Friday 8 March 2024

Guest post by Kathryn Warner

 I'm delighted to welcome a guest post by author Kathryn Warner.   I've known Kathryn for a number of years and I sent her some questions about the relationship between Edward II and Piers Gaveston.  Enjoy!

We hear that Edward 1st gathered together household for his son, including cousins of the young prince.  Why was Piers Gaveston included - was he of the same prestige of others or was he chosen as a suitable role model?  And what made him stand out amongst the other young men of the household?

 

Piers Gaveston's presence in Edward II's household up until 1307, when Edward was heir to the throne, has often been misunderstood. In Piers' own lifetime and ever since, there has been a frequent but erroneous assumption that he was lowborn, and one novel of the twenty-first century, for example, depicts him as a child prostitute who was the nephew and ward of an inn-keeper. There is not a single solitary chance that Edward I would ever have dreamed of placing such a person close to his son and heir; the very idea is laughably absurd. Piers' presence as one of the future king of England's companions is proof that he was of high noble birth, and indeed, Piers' father and grandfathers were among the leading barons of Piers' native BĂ©arn in the far southwest of France (this part of France was ruled by the kings of England at the time, and it would be inaccurate to call Piers a Frenchman). Edward II's other companions in childhood and adolescence included the earl of Ulster's daughter Eleanor de Burgh, whose sisters became the queen of Scotland and the countesses of Gloucester, Desmond, Kildare and Louth; the earl of Gloucester's nephew Gilbert de Clare, lord of Thomond; Maud Chaworth, granddaughter of the earl of Warwick and daughter and heir of a baron, who married Edward's royal cousin Henry of Lancaster in 1297; and probably Maud's younger half-brother Hugh Despenser the Younger, who married Edward's eldest niece in 1306. By 1305, Piers Gaveston and Gilbert de Clare of Thomond (who died in his twenties shortly after Edward II succeeded to the throne in 1307) had become the future king's closest companions. Although his year of birth is unknown, Piers was slightly older than Edward II, and took part in military campaigns from his early or mid-teens onwards. It is possible, therefore, that Edward I placed Piers, as a somewhat older nobleman and an accomplished soldier, in his son's household to act as a role model and mentor to the future king of England.


We’re told that Edward and Piers swore some sort of oath, which has been open to interpretation- one being it was a chivalric oath.  This seems unlikely to me.  What do you think?

 

Various chroniclers of the fourteenth century state that Edward II referred to Piers Gaveston as 'my brother Piers', and the idea that the two men took an oath of brotherhood was discussed at length by Pierre Chaplais in a 1994 book titled Piers Gaveston: Edward II's Adoptive Brother. We will never know for certain exactly what happened between Edward and Piers in private or what kind of relationship they had, but I agree with you that 'adoptive brotherhood' is perhaps unlikely. It seems almost certain that Edward did refer to Piers in public as his brother, but we should bear in mind that he lived in a world where it would have been impossible for him to acknowledge Piers as his partner or lover. Perhaps publicly calling Piers his 'brother' was Edward's way of presenting their close attachment in a way that would be acceptable by the standards of the era in which they lived.

 

I do think there's something of an issue with the way a few modern writers have depicted Edward's relationships with Piers Gaveston and with other men after Piers' death, compared to the way they write about the relationship that Edward's queen Isabella of France had with Roger Mortimer in the second half of the 1320s. Isabella and Roger's association has been over-romanticised to a ludicrous extent, and it's almost always taken for granted that the two had a passionately sexual, mutually adoring partnership. Yet there's really no more evidence that they were physical lovers than there is for the possibility, or likelihood, that Edward II and Piers, or Edward and Hugh Despenser the Younger a few years later, were lovers. You would never know this, however, from the way Roger Mortimer is inevitably described as Isabella's lover, as though we have webcam footage of the two in bed together. The same writers tend to claim that Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despenser were Edward's favouritse, friends, allies, associates or minions, but almost never do they state that they were his lovers. To me, it often comes across as the erasure of same-sex relationships, whether intentional or not, and the burden of proof demanded to state that Edward and Piers might have been lovers reaches an almost impossibly high standard. By contrast, it is usually taken for granted, without any real evidence required, that Isabella and Roger, an opposite-sex pair, simply must have been passionately in love and there cannot be any other explanation for their association.


