The Earl of Lancaster,* the king’s cousin, came to Parliament with a number of nobles, each bringing with him many armed retainers; and they forced the king to consent that Gaveston should be banished the kingdom. Edward promised that Gaveston should go, but evaded his promise by sending him as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, while the barons had intended that their enemy should be sent away to France. In a short time he returned, more insolent than ever, and the foolish king raised him to still greater honours.
Then the barons resolved to rid themselves, once and for ever, of their master’s unworthy favourite. As they found the king’s word was not to be trusted, they assembled their vassals, and commenced a war against him, with the Earl of Lancaster for their commander. At last Gaveston was taken prisoner at Scarborough in the year 1312, by the Earl of Pembroke. He was carried off in great haste to Warwick Castle, where, by order of the barons, his head was cut off. Edward vowed vengeance for his favourite’s death; but he was too weak to cherish his purpose long, and soon pardoned the barons.
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* Thomas of Lancaster (1278-1322), 2nd Earl of Lancaster, whose unsteady but real power in England relied partly on his enormous wealth as 2nd Earl of Lancaster, 2nd Earl of Leicester, 2nd Earl of Derby, jure uxoris 4th Earl of Lincoln, and jure uxoris 5th Earl of Salisbury, and partly on encouraging discontent over Piers Gaveston, and later Hugh Despenser.