The baronage of England, or, An historical account of the lives and most memorable actions of our English nobility in the Saxons time to the Norman conquest, and from thence, of those who had their rise before the end of King Henry the Third's reign deduced from publick records, antient historians, and other authorities / by William Dugdale ...

About this Item

Title
The baronage of England, or, An historical account of the lives and most memorable actions of our English nobility in the Saxons time to the Norman conquest, and from thence, of those who had their rise before the end of King Henry the Third's reign deduced from publick records, antient historians, and other authorities / by William Dugdale ...
Author
Dugdale, William, Sir, 1605-1686.
Publication
London :: Printed by Tho. Newcomb, for Abel Roper, John Martin, and Henry Herringman ...,
1675-1676.
Rights/Permissions

To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.

Subject terms
Nobility -- Great Britain.
Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A36794.0001.001
Cite this Item
"The baronage of England, or, An historical account of the lives and most memorable actions of our English nobility in the Saxons time to the Norman conquest, and from thence, of those who had their rise before the end of King Henry the Third's reign deduced from publick records, antient historians, and other authorities / by William Dugdale ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A36794.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 24, 2025.

Pages

Piers de Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall.

[1 Edw. 2.]

THere is not (I think) in all our English History, a greater instance of an unhappy Favourite, than that of this Piers de Ga∣veston; much unhappy to himself, but more to his Soveraign. Who, being corrupted in his youth, by the leud conversation of this vain young Man, became most miserable at last; not only by De∣posal from his Government, but, by the Murther of his Person.

Being, by Birtha 1.1, the son of a private Gentle∣man in Gascoine, who had meritedb 1.2 well for his faithful services in the Wars of those parts; he was, for that cause, in his very childhood, re∣ceiv'dc 1.3 into the Court of King Edward the First, there to wait upon Prince Edward, his el∣dest Son: Upon whose affections, in tract of time, he so much gained, by humouring him in such sensual delights, whereunto youth is natu∣rally inclin'd; that he guided and govern'dd 1.4 him according to his own vile humour. The dange∣rous consequence whereof, was not foreseen by the King, until near the time of his own death, as it seems: for, this Piers wase 1.5 with him in his

Page 42

Wars of Scotland, in 32d of his Reign; as is evident from that Pardonf 1.6, which was after∣wards granted to him; as also to Roger Lord Mortimer, Gilbert de Clare, and others, for depart∣ing thence at that time without leave. So like∣wise ing 1.7 that of 34 Edw. 1. which was the last Expedition into those parts, by that Victorious King: being, in order thereto, made* 1.8 Knight, at the Feast of Pentecost, with Prince Edward, by Bathing, &c.

But then, was it most clearly discern'dh 1.9, by divers of the Nobles, at that time there, how de∣structive it might be to themselves, and to the whole Realm, that such an ill Companion should longer continue with the Prince; whereupon, the King, lyingi 1.10 upon his Death-bed, at Burgh upon the Sands (near Carlisle) forc'dk 1.11 him to abjure the Realm: and commandedl 1.12 his Son (the Prince) upon Penalty of his Curse, that he should not recall him back.

Nevertheless, notwithstanding this strict charge of the dying King; no sooner did he hear that the breath was out of his Father's Body, but that he sentm 1.13 for him again;n 1.14 and bestow'do 1.15 on him the King's Jewels, and likewise all that Treasure, which had been design'd for the succor of the Holy Land; viz.p 1.16 Thirty two thousand pounds of Silver; which also, uponq 1.17 the danger of his Father's Curse, ought not to have been otherwise dipsosed of.

Whereof, being thus possess'd, he convey'dr 1.18 it into the hands of Forrein-Merchants, for his own private benefit. Amongst which Jewels, there wass 1.19 a Table and Tressels of Gold, which he had takent 1.20 out of the Treasury at Westminster, and deliveredu 1.21 them to Aymeri de Frisconbaud, to be carried into Gascoine: And besides all this, he causedx 1.22 Walter Langton Bishop of Coven∣ry and Lichfield, who had been Lord Treasu∣rer to King Edw. 1. to be imprisoned.

