The Thoughtful Homemaker

Of course we all know that Edward II has a bit of a reputation. He was considered a terrible king and a homosexual who had a weakness for spoiling his favorites. Edward was the only son the Edward I “the Hammer of the Scots” and Eleanor of Castile whose other sons had died young. They had several daughters, some a bit spoiled and stubborn who remained close to their baby brother Edward. Edward’s mother died when he was still a child and his father was gone a lot either fighting the Scots, fighting in Wales, or fighting with France. Edward spent most of his childhood ignored yet spoiled by those in charge of him. He was allowed to stay up until late in the night and have friendships with the most common people. He collected strange animals and had a lion and a camel that he took everywhere with him. He probably enjoyed the hunt as one of the first books about hunting was written by someone in his own household. He loved to pray with monks and enjoyed thatching roofs, building walls, and gambling with his friends into the late of night while a band of Italian musicians played in the background.

In this spoiled, fatherless childhood he developed strong friendships. His first major friendship was with Piers Gaveston, a Gascon who came to England around 1300. Edward I thought the young knight to be a great companion for his young son who didn’t quite get the hang of knightly chivalry. Who better than the virtuous chivalric Gascon? He never expected that his son would worship the man and call him “Perrot”. Dearest brother Perrot won all of Edward’s attention and love and was given expensive gifts. It is still not known if they were 100% lovers. Both Perrot and Edward II had illegitimate children possibly around the same time. Edward had a son named Adam for example. Of course, the modern idea of homosexuality did not exist until the late 19th century. The homosexual act was a sin or weakness, not an identity.

The “brothers” also married near the same time. Perrot married Edward’s niece, Margaret, in 1307. (his other niece was married to Hugh le Despencer and it was known that these nieces were very close to Edward) Edward married the young Isabella, princess of France in 1308. Perrot had a daughter with Margaret in January 1312 named Joan. Edward had a son with Isabella, Edward III 9 months later at Windsor Castle in November 1312 a month after poor Perrot was executed.

What is interesting is about the time that Perrot and Edward became close, Perrot was exchanging passionate letters to Edward’s cousin John of Brittany, the Duke of Richmond. Perrot calls him his dearest relative. According to John of Canterbury, writing about the affair in 1309 (after Perrot was sent to Ireland) the two called each other “father and son”. This went on during the height of Perrot’s power about the time when Edward left him regent while he went to France to pick up his young 12 year old bride Isabella. Perrot was the best dressed and the wealthiest man in England to the hatred of the English Barons.

What was going on among Perrot, the Duke of Richmond, and Edward. The Duke of Richmond was nearly 20 years older that Perrot and Edward. I can’t find a lot of information about him except that I know he never married. I also do not know his relationship to Edward whether or not they were close.

Why were Edward’s favorites also were the spouses of his favorite nieces from his sister, Joan? Something strange is going on in this family. Was someone taking advantage of the young prince while he received almost no parental supervision growing up? Did he later pass on this abuse to his young nieces at the same time their husbands were taking advantage of the King? What was going on here? Is this just my modern mind seeing things that weren’t there in 14th century England?