Season 5 | 2. Bros with Benefits

This episode delves into the intense and controversial relationship between Edward II of England and his favorite, Piers Gaveston, which nearly brought England to civil war.

1. The personal relationship between Edward II and Piers Gaveston deeply influences the political landscape of England.
2. Edward II's emotional decisions, such as the granting of titles and lands to Gaveston, provoke dissent among the nobles.
3. The episode highlights the potential romantic undertones of Edward and Gaveston's relationship, which remains a topic of historical debate.
4. Edward I’s aggressive disapproval of his son’s actions illustrates the generational clash and differing views on kingship and governance.
5. The narrative sets a backdrop of impending civil conflict, driven by personal relationships within the royal circle.

1: A Father's Fury

Edward I's violent reproach towards his son for favoring Gaveston with lands, illustrating the clash between personal affections and royal duties. Edward I: "If it didn't mean I'd risk breaking up the kingdom, you would never enjoy your inheritance!"

2: The Bond of Brotherhood

Exploration of the deep and complex relationship between Edward II and Gaveston, from their first meeting to the solidification of their bond. Dan Jones: "These two young men are thick as thieves, and Edward of Caernarvon has become obsessed with lavishing gifts on his friend."

3: Kingship and Heartbreak

The transition of power to Edward II and his immediate actions to reintegrate Gaveston into the realm, signifying his priorities. Edward II: "The first public act of his reign is to give Piers Gaveston a present."

1. Consider how personal relationships influence professional responsibilities.
2. Balance personal affections with public duties to maintain professional integrity.
3. Understand the impact of emotional decisions in leadership roles.
4. Learn from historical conflicts to manage modern-day professional relationships.
5. Assess the consequences of favoritism in a leadership or managerial position.

King Edward physically attacks his son, the heir to the throne, in a shocking display of violence. The reason for this outburst? The young prince’s relationship with his favourite knight, Piers Gaveston. The way Edward sees it, if he doesn’t split these two apart, the entire kingdom will suffer. But the old king is running out of time.

People

Edward I, Edward II, Piers Gaveston

Content Warnings:

Mentions of violence and strong language

Speaker A
Everything to play for is back with a two parter to celebrate Olympic summer. Paris 2024 on Mo Farah. Of all of the athletes we could have chosen, why Mo Farah? He's a distance running icon. He did the double double 5010 thousand metre gold at two olympics.

One of those gold medals formed part of Super Saturday, maybe the most famous day in british Olympic history. So, so much to talk about. Follow everything to play for wherever you get your podcasts. Just a warning before we start. This episode contains some strong language from the outset, and I really do mean the outset, you bastard son of a bitch.

Speaker C
Edward I, the Plantagenet king of England, has his son and heir, Edward of Caernarfon, by his fine head of curly hair and is dragging him around the room. He's raging, spit flying as he screams in the boys face you want to give away lands. He yells, the furniture crashing as he hurls his son about you, who never won any yourself. Edward of Carnarvon is terrified.

His dad is in his late sixties and has been unwell for years, but the big fella still has his temper so fierce that he allegedly once shouted a man to death. Now the furious old king is trying to yank whole clumps of young Edwards hair out and still he rages on as the Lord lives. If it didnt mean id risk breaking up the kingdom, you would never enjoy your inheritance, he rants. Edward of Caernarfon doesnt say anything to that, he just suffers as his dad continues to fling him around the room, has one more go at pulling his hair out using both hands now, then opens the door and hurls him out of the royal presence.

It's an astonishing attack, which would be shocking between any father and son, between an aging king and the heir to his throne. This is pretty much unprecedented. Yet Edward I feels passionately that it's necessary. He reckons he needs to try and slap some sense into his son before it's too late. The boy isn't exactly a villain, but he's fallen in with a bad crowd, or actually a crowd of one.

Since Edward was a teenager, he's been knocking around with a knight from Gascony known as Piers Gaveston. King Edward put Gaveston into the kid's household because the word on the street was that Gaveston was an exemplary character who'd be a good companion for the heir to the throne. The trouble is, he's become far too good a companion. These two young men are thick as thieves, and Edward of Caernarvon has become obsessed with lavishing gifts on his friend. That's what's prompted this bust up which takes place in February 1307 at Lannicost Priory, a monastery in northern England not far from Hadrian's wall.

Edward of Caernarvon has come to Lanacost to visit his dad, who's staying there. Hes asked him to sign off on the latest gift he has in mind for his pal piers has been part of young Edwards debut campaign in Scotland. The prince wants to reward him for his good service and even better friendship with a super juicy Plantagenet territory, the county of Ponthieu, which lies on the french side of the channel. That is some gift. Ponthieu is a fine place, its strategically close to Englands on and off ally Flanders and its one of the few places on the french side of the channel that the Plantagenets can still call their own.

