Did Edward I (Longshanks) push his son’s lover out of a castle window, as shown in the movie ‘Braveheart’?

The young man that Edward I pushes out of the window in ‘Braveheart’ is ‘Piers Gaveston’

The real story is different; Piers wasn’t pushed out of a window by Edward I. Edward did, however, clearly think Piers to be a ‘bad influence’ on his son and heir.

Piers was a favourite of Edward II (Edward I’s son) and is often considered his lover.

(Piers Gaveston’s last moments on Braveheart)

As a young man, Piers was a soldier of noble origin in English occupied France. Having impressed King Edward I, he placed him in his son’s household.

The two became friends; both were knighted around a similar time.

In 1307 King Edward I exiled Piers, which upset his son.

Upon the King’s death later that year, Piers was invited back into the Kingdom by his old friend, the new King, Edward II.

Upon his return, Edward awarded Piers with the Title “Earl of Cornwall’ which was seen as mainly above Pier’s rank and status in the nobility. This was a title usually given to Royals, not knights. (typically the brother of the King, for example)

Edward also spent most of his wedding day celebrating with Piers, ‘ignoring his wife’. As well as this, Edward left Piers as regent when he was absent from the country, again this was an honour that would typically go to close royal family members.

A year into Edward’s reign, a group of powerful nobles gathered to express concern about Edward’s treatment of his favourites, targeted mainly at Piers. They also had the backing of King Phillip IV of France, Edward’s father in law. Edward agreed to exile Piers. Piers was then made Lieutenant of Ireland, in which Piers seemed to do well in this role, furthering English influence in Ireland through his military prowess.

A year later, in 1309, with the agreement of his nobles, Edward recalled Piers back to England and had his former titles reinstated.

In 1311, once again, a group of nobles were annoyed with the King’s governance of the Kingdom, along with his failures against Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland and of course, his treatment of Piers Gaveston. To keep them happy, Edward agreed to exiled Piers for the final time.

He then recalled Piers later that year, again giving him back his old lands and title. The disenchanted nobles saw this as attacking their own authority, as the King had ignored their requests and agreements.

Piers was then captured in 1312 in Wales and executed by Edward’s Nobles.

Edward himself was later deposed as King in 1327 by his wife Queen Isabella and her lover Roger Mortimer, who placed Edward II’s 14-year-old son as King, also called Edward (III), with themselves ruling as regents.

Mortimer became a tyrant, seizing a vast amount of land in Wales and the Marches for himself, as well as possibly having the previous King Edward II murdered while in prison and having Edward II’s brother (Young Edward’s Uncle), Edmund of Woodstock, executed without the King’s permission. Mortimer acted as if he, himself, was King, which was disapproved by Young Edward more and more as he moved into his later teens.

Within a few years, the Young King (Edward III), now 17 years old, decided it was time he ruled independently. He captured and executed Mortimer and removed his mother’s political authority in England.

Edward III went on to rule for 50 years, going on to be one of England’s most fabulous Kings and one of the best warrior kings in European medieval history. The Order of the Garter was also established under his reign, along with successful wars in France, his reign is also notable for the tranquillity between King and Nobility, which both his father and grandfather didn’t have.

Edward III also had a son, called Edward (obviously), who was considered the ‘perfect heir’ and, like his father, was given legendary status for his role in the 100 Years War. Young Prince Edward, unfortunately, died before his father.

Edward III and his court were also significantly influenced by the Arthurian Legend. He even called his son ‘Lionel’, after ‘Sir Lionel’ of the Round Table. It’s also said that he was inspired by his grandfather’s legacy, Edward I, who Edward III greatly respected.

(King Edward III)

He was possibly the best of any Plantagenet King, while his father was possibly the worst.