Nay, so great was his interest; that, upon the King's going over to Boloin, to Marry with the Lady Isabell, daughter to Philip le Beau, King of France (which Marriage was solemnized y 1.23 8 Cal. Febr.) he obtain'd a special Patentz 1.24, bearing date 26th December, to be Guardian, and Lieutenant of this Realm, during his absence.

And, Soon after this▪ having Marrieda 1.25 Mar∣garet, the second sister and coheir to Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Glocester, daughter to Ioane of Acres, the King's sister (the Weddingb 1.26 being kept at Berkemsted, in the presence of the King) he procured a Grantc 1.27 to himself, and her the said Margaret in tail, of that great Man∣nor of Brustwyke, in Holderness, with its members: Also of the Castle and Mannor of Skypton, in Craven: Of the Castle and Ho∣nor of High-Peke, in Com. Derb. Of the Ca∣stle, Mannor, and Honor of Cokermuth, in Com. Cumb. with its Members; Of the Mannors of orpell, and Upton, in Com. North. Of the Castle of Caresbroke, and other the Kings Lands in the Isle of Wight; all which formerly belong'd to Isabel de Fortibus, sometime Countess of A••••emale; and were then valued at Three thousand Marks per annum. Andd 1.28 of the Man∣nors of Crokham, and Berkhamsted, in Com. Hertf. with Fre-warren in all his Demesn∣lands there; as also in Byflete, and Pache∣nesham, in Com. Surr. with remainder to the King, and his heirs.

About the same time, likewise, he had a Grant e 1.29 in Fee, of the whole Earldom of Cornwall, with the Castle, Mannors and Lands thereto be∣longing; as also of the Shrievalty of that Coun∣ty. Likewise of the Stannaries, and all Mines of Tin and Lead, sometime belonging to Edmund, Earl of Cornwall. Of the Castle and Man∣nor of Lydeford, with its Appurtenances. Of the whole Moore and Free-Chase of Dert∣more; of the Town of Exeter; of the Castle, Town, and Honor of Knaresburgh, with Free-Chase there; Of the Mannors of Routhclyve and Aldburgh; of the Castle, Town, and Ho∣nor of Walingford, with the Mannors of Watlington, and Bensington; of the Four Hundreds and half of Ciltrie; of the Honor of St. Walerie; of the Mannor of Beckley; of the Castles and Mannors of Mereswell and Cicestre; of the Mannors of Newport-juxta-Walden; of the Town of Wilton, and Man∣nor of Cosham; with One hundred pounds rent issuing out of the Mannor of Lichelade, by the hands of the Abbot of Hailes: As also, of all the Lands which the before-specified Edmund, Earl of Cornwall, held at the time of his death; as well in possession as Reversion. Likewise of Two hundred shillings and ten Marks yearly Rent, payable by the Mayor of London, out of the Rent of Fifty pounds per annum, due for Queen-Hithe.

Furthermore, he then obtain'd a Grantf 1.30 of the whole Isle of Man. But, being thus high∣ly advanced, and inrich'd with such vast posses∣sions, he grew so insolent, as that he despisedg 1.31 the chiefest of the Nobles: in so much, as, upon the day appointed for the King's Coronation, (viz. the Festival ofh 1.32 St. Mathias the Apostle) in An. 1309. (2 Edw. 2.) the great Lords desi∣red i 1.33 of the King (in the presencek 1.34 of Charles, and Lewes, his Uncles; Iohn Duke of Brabant, and Margaret his Dutchess, the Earl of Sa∣voy, and many others) that he might be remo∣ved; and, when they saw it would not be, they endevouredl 1.35 to defer that Solemnity, but in vain; for, to honour him yet farther, the King gave m 1.36 him the Crown of St. Edward the Confessor to carry in that Solemn Proceeding.

