The Rise and Fall of Piers Gaveston: Favourite ofEdward 11
Barry Aveyard
- Regions:
- East Midlands, East Midlands, East Riding, East Riding
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Historian
- Fee:
- Free
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 25th October 2026
In 1312, Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall and favourite of King Edward II, was dragged to a lonely hillside near Warwick and brutally executed. His crime? Becoming dangerously close to a king who appeared unable, or unwilling, to live without him.
But who was this extraordinary man, and how did a relatively obscure Gascon knight rise to become one of the most powerful and controversial figures in England?
Based on research for his forthcoming biography of Piers Gaveston, to be published by Pen & Sword in 2028, historian Baz Aveyard explores the extraordinary life of a man whose relationship with an English king would have devastating consequences.
This richly illustrated talk examines the remarkable relationship between Edward II and Piers Gaveston, a relationship that was almost certainly more than friendship. It follows Gaveston’s spectacular rise, his marriage into the royal family, the extravagant royal favour that provoked bitter resentment, and the political struggles that ultimately destroyed him.
Against a backdrop of medieval castles, courtly intrigue, jealous barons and royal scandal, we discover a story of love, ambition, betrayal and murder. Yet behind the familiar accusations of arrogance and political favouritism lies a more complicated and deeply human story, one that raises questions about sexuality, loyalty and the dangerous consequences of loving a king.
Drawing upon contemporary chronicles, royal records and original historical research undertaken for his forthcoming book, Baz, an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and author of several medieval biographies for Pen & Sword, brings to life one of medieval England’s most fascinating and tragic relationships.
Was Gaveston a dangerous political upstart, the victim of aristocratic jealousy, or simply a man who loved a king?
An accessible, engaging and thought-provoking talk that explores the man behind the scandal and the extraordinary relationship that changed the course of Edward II’s reign.
Views: 11 | Enquiries: 0About Barry Aveyard
Baz Aveyard
Historian, Author, Speaker and Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
Baz Aveyard is an independent medieval historian, author and public speaker based in Lincoln. He specialises in the lives of individuals whose stories illuminate the political, social and personal complexities of medieval England, particularly the women whose experiences have too often been overshadowed by those of kings, noblemen and warriors.
In October 2026, Baz was elected an Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, recognising his contribution to historical research and writing.
Following a career in higher education, including senior roles in nursing education and a lectureship at Sheffield Hallam University, Baz retired in 2016. His longstanding fascination with medieval history subsequently developed into a second career as a researcher, writer and speaker.
He has now secured contracts with Pen & Sword Books for four historical biographies:
- Joan Beaufort, Katherine Swynford’s Daughter: Matriarch of the North — a biography of the daughter of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, whose marriage into the Neville family placed her at the heart of northern aristocratic power. Scheduled for publication in 2027.
- Eleanor Neville — the remarkable and often tragic story of Joan Beaufort’s daughter, Countess of Northumberland, who endured the loss of her husband and four sons during the Wars of the Roses. Scheduled for publication in 2027.
- Piers Gaveston — a reassessment of the controversial Earl of Cornwall, his intimate relationship with Edward II, his extraordinary political career and his violent death in 1312. Planned for publication in 2028.
- Catherine de Valois — the story of the French princess who became Queen of England through her marriage to Henry V and whose later relationship with Owen Tudor helped establish the dynasty that would transform English history. Forthcoming from Pen & Sword.
Baz’s research places particular emphasis on contemporary chronicles, medieval records and archival evidence, while seeking to recover the human experiences behind the historical narrative.
An experienced and engaging public speaker, he regularly delivers illustrated talks to historical societies, U3A groups and other organisations. His subjects include Katherine Swynford, Joan Beaufort, Eleanor Neville and the wider world of medieval England.
Through his website, The Medieval History Bloke, Baz shares his research, visits to historic sites, discoveries and reflections on bringing medieval lives to a modern readership.
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