The familys story since the glory days of old Henry II has been one of steadily losing their grip on lands across the sea. The way old Edward sees, if the kid cant wrap his head around the fact that being king is a game of clinging onto land, or preferably even gaining it rather than giving it away, then he wants his head examining. Plus theres sentimental value. Ponthieu came into the Plantagenet family through Eleanor of Castile, old Edwards beloved wife and young Edwards beloved mother. It was given to little Edward when she died in 1290.

Perhaps most enraging is whom Edward of Carnarvon is lavishing his easily gotten lands on. Not a bride, not a child of the royal blood. It's just his mate piers. Literally some guy who offers no political gain to the crown and who's likely to cause a whole barrel load of problems with the other barons if he's promoted over their heads. Honestly, how dumb can this boy possibly be?

As old Edward gasps to get his breath back following his attack on his son, he makes up his mind. Edward of Caernarvon is what he is, 22 years old, apparently an overgrown teenager with barely the sense he was born with. But hes the heir to the throne and its too late to do anything about that now. Piers Gaveston on the other hand, can be dealt with. In fact, Edward thinks he needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

The old king decides hes going to split these bosom buddies up if he can get Pirs out from Edwards orbit. Maybe the king has a chance of knocking some real sense into his wayward son before his own time runs out. Maybe once young Edward is on his own, hell start taking his responsibilities more seriously. Its a logical enough plan. In fact its a tactic that many more people assume will solve Edward of Caernarvons problems in the years to come.

But Piers Gaveston and Edward of Caernarvon wont be separated by anything but blood. Their deadly bromance is going to bring England hurtling to the brink of civil war.

I'm Dan Jones and from Sony Music Entertainment this is history. Season five of a Dynasty to die for episode two bros with benefits.

Speaker D
Dont drink the milk is back for season two and weve got even more surprising stories that take us through time and around the world. Coming up this season sex, drugs and lawns. We're back on the road to bring you the hidden histories of sex, drugs and so much more. Hit subscribe wherever you get your podcast fix.

Speaker C
You don't hear the name Piers Gaveston all that much these days. If you do, its probably because it has associations with a certain loose living type of upper class british male youth. The Piers Gaveston Society is the name of a dining club founded at Oxford University in the 1970s. I say dining society, but in fact the main activities of this club arent really dining. Theyre drinking, dressing up, throwing lavish parties and behaving in as debauched obnoxious a manner as possible.

I wont pollute the mainstream of this podcast with too much information about the Piers Gaveston societys activities. Suffice it to say that a few years back there were reports that a british prime minister had been a Piers Gaveston chap while he was a student and that the initiation ceremony involved some, lets say improper use of pork.

The prime minister in question has denied ever doing this, so wed better take his word for it. I should also point out there is no evidence that the real Piers Gaveston ever got jiggy with a piggy either. All the same, I mention this because its a reminder that today Piers Gavestons name is associated with loose living, scandal and illicit mischief conducted in the high echelons of society. And when you dig into his life and his relationship with Edward of Carnarvon, you start to see why.

So who is Piers Gaveston? How does he end up hanging round with the heir to the Plantagenet throne? And why does he manage to rub important people like the king of England up the wrong way? To answer these questions we have to dip back a bit from 1307 into Edward of Caernarvon's childhood. You may remember from season four that Edward was born on a building site, the building site of Caernarvon Castle in Wales, he was the last of Old Edward and Eleanor of Castiles children, roughly kid number 14 when he was born.

He was the spare rather than the heir, since he had an elder brother called Alfonso. But Alfonso died when Edward was just a few months old, making him first in line for the crown. After that, his mum, Eleanor of Castile, died when he was just six. Old Edward didn't remarry for a decade, and although he and his new wife, Margaret of France, had a couple of sons of their own, there's too much of an age gap for them to be companions for young Edward so little Edward effectively grows up an only son with an aging and moody father who's increasingly absent or beset by foreign wars and political crises. Longshanks isnt a hand on the shoulder, touchy feely sort of dad at the best of times, and he seems to be harsh on young Edward, finding fault with him and giving him hell when he makes mistakes.