You’ve written about the relationship between Edward, Piers and Isabella of France, (most notably about the youth of Isabella making her of little interest to her husband sexually and intellectually) - so why do you think Piers was made the villain of the coronation?  The stories circulating about his and Edward’s banners being prominently on show, Edward spending too much time at the coronation banquet with Piers, thus humiliating Isabella, and most notoriously, Piers being given all the wedding gifts?

 

Piers was loathed in his own lifetime for reasons that are hard to explain. Yes, he was the beloved of the king of England, and envy surely goes some way to explaining why he was so deeply unpopular, but the things we know that he did don't really seem to merit the utter opprobrium he attracted. It does appear, however, that Piers had a real talent for rubbing people up the wrong way. A contemporary chronicle called the Vita Edwardi Secundi states on several occasions that Piers was supercilious, conceited and arrogant, and bore himself in ways that would have been unbearable enough even if he had been a king's son. 

 

It's true that Edward II behaved rather badly at his and Isabella's coronation banquet, which took place on 25 February 1308 exactly a month after the royal couple's wedding, but the whole thing has often been hugely exaggerated. Isabella was only 12 when she married Edward and was crowned queen of England and was eleven years her husband's junior, and she and Edward hardly knew each other in February 1308. They might both have been shy and not known how to talk to one another or how and where to find common ground, and perhaps it was very awkward at the banquet with all eyes on them. Perhaps Isabella preferred to talk to her French relatives who were present, not knowing when (or even if) she might see them again. Perhaps Edward and Piers became engrossed in a conversation and lost track of time. Yet it's usually assumed that he acted maliciously and deliberately insulted Isabella by obviously preferring to talk to his close friend, or lover, than to her.

 

I can imagine, though, that the French people present at the coronation banquet, including Isabella, were taken aback to see Piers Gaveston's coat of arms adorning the walls, as though Piers and not Isabella was Edward's consort. To do that was supremely tactless and rude on Edward's part, and was something he should not have done. I doubt he meant it as a deliberate insult to his new wife, however. He'd ordered the banners a few months earlier, long before he'd ever met Isabella and when she was perhaps not quite real to him yet, not so much a person and an individual as the faceless girl he'd been betrothed to years earlier as a means of ending a war between their fathers. What's more interesting to me isn't so much the way that Edward behaved during the coronation banquet, but the over-the-top way that so many modern writers have depicted it, as though it's the worst thing that anyone's ever done to anyone. 

 

The idea that Edward gave Isabella's wedding gifts or jewels to Piers is endlessly repeated in modern books, articles and online, but is absolute nonsense, an invention of many centuries later. One chronicle states that Edward sent - sent, not gave - the wedding presents given to him by his father-in-law Philip IV of France to Piers Gaveston in England. Isabella isn't even mentioned; the gifts were given to Edward alone, not to Isabella, and not to Edward and Isabella jointly; and it's likely that Edward sent them to Piers, his regent of England during his absence overseas, to look after and keep safely for him. Even if Edward did intend Piers to keep the gifts, which included war-horses, they belonged to Edward and Edward alone, and he could do what he liked with them. It's ludicrous that so many modern writers keep mindlessly repeating a myth invented in the late nineteenth century, gasping in horror at the thought of poor victimised Isabella seeing her husband's lover strutting around in her own jewels, but it's pure fabrication.

 

It's as though because Edward and Isabella's marriage ended badly in the 1320s - many years after Piers Gaveston was dead - people think that their relationship must have been a tragic disaster from start to finish. Isabella must have been unhappy for every minute of her marriage. Edward must always have neglected and hurt and insulted his wife for every minute of their marriage. This has a narrative that has been created, that's all. A one-dimensional, simplistic narrative, where complex people in a complex relationship are incapable of feeling more than one emotion for the person who was their spouse for the best part of two decades. In the interests of perpetuating this narrative, however, every single tiny thing in Edward and Isabella's lives that wasn't perfect in every way has been magnified and distorted. 