Which being over, he became more and more elatedn 1.37; and, causingo 1.38 a Tourneament to be proclaimed at Walingford, got thither such a number out of Forrein parts, as that he there insultedp 1.39 over all the English Lords; of which, Thomas Earl of Lancaster, Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford, Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembroke, and Iohn Earl of Warren, were not the least; Who, stomachingq 1.40 the matter, unanimously entred into consultationr 1.41, how they might destroy him. Moreover, about this time, he obtain'd another Grants 1.42 from the King, of the Castles of Gaure, Thalamon, and Mau∣leon, in Gascoine, with the Provost-ship of Camparian, called Comptal, and City of Baion: also of the Mannors of Herb-funere, Biorn, Comtad, Saline, Dagines, and Isle of Oleron; with the Territories of Ma∣rempne, and Lancras, in Xantoigne, for terme of life.

And, shortly after that, a Chartert 1.43 to himself and Margaret his Wife, for a Market every week, upon the Thursday, at his Mannor of Torpell, in Com. North. as also for a Fair yearly, on the Eve, Day, and Morrow of St. Giles. Likewise another Grantu 1.44, in tail, to himself and the said

Page 43

Margaret, and to the issue of their two Bodies lawfully begotten, of the Mannor of Wrox∣hale, in the Isle of Wight, late part of the pos∣sessions of Isabell, Countess of Albemarle. A∣gain, having the Earldome of Cornwall, thus grantedx 1.45 to him, and Margaret his Wife, and to the heires of their two bodies lawfully begotten; he obtain'd several Preceptsy 1.46, to sundry persons, to make Livery unto him, of divers Lordships and Lands, which were parcel thereof; viz. to Adam de Carleton, for Livery of the Mannors of Tre∣meton, and Moresk, in that County. To Tho∣mas de la Hyde, Sheriff of that Shire, of all the Lands, then in his custody therein: the like to Iohn de Sture of Lands in Devonshire. Also to Iohn de Clinton, for Livery of the Castle of Walingford, the Honor of St. Walerie, and Town of Cicestre. To George de Perci, of the Mannor of Cosham; to Iohn de Knokyn, of the Mannor of UUatlyngton. To Roger de Wel∣lesworth, of the Mannor of Newport, in Essex. To Alexander Cheverell, of the Town of Wil∣ton: and to Iohn de Gras Sheriff of Yorkshire, of the Castle, Town, and Honor of Knaresbo∣rough, with the Mannors of Routhelyve and Aldeburgh.

Which excessive favours, raisedz 1.47 his pride and insolencie to such an height, as that the great Lords not being longer able to endure it; humbly be∣sought a 1.48 the King, that he would manage his Af∣faires by the Advice of his Barons, whereby he might be the more safe from danger. Unto which, outwardlyb 1.49 assenting, he forthwith called c 1.50 a Parliament to meet at London. Where, at their earnest instance, this Piers was banish'dd 1.51 in∣to Ireland (about the Feast of the blessed Vir∣gin's Nativity) but much against the King's mind. In his passage therefore, thitherwards, he accom∣panied e 1.52 him to Bristoll; and assign'df 1.53 him all his own Royal Revenues in that Realm, for his support there. But, no sooner was the Parlia∣ment dissolved, than that he recall'dg 1.54 him again; and, upon his arrival in England, meth 1.55 him at Chester.

Seeing therefore the King thus stedfast to him, he despisedi 1.56 the Nobles more than ever; and, seeing he gavek 1.57 him way, to do what he listed, fell to fingeringl 1.58 the Treasure of the Kingdom; and lentm 1.59 it out to Forrein Merchants, for his own peculiar benefit; so that there was notm 1.60 left wherewith to defray the usual expences of the King's Houshold: the Queen, likewise becoming so necessitous; that she, with Teares, complained o 1.61 to her Father (the King of France) that she was bereft of that due Honor which belong'd to her.

The Barons, therefore, taking into their far∣ther considerationp 1.62, that it was their Lenitie, which encouraged him to be thus bold, unani∣mously made an Addressq 1.63 to the King; and plain∣ly toldr 1.64 him, That, in case he would not rid the Court of this insolent Earl, they would Arme them∣selves against him, as a Perjur'd Person. Where∣upon, for fear of greater mischief, he once more abjureds 1.65 the Realm; this farther Conditiont 1.66 be∣ing added by the Barons; That, if ever he should be found in England again; or in any of the King's Dominions; he should be taken, and con∣demn'd, as a publick Enemy.

