The rise of the indispensable Despensers It was a greatly demoralised king who met with the parliaments of late 1314 and February 1315. The scale of the military defeat in Scotland strengthened the hands of the Ordainers, who demanded that the king dismiss the chancellor and other officials. The king’s power was being eroded and …
In the second half of 1312 a number of factors conspired to prevent the widely predicted outbreak of civil war in England. Firstly, the king’s finances were in dire straits and in war, the victor is often the one who is able to outspend his opponents. Another consideration that discouraged both parties from conflict was …
‘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 …
‘Happy New Year! Please put away your fears! This year, Piers will prove himself, by far the greatest of his peers!’ Piers Gaveston As the debris from the Christmas festivities was cleared away from the Great Hall of the royal palace, Edward pondered the political situation. A parliament was to be held the following month …
During Gaveston’s absence, the king had acquired another unsavoury soulmate with whom to cavort, Hugh Despenser the younger. The nobility took a very dim view of Hugh Despenser’s elevation as royal favourite, because they regarded him as a Gaveston mark II. Edward appears to have had a constant need for a special male companion of …
‘T’was Piers, Piers Gaveston, his antics of mischief realised our worst, most abominable fears! Mention his name in any noble household and you would immediately be deafened by the loudest jeers!’ The cream of the English ruling class departed from Westminster, bemoaning the fare and sights that they had been subjected to at the coronation …
The body of Edward I was brought south to Westminster Abbey and entombed there on October 27th. He had reigned for thirty- five years and was therefore the only king most of the population would have known. ‘Oh we gather here today to bid farewell to dear King Edward Longshanks! For his long and illustrious …
‘Although stricken with illness, Edward rode astride a horse, declining to be borne upon a litter! With Robert Bruce and the Scots he was both extremely angry and very, very bitter!’ Oh! Oh! How the old king must have thundered against the Scottish upstart! Bruce’s unworthy ambitions had caused untold disruption, and a …
‘Oh Robert Bruce, you clearly feel incredibly confident and spruce! But the smart money says that you have definitely cooked your goose!’ Robert Bruce with his wife from a 16th century source. At first, this opinion indeed appeared to be the case. Bruce was defeated in battle at Methven by Aymer de Valence in June …
‘Having been captured, ‘Big Bill Wallace’, in chains is conveyed to London town! His appearence is met at every turn by Englishman with a loud snarl, and an angry frown!’ August, 1305 was one of the most satisfying times of King Edward’s long reign. How he must have rubbed his hands as he gleefully pondered …