We’ll never know, of course, but I’d like to ask your opinion, had Piers not been kidnapped and put to death by Guy of Warwick and Thomas of Lancaster, would his influence have been maintained over Edward or would it waned?  And how far would he have continued to climb?  

 

I can't imagine that Piers' influence over Edward and Edward's obviously strong feelings for him would have waned and lessened, but equally I can't imagine an alternative reality that wouldn't have ended in Piers' death at some point. Let's imagine that Guy Beauchamp, earl of Warwick, hadn't kidnapped Piers in June 1312, an act that ended in Piers' death shortly afterwards. Parliament would most probably have ended up exiling Piers from England and Edward's other dominions for the fourth time, Edward would have sulked and stormed for a while and eventually brought Piers back to England, and the whole cycle would have gone on again until Piers was dead, killed by the exasperated English barons. Given the attitude towards Piers in 1312, I cannot see a way in which his life could have continued for much longer, unless he'd willingly gone overseas and ignored Edward's summons to him to come back, and had never returned to England.

 

 

Saturday 10 February 2024

New Book about Edward II by Kathryn Warner

 I'm really looking forward to the publication of Kathryn Warner's new book, 'Edward II: His Sexuality and Relationships'.   It's due to be published at the end of February.  Obviously there will be a reference to his relationship with Piers Gaveston.   We don't know what the exact relationship between Edward and Piers was like.  Pierre Chaplais wrote a book entitled 'Piers Gaveston - Edward II's Adoptive Brother'.  Chaplais explores the relationship as one of chivalrous intent - that Edward wanted Piers to be his brother and that they took some sort of oath declaring this intent.   It's a very interesting read and interpretation.  I just wonder, if this was Edward's intent, why did he choose Piers Gaveston?  Yes, Gaveston had been sent to the Prince's household for his graceful manners and military skills.  Edward 1st considered him a role model for his son, and knew the family of Piers well.  But there were other young role models for the Prince in his household at the same time, notably, his cousin, Gilbert de Clare.  Surely he would have been more suitable as an 'adoptive brother'?  And did Edward really need an adoptive brother anyway?  And why not an 'adoptive brotherhood', with more than one member?  Piers was banished by Edward 1st after, apparently, his son had asked for the county of Ponthieu for Piers, which caused Edward 1st to explode with anger, and according to one chronicler, physically assault his son and banish Piers.  It was notable that the king did not blame Piers but rather his son.  Piers was to be banished for life.  Was Edward 1st aware of the 'adoptive brother' oath, and furious with his son for wanting to single out one of his household, and one who was not blood related, for such a special honour?  Did he find the whole idea of a chivalrous pact absurd?  Or was he aware of a sexual relationship between the 2, and that by asking for Ponthieu, the Prince was showing himself to openly raise his lover above anyone else, and that by asking for such a mighty prize for Piers, that far from raising Piers up because of an adoptive pact, he wanted to elevate him because of his love for him?  It would be a very bold step for the Prince.  Maybe the King thought it was a foolish infatuation, a crush that got out of hand, and that separation would be the best solution for the Prince.  Had not Prince Edward asked for that particular honour for Piers, and there's no evidence Piers pressured him into asking for it, Edward 1st may have turned a blind eye to whatever the relationship between the two, seeing it as a youthful infatuation that would run it's course, and that Edward would no doubt marry and have children anyway.

Kathryn Warner's book will be available from February 28th and can be pre-ordered from Amazon.

 



Friday 5 January 2024

Best Books of 2023

 As usual, my first post concerns the best books I have read in 2023 - just my personal opinion.  2023 has undoubtedly been the year of Anne Boleyn.  I've never known so many books published in one year concerning Anne and the Boleyn family.  I'm always very dubious when a new book about Anne is published, because the market is already saturated with books on her.  Very few have a fresh look at the evidence available about Anne.  But this year, out of all the books, there were 3 gems.   So my top 3 books all carry the same weighting - I can't choose between them!


