Edward II's Dangerous Favour: Piers Gaveston and Hugh Despenser

Рет қаралды 58,109

2 жыл бұрын

I saw quite a few requests for this video after I mentioned the topic in my Ranulf Flambard one. We’re not just looking at Hugh Despenser though, we’ve got Piers Gaveston as well…
I hope you enjoy this video and find it interesting!
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Intro / Outro song: Silent Partner, "Greenery" [ • Greenery - Silent Part... ]
SFX from freesfx.co.uk/Default.aspx
Linked videos and playlists:
“Escape the Tower: Ranulf Flambard”: • Escape the Tower: Ranu...
Images (from Wikimedia Commons, unless otherwise stated):
Early fourteenth-century manuscript initial showing Edward I of England and Eleanor of Castile wearing their crowns. Originally reproduced in Morris, Marc (2008) A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain (updated ed.), London: Hutchinson, p. illustrations btw. pp. 142 & 143.
Edward I creating his son, Edward of Caernarvon (the later King Edward II), Prince of Wales, 1301. Text reads "Eduuardus factus est princeps Wallie" (Edward is made Prince of Wales). (British Library, MS Cotton Nero.D.II. fol. 191v).
The painting ”Edward II and his Favourite, Piers Gaveston” by Marcus Stone (1872). Held in an unknown private collection.
Philip IV of France and his family: l-r: his sons, Charles IV of France and Philip V of France, his daughter Isabella of France (wife of Edward II of England), himself, his eldest son and heir the King of Navarre, Louis X of France, and his brother, Charles of Valois. This copy is listed as being from mariegalatee.typepad.com/astro.... Original vellum manuscript dated 1313, filed as Ms Lat 8504 f.1v, Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France. Author anonymous.
An illuminated detail from BL Royal MS 20 A ii, Chronicle of England [folio 10], showing Edward II of England receiving his crown (between c. 1307 and c. 1327). Held and digitised by the British Library.
Guy de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick standing over the decapitated body of Piers Gaveston from the Rous Rolls by John Rous (15th century). Scanned from Hicks, Michael (1991) Who's Who in Late Medieval England (1272-1485), Who's Who in British History Series, 3, London-Walwyn, p. p. 45.
Detail of an illustration from Froissart's Chronicles of a meeting between Isabella of France, Queen of England, and her brother, Charles IV of France, in 1325 (1475). Originally reproduced at: expositions.bnf.fr/flamands/gr...
A miniature showing the future Edward III giving homage to Charles IV of France under the guidance of Edward's mother, and Charles' sister, Isabella, in 1325 (15th century). Originally from visualiseur.bnf.fr/ConsulterEl... original filed as MS Fr. 2662, Bibliothèque Nationale France.
Isabella landing in England with her son, the future Edward III in 1326, from Grandes Chroniques de France, fol. 338 verso (c.1460). Held by the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
Siege of Bristol in 1326 by Queen Isabella, where Edward II, his counsellors and favourites (the Despensers) have taken up refuge (15th century). Held by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (Panel 4 of BnF MS fr 2663 f.6r).
Edmund FitzAlan, 9th Earl of Arundel and Hugh Despenser the Elder (or Hugh Despenser the Younger) before Queen Isabella. 15th-century manuscript illumination from Froissart's Chronicles by the Boethius Master. Originally from The Online Froissart.
Detail showing the arrest of Edward II (15th century). Originally from visualiseur.bnf.fr/ConsulterEl... original filed as Bibliothèque Nationale MS Fr. 2675, France.
15th-century manuscript illustration that depicts Isabella and allegedly Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March at Hereford; the execution of Hugh Despenser the Younger can be seen in the background (between 1471 and 1483). Held by the British Library. Royal MS 14 E IV, fol. 316v.
Illustration of the execution of Hugh the Younger Despenser, from a manuscript of Froissart (1470s). Held by the Bibliotheque Nationale MS Fr. 2643, folio 11r.
Quoted texts:
The Chronicle of Lanercost - available at: archive.org/details/chronicle...
ODNB entry on Hugh Despenser the Younger by J. S. Hamilton.
#History #EdwardII #Treason

Пікірлер: 359

@jaycorwin1625 2 жыл бұрын

This sounds like a Medieval version of a trailer park with gang leaders, gangs, rumors, spite, caterwauling and pettiness that lead to assassinations.

@lvmyfam11 Жыл бұрын

Welcome to the Medieval world!

@charlotte-mg9wj 2 жыл бұрын

When I was 6 i was given a children's book on kings and queens which said Edward was murdered with a red hot iron. At the time I remember thinking, " ow, nasty way to die, being hit over the head with a red hot iron..." it wasn't till I heard the story again when I was older I realised that's not what was implied.

