On the 6th August in 1307, Edward II granted Piers Gaveston the Earldom of Cornwall - its fifth creation.
Gaveston was one of the king's new favourites; he ordered that everyone refer to him by his new title rather than his name. As you might imagine, this grant was not popular; it was traditionally reserved for members of the royal family.
The image below is an initial from the charter granting Gaveston the Earldom.
Gaveston was one of the king's new favourites; he ordered that everyone refer to him by his new title rather than his name. As you might imagine, this grant was not popular; it was traditionally reserved for members of the royal family.
The image below is an initial from the charter granting Gaveston the Earldom.
The image above is an initial from the charter granting Gaveston the Earldom.The bird on the top is not a black bird but a Cornish chough, one of three icons of the county's coat of arms. It reflects the bird's importance in Cornish culture. In Cornish legend, it is said that King Arthur transformed into a chough when he died, with the red feet and beak representing his violent, bloody end.
In 1312, Gaveston too came to a rather grizzly end.
In 1312, Gaveston too came to a rather grizzly end.
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