Hereupon, he first wentu 1.67 into France, with a Guard. But the King, hearing thereof, gave strict commandx 1.68, that he should be laid fast, in case he came thither; to the end he might not return again into England, to disturb the Queen (his Daughter) and the Nobles. Having there∣fore got Intelligencey 1.69 of what the King of France resolv'd; he hasted intoz 1.70 Flanders: but, find∣ing no rest there, came backa 1.71 (with his Compa∣nions) relyingb 1.72 upon the Earl of Glocester's Fa∣vor (whose Sister he had Married) and that in∣terest, which he well knew he had in the King.

Being thus return'd, with all cheerful recepti∣on c 1.73 from the King; he was soon after, made Ju∣sticed 1.74 of all the Forests, South of Trent; and obtain'd a Grante 1.75, in tail (to himself and Mar∣garet his Wife, and the heires of their two Bodies lawfully begotten; with remainder to the King and his heires) of the Mannor of Werke in Tindale; with divers ample Liberties, Fran∣chises, and Priviledges, within his Mannor and Honor of Knaresburgh: as also in Bur∣rough Brigg, Clynte, Aldeburgh, and Routhclyst; the particulars whereof, for bre∣vity, I omit. Likewise, for Free-warren, in all his Demesn lands, within his Lordsh. of Tynra∣gel, Clyme••••ond, Helleston, in Rerye, M∣resa, Rillaton, Helleston in Trigg; Lyske∣ret, juxta Tybeste; Penkeneke, Talskidye, Tywarnaill, Tremeton, Restormell, Lest∣withiell, Ualistok, Trewynton, and Pen∣lyn, in Com. Cornub. Lydfoard, in Com. Devon. Cosham, in Com. Wiltes. Newport, in Com. Essex. UUallingford, UUatiyngton, and Bensington, in Com. Berks. Knaresburgh, Routhclyff, and Aldburgh, in Com. Ebor. As also was made Governor of† 1.76 Nottingham-Castle: And likewise of* 1.77 the Castles of Car∣lisle, and Scarborough.

But this his return, and these new Favours, rais'df 1.78 the Peoples discontents, in general to such a pitch; that the Nobles, making advantage thereof, resolv'dg 1.79 to take him by force from the King; and, to that end, made choiceh 1.80 of Thomas Earl of Lancaster for their General, in that adventure. Whereupon that Earl, backt by such Power, senti 1.81 certain Messengers to the King, then at York, requiring the delivery of this Piers unto them; or else to banish him the Realm. Whereunto notk 1.82 yielding; and goingl 1.83 forthwith from thence to Newcastle upon ine, they followedm 1.84 him.

Whereof the King having advertisement, he hastedn 1.85 to Tinemouth; and so, by Shipping, too 1.86 to Scardeburgh (the strongest Castle on the Yorkshire, Coast, being founded on a Rock, and (for the most part) environ'd with the Sea∣water) commandingp 1.87 the Soldiers there, to Vi∣ctual it presently, and protect him, whilst he him∣self went into the parts of UUarwickshire.

The Lords therefore being inform'd of all this, seisedq 1.88 upon those his Horses, and other Goods, which he had left at Newcastle; cau∣sing them to be apprizedr 1.89, and put into safe cu∣stody: and made all speeds 1.90 after him, to Scar∣deburgh, that they could. And, being come thither, begant 1.91 to lay siege thereto: But, finding no oppositionu 1.92 by the Country; the Earl of Lan∣caster drawx 1.93 off the greatest part of his Forces, to the endy 1.94 they might not be too burthensome to the parts near adjacent; and leftz 1.95 the Earles of Pembroke, and UUarren, to take it by assault. Who, in a short time, so wearieda 1.96 out those Guards which were within it, by their fre∣quent Allarms; that Piers, seeing no remedy,

Page 44

yielded b himself; promising c to stand to the Judgment of the Barons; but, with desired 1.97 of liberty, to speak with the King.