@jfs59nj 2 жыл бұрын

I was drinking tea when you whispered “incredibly seriously” and did a spit take. Thank you for the laugh. I love your work, Dr. Kat!!

@made-line7627 2 жыл бұрын

Are you British? This comment is so British haha 💜

@ladysiam3024 2 жыл бұрын

That was funny. I don't drink tea but I did spit out my coffee!!

@robertdudley4017 2 жыл бұрын

Edward was a weak king, he could never live up to his father, he made a lot of bad decisions, ultimately he paid a very heavy price,the dispensers and gaviston just used him to their advantage. Thank you Dr kat, well. Presented and narrated.

@4supernatural 2 жыл бұрын

I was actually brushing my teeth ….and went what?? Lol 😂 …as I love to listen to Dr. Kat in the mornings. 👍🏻✨🤩✨

@ffotograffydd Жыл бұрын

@@made-line7627 Not all Brits drink tea, just saying. 😉

@kimberlyperrotis8962 2 жыл бұрын

Can’t wait for the continuation, Isabella & Mortimer, Edward III’s self-emancipation, etc. English history is so fascinating, as the say “you couldn’t make this stuff up, no one would believe it possible”, but it really happened.

@elenaderoet4926 2 жыл бұрын

My family includes John of Gaunt and Katharine Swynford. It is so much drama, lmao.

@avalonseer 2 жыл бұрын

I'd love to hear more about the Queens of England who have been titled "She-wolves" or the like because they were not willing to just be swept into the quiet meek wife role. As usual fantastic video!

@MazMedazzaland 2 жыл бұрын

There is a book called 'She Wolves: The Women who ruled England before Elizabeth' by Helen Castor which includes Isabella, Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Margaret of Anjou. I haven't read it yet (on my shelf waiting) but I have been told it is very good.

@avalonseer 2 жыл бұрын

@@MazMedazzaland oh I'll have to add that to my reading list! Thank you :)

@kateh2007 2 жыл бұрын

@@avalonseer Helen Castor also hosted a TV series based on the book. It was broadcast on the BBC Iplayer, not sure if it's still available there!!

@avalonseer 2 жыл бұрын

@@kateh2007 oh I'll have a look! Thanks again.

@EmoBearRights 2 жыл бұрын

I have read it and can confirm it is worth it.

@eluap71 2 жыл бұрын

The way Piers would come back after exile like, “I’m back, B****es!!” Oh, how he must’ve loved being a royal pain in the arse!! 😂

@serendpity3478 2 жыл бұрын

Gaveston is Boris Johnson's historical hero. Says a lot about both of them if you ask me.

@--enyo-- 2 жыл бұрын

@@serendpity3478 Seriously? Oh dear. That's actually hilarious.

@eluap71 2 жыл бұрын

@@serendpity3478 Very telling, indeed!

@allangibson2408 2 жыл бұрын

He was called back by Edward II…

@elenaderoet4926 2 жыл бұрын

Lmao, are you a fan of team four star, by chance?

@nikkibaugher2427 2 жыл бұрын

We need to start a Dr Kat "Fan Club"

@cplmpcocptcl6306 2 жыл бұрын

I second this.👍🏻

@_i_am_unceded 2 жыл бұрын

So it is spoken, So it shall be done.

@jfs59nj 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely!

@johnguglielmini6658 2 жыл бұрын

love her

@conemadam 2 жыл бұрын

Yessss!!!

@RetiredVDI 2 жыл бұрын

It seems rather likely Edward II was at least bi-sexual. It is also entirely possible to father children while being gay. Having a son was considered a duty and Edward obviously respected Isabella enough to do his “job”.

@naurrr 2 жыл бұрын

I also got the bisexual vibe from him!! how often do historians just sweep this under the rug as "well we can't just extrapolate sexuality since society's expectations were so different" when it could EASILY be explained by a queer theory perspective?? short sighted to just ignore the possibility at all.

@MTCason 2 жыл бұрын

It isn’t likely. There is no historical evidence on which to make that assumption. To do so is to project 21st Century social liberalism on a FAR more restrictive 14th Century personality. That is revisionism of the worst kind.

@RetiredVDI 2 жыл бұрын

@@MTCason - Why isn’t it likely? Believe it or not there were gay people in the 14th century and his obvious “patronage” of Piers Galveston goes way beyond “friendship”. And also, being gay or bi-sexual does not make one a “liberal”. I think it more a case of projecting 21st century bigotry rather than “social liberalism”. There’s no direct evidence either way. That is why I said “rather likely” than “He was certainly”.

@MTCason 2 жыл бұрын

@@RetiredVDI In what sense is it 'obvious' that his patronage of Piers went beyond friendship? There were no signs of that and no reports from contemporary chroniclers to suggest it. There's nothing to make it 'rather likely', least of all when Edward produced five children and one of them illegitimate. I'm not a