1.   John of Gaunt by Kathryn Warner.

John of Gaunt is such a fascinating personality.   He could never have known that his son by Blanche of Lancaster would become Henry IV or that the children he had by his third marriage to his mistress Katherine Swynford would go on to produce the Tudor dynasty.   Gaunt himself chased the crown of Castile when he married his second wife, Constanza, daughter of Pedro the Cruel.   He also had to navigate the stormy reign of his nephew, Richard II.  I like how th chapters have quirky titles that link to Gaunt.  As usual, Kathryn Warner's research is meticulous.


1.   Hunting the Falcon by John Guy and Julia Fox.

Absolutely fabulous book on Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII's quest to marry.  Sources are checked and either validated or refuted.  It's a cliche but once I started reading this book, I literally couldn't put it down.  A fabulous read.

1.  Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth 1st by Tracey Borman

A refreshing and informative book on Anne and Elizabeth, particularly the subtle ways in which Elizabeth kept her mother's legacy and achievements very much alive at court.   It's well known that Elizabeth promoted her Boleyn relatives at court, and the 'Chequers ring' with the portraits of Elizabeth and Anne enclosed.  But Borman delves a lot deeper to uncover subtle uses of her mother's device of the falcon or sphere, for example.  Borman also delves into Anne's care and hopes for her daughter.

4.  Yet another Anne Boleyn book!  The Final Year of Anne Boleyn, by Natalie Grueninger

This book does exactly what it says, with excellent research into Anne's final year.  Despite what we might think we know, 1536 was not a year of total misery for Anne.  The year started well with Anne pregnant, and what she felt was an advantage to her, the death of Katherine of Aragon.  But disaster soon followed, with her husband suffering a serious accident and Anne miscarrying a son.  And yet there were many reports of Anne and Henry being merry on their progress, and that her arrest and execution were not inevitable.  Lots of super detail in this book.

5.  Palace Lives by Michael Jones and Scott Hastie

I did a separate blog about this book last year.  It's about the palace at KIngs Langley, built by Edward Ist's Queen, Eleanor of Castile, and later the favourite residence of her sone Edward and his favourite companion, Piers Gaveston.  Research is still being carried out there, and who knows, the tomb of Piers may yet be found - we can only hope!

6.  The Granddaughters of Edward III, by Kathryn Warner.

Focus on Edward III tends to be on the males in the family.  But the story of his granddaughters is well worth telling.  I never knew one became a most revered Queen of Portugal, still remembered with much affection today, and another became Queen of Castile.  And of course there's the story of Elizabeth of Lancaster.

7.  Katherine by Anya Seton

OK, not a new book, and a definite classic.  But after reading John of Gaunt, I re-read Katherine, and what a remarkable work of historical fiction it is.  We know so very little about Katherine Swynford's life, but Seton does a fabulous job in her telling of it.  Vivid characters such as Blanche of Lancaster and Chaucer add to the appeal of this book.


8.  Oh no - it's Anne Boleyn again!   This time, it's Sandra Vasoli's Anne Boleyn's Letter from the Tower.

This book has been around for a couple of years, and I bought the recently updated version.  As well as examining the content of the letter itself, Vasoli traces the history of the letter, it's origins and how it came to be in the National Archives, even surviving a fire at Kew.


9.  Hans Holbein, His life and works in 500 images,  by Rosalind Ormiston

Exactly as described in the title.  


10.   Arthur, Prince of Wales, by Gareth Streeter

Gives an account of Arthur's preparation to inherit his father's throne.  He was a symbol of the marriage of Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York, and literally  from birth was groomed for that role.  He was a symbol of hope for the end of civil war.  He received a superb education, and ruled a mini court at Ludlow successfully with support.  A fine marriage was made for him.  As we know, Arthur never became king, but with the tutoring he had, he would surely have made a better king than his brother.



Saturday 23 December 2023

Wednesday 1 November 2023

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.




Wednesday 4 October 2023

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

Friday 1 September 2023

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?