What is Piers Gaveston?
{{Infobox person | name = Piers Gaveston | image = Inspection of Gaveston's head by the earls of Lancaster, Hereford, and Arundel.jpg | imagesize = | caption = Inspection of Gaveston's head by the earls of Lancaster, Hereford, and Arundel | birth_name = | birth_date = ca. 1284 | birth_place = | ethnicity = | citizenship = | nationality = | death_date = 19 June 1312 | death_place = [[Warwickshire]], [[England]] | death_cause = [[Decapitation]] | other_names = | alma_mater = | occupation = | partner = | years_active = | website = }} '''Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall''' (ca. 1284 – 19 June 1312) was the favourite of King [[Edward II of England]]. Their contemporaries thought that the relationship between the two men was [[homosexual]]. The nobles of England grew jealous and angry as Gaveston rose in power. In 1312, [[civil war]] erupted. Gaveston was captured and killed. Gaveston is a major character in [[Christopher Marlowe]]'s [[tragedy]], ''[[Edward II (play)|Edward II]]''. ==Life== Gaveston was born about 1284 to a Gascon lord. About 1300, he entered the household of the [[Prince of Wales]], the future King Edward II. The two young men were both about sixteen years old, and developed a close relationship some thought [[homosexual]]. In 1307, Gaveston was [[wikt:banish|banished]] by King [[Edward I of England]], but recalled by his son when he became King Edward II in February 1308. Gaveston was made [[Earl]] of Cornwall, married Margaret, daughter of Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, and received money and land. Gaveston was [[regent]] of the kingdom during Edward's short absence in [[France]] in 1308. He played a prominent part at Edward's [[coronation]] in February. As time passed, Edward II showed Gaveston more and more favour. Powerful nobles grew jealous and angry. These nobles managed to have Gaveston banished again, but he was quickly recalled by Edward. The nobles gathered their armies as [[civil war]] neared. Gaveston and Edward