Whereunto the Earl of Pembroke inclining; prevail'de 1.98 with the other Lords, that he should: (the Lord Perci also, by a special Instrumentf 1.99 in Writing, signed in the King's Presence, underta∣king to preserve him securely against any harm, for a certain time, upon forfeiture of Life and Limb; Lands and Tenements, and all he had:) and so carried g him towards Wallingford. But, when he was on his way, at h Dadington in Orfordshire (about four Miles beyond Banbury) having left the chargei 1.100 of him with his own servants (himself and his Lady lodging k 1.101 in an adjacent Town) the Earl of UUarwick, in the night time, came, with divers Armed Men, and tookl 1.102 him thence to UUarwick Castle. Where he kept him, tilll 1.103 the coming of the Earles of Lancaster, Hereford, and Arundel: and then, upon Consultation;m 1.104 Whether they should carry him to the King, or put him to death; a sober person, standing by, toldn 1.105 them; That it would be a great folly, having been at such a charge and trouble to eatch him, to bazard the losing him again; saying,o 1.106 That it were much better, that he should suffer death, than that the Realm should be any whit disturb'd by a War.

Assenting therefore to this Advice, they took him out of Prison; and broughtp 1.107 him to an as∣cent, called Black-low (about a Mile North-East from UUarwick) and there, by the hands q 1.108 of a Welsh-man, beheaded† 1.109 him, as a publick Traytor to the Kingdom; that Prophecier 1.110 being thereby fulfill'd; viz. That he should feel the sharp∣ness of the Teeth, of the Black Dog of Arden (for so he usually, in scorn, did call the Earl of UUar∣wick.)

Being thus put to death, the Fryers-Preachers carrieds 1.111 his Body to Oxford, where being kept t 1.112 for more than the space of two years; and thence convey'du 1.113 to Langele (alias Kings-Langele) near St. Albans, in Com. Hertf. it was, with great Solemnity, interred upon the se∣cond of Ianuary, An. 1314. in the Church of the Friers-Preachers, there newly Foundedu 1.114 by that King, to Pray for his Soul; the king him∣self being presentx 1.115 at his Funeral; as alsoy 1.116 the Archbishop of Canterbury; the Bishops of London, UUinchester, UUorcester, Bathe and UUelles; Fourteen Abbots, with a Mul∣titude of the Religious, and Friers-Mendicants. Likewisez 1.117 the Earls of Norfolk, and Pem∣broke; and of Barons, H. le Despenser, Henry de Beanmont, Bartholomew de Badlesmere, Hugh le De∣spenser, the Son, Iohn de Handlo; with about Fifty Knights. Also, of Officers,a 1.118 the Lord Chancelor, the Lord Treasurer; the Treasurer of the Wardrobe; Sir William Inge, one of the Ju∣stices of the Common-pleas, Sir I. Gisourz Major of London; and I. Abel Eschaetor South of Trent.

But the King took his death so to heart; that he desiredb 1.119 he might be once revenged there∣of.

This is all that I have to say of him; other then that he left Margaret his Wife surviving, who Marriedc 1.120 afterwards to Hugh de Audley ju∣nio: And one only Daughter, called Ioane, which Ieane, by special Covenantsd 1.121 betwixt the King, and Thomas de Multon, Lord of Egre∣mu••••, was to espouse Iohn, the son and heir of the said Thomas, so soon as they should attain to Marriagable years; the Portion which the King agreed to give her, beinge 1.122 a Thousand Marks Sterling. But, her Father's purposef 1.123 was to have Married her unto Thomas the son and heir of Iohn Lord Wake: the King therefore, by rea∣sons g 1.124, that Wake Married himself otherwise, with∣out his License, compell'dh 1.125 him to pay so much Money unto the before-specified Thomas de Mul∣ton, in satisfaction of his Covenant, so made, as aforesaid.

Notes

Do you have questions about this content? Need to report a problem? Please contact us.