Piers was condemned to death. After the execution and Lancaster having been shown the head, the earls separated. Gaveston's body was taken to Oxford by the Dominican friars who sewed his head back on.1

Edward II had Gaveston's body embalmed and dressed in gold cloth, the body remained in Oxford until December 1314, when it was taken to Edward's palace at Kings Langley and in January 1315 buried in the Dominican Priory. Meanwhile Edward had resolved to avenge the death of his favourite, and overturn the Ordinances.2

 

In the 19th century a monument was erected on the place of execution. The inscription reads

 

In the hollow of this rock
Was beheaded,
On the 1st day of July 1312,
By Barons lawless as himself,
PIERS GAVESTON, Earl of Cornwall;
Minion of a hateful king:
In life and death,
A Memoriable Instance of Misrule.