On one occasion, when Edward of Carnarvon is about 19, he has a quarrel with a bishop at court and his dad kicks him out of the royal household and makes him follow it. Around 10 miles behind the rest of the crowd, with barely any attendance or money, young Edward writes sad letters to his big sisters Joan and Elizabeth, explaining that daddy is angry again and hes hoping to be back in his good books as soon as possible. I dont want to come over all Sigmund Freud, ill save the proper armchair psychology for this weeks subscriber episode, but the fact is that Edward of Carnarvon has a dead mum and a mean dad, so it's not totally surprising that he starts to cast about for some big brother type to latch onto. He finds that figure in Piers Gaveston.

Gaveston is a little bit older than Edward, maybe by four or five years. His dad is a gascon knight who fights in the english army in France, Wales and Scotland. Piers follows in his footsteps. The first record we have of him is fighting in Scotland in 1297. On that campaign, he impresses the king, not least because he seems to be quite the physical specimen a chronicler calls him, graceful and agile in body, sharp witted, refined in manners and well versed in military matters.

In other words, hes pretty much the image of what youd want a prince to be. Thats why in 1300, irony of ironies, Edward I sends Gaveston to hang out with Edward of Carnarvon, whos 16, with a brief to play the part of surrogate elder brother and role model. And boyden do young Edward and Piers hit it off at first, Gaveston has the official role of a squire, but hes quickly promoted, being referred to in royal records as a companion. A bromance is clearly blossoming. In fact, it seems that young Edward gets positively giddy when Piers is around doing unusual and slightly embarrassing things, like refusing to accept gifts from well wishers unless a present of the same value is produced for peers.

Chroniclers will later write that the two men seem to have a formal bond between them. One will say that they enter into a sort of adopted brotherhood. Another explains that Edward falls head over heels in love with Piers at first sight of and binds himself to the older knight in a bond of indissoluble love, firmly drawn up and fastened with a knot. Later on, rumors will fly that theres a sexual dimension to this friendship. Its very hard to say for sure whether thats true or not, and to this day people debate it.

Speaker E
There is evidence that Edward is sexually active with women at this point. He fathers an illegitimate son called Adam while hes still in his teens. Of course, that doesnt rule out a relationship with Gaveston as well. The best we can say from what we do know is that these two are deeply and unusually attached to each other, and that they seem to have made their affection in some way official. Edward and Piers is giving civil partnership.

Speaker C
At the very least for a good. While, though this doesnt bother anyone. Piers joins the princes household in 1300, and by 1306, hes been at Edward of Caernarvons side for six years. Hes welcomed as one of the 300 young men who are knighted at the feast of the Swans. He goes on the scottish campaign that follows, even though hes one of the knights who gets young Edward into trouble with his dad when they head off to a tournament overseas once Scotland calms down for the winter.

That doesnt seem to be a fatal mistake, but on the other hand, straws are slowly piling up on the camel's back, with Edward continuously acting up and Piers egging him on. And then the biggest straw of all, trying to fritter away one of the most precious plantagenet territories as a thoughtless gift to his buddy. Plus, the closeness of the bromance threatens to undermine the marriage. Edward has spent years arranging a union between Edward and Isabella, daughter of Philip IV of France. Whatever the case, by February 1307, old Edward decides that project Piers Gaveston has been a flop.

Which is why, after he has taken out handfuls of poor young Edwards hair at Lannicost Priory, he gives the order that Gaveston is to be booted out of the realm.

The king calls a formal meeting of his barons and still mad as hell, tells them that Gaveston is going to be kicked out of England for good. If Pears dares set 1ft on english soil again, he'll be put to death. That feels about as definitive as it gets. Gaveston will be well and truly Gavis gone. Yet the success of the decision all depends on one Edward I being alive while hes around.

What he says goes. But everyone, including Edward, knows that hes sick, old, and not long for this world. One day, soon enough, his son is going to be king, and at that point, all bets are off.

Speaker E
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Speaker F
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Speaker C
Gulls wheel and squawk at the harbor in Dover on a spring day in 1307, as Piers Gaveston prepares to leave England and go into exile. All around him, porters are puffing and heaving. They're carrying crate after crate off the dock and onto the deck of the ship that's taking him over the sea.

The men have been working solidly for a good while, and there's still more stuff to load. Some of the boxes clank with the metallic sound of weapons and armor. Others jingle with coin. Five beautiful horses snort as they're led aboard.

On the dock, a pair of minstrels play a wistful tune, and at last, the porters declare their job done. Piers is packed. His gear is loaded. There's only one thing left to do. Take leave of his dear friend and adopted brother Edward of Carnarvon.

We have no record of the words that pass between Edward and Piers as they say their goodbyes. There must be a lot of sadness, maybe some. Be a brave boy. Hugs and backslaps. Yet this farewell may not be too unbearable.

Why? Well, for a start, there's all the gear that Piers is taking with him. Young Edward has been banned from granting him any land, but he can still shower him with possessions. So he's kitted Piers out with two new suits of armor, a ton of cash and even a few swans and herons. Because, let's be honest, who leaves home for any long trip without a proper supply of waterfowl?

Even better, the severe sentence of life banishment with no chance of parole and every chance of being chopped into dog meat if he so much as looks at the white cliffs of Dover has also been watered down. Since the hair pulling incident, King Edward has cooled off a bit and he's been persuaded to make the exile at the king's pleasure with a rolling review every year or so. Piers has also been granted an annual pension of 100 marks to see that he lives in style. So even if there are a few tears and kisses blown as pears ship disappears over the horizon, the underlying message is that this is au revoir and not goodbye. As Arnie once said, I'll be back.

Once Piers has gone, Edward of Caernarvon leaves Dover and starts making preparations to go north. Summer is coming, which means another round of campaigning against the Scots. It would do his credit with his dad a lot of good to join in, rather than spending the summer moping around doodling EC Harts PG in the pages of his diary. So on July 11, Edwards in London getting his things in shape for the journey. When messengers arrive looking for him, theyre exhausted and their horses flanks are shining with sweat.

Theyve ridden at top speed for more than 300 miles, travelling from near Carlisle to bring young Edward some huge news. Five days ago, old King Edward I died. The suspected cause of death will not surprise regular listeners. According to one chronicler, he had been suffering from severe dysentery, which was so bad that his attendants had to lift him out of bed to eat. On July 6, as they were preparing to feed him, he passed away in their arms.

As things stand, the messengers say, this is top secret. No one else in the country knows hes gone, and thats the way its going to stay until young Edward gets to Carlisle to claim his inheritance.

Young Edward may be an inexperienced politician, but he knows what he needs to do. He hot foots it from London to Carlisle. Arriving on July 18, he sees his dad's frail, shrunken corpse and pays his respects. Then, in Carlisle Castle, at 23 years old, Edward of Carnarvon is formally proclaimed as Edward II, the 6th Plantagenet king of England.

Once he's been recognized as king, the english nobles who are at court swear their customary oaths of obedience.

A few days later, Edward sets out into Scotland, heading for Dumfries, where he manages to round up some Scottish to promise that theyll obey him, too. And so a new reign begins.

As it does, its clear that theres a vast amount of complex royal business for the new king Edward to get his head around. He has a whole machinery of war government, which he must now start operating in the northeast. While also staying in touch with affairs from across the rest of the realm. He has to figure out a strategy for dealing with the Scots that might be more effective than his late fathers policy of punch them in the face and if they complain, punch them again. He will have to ensure that relations stay harmonious with King Philip IV of France and see that the existing marriage proposal for him to wed, Isabella of France, doesnt fall apart.

He must look over the financial books of the english crown and try not to faint when he sees that his old man has left him 200,000 pounds in debt, thanks to all those foreign wars. It's a monster of a to do list. So where does Edward II start? Well, to him, that's simple. On July 11, the day he learns his father is dead, Edward sends urgent letters to Ponthieu, recalling Piers Gaveston to the realm.

On August 6, just over a fortnight after hes proclaimed king, he uses the great seal of the realm to issue his very first official charter. It isnt a bill of rights for the people or a statement of his intention to solve the long running war with the Scots. Its a giveaway. Edwards first public act of his reign is to give Piers Gaveston a present. It's impossibly lavish, a title and a landed estate usually held by the king's brother or the heir to the throne, the earldom of Cornwall.

By August 17, Gaveston is back to claim his gift and be reunited with his BFF. To mark the happy reunion, he and Edward II hold a celebratory feast near Dumfries in Scotland. The message they send out is clear. Theres no one and no thing thats dearer to Edward II than Piers Gaveston. The two men adore each other.

They dont care who knows it, and woe betide anyone who tries to stand in their way. But with the old king gone, young Edward doesn't have anyone to rein him in. And if Romeo and Juliet taught us anything, it's that unchecked young love can be very deadly, as we'll see next time on this is history.

Speaker E
If you want to hear more, there's a subscriber only episode out now where I chat to a producer about everything you just heard and more. Here's a clip. I had someone swear by St. Lawrence's arse roasting on the griddle because St. Lawrence, as I'm sure you know, painted.

Speaker F
Now that's a plug for your book. A plug because St. Lawrence was martyred by being barbecued to death, which is why he's the patron saint of comedians and barbecue chefs. To start your free trial, head to thisishistorypod.com. or if you're on Apple podcasts, click.

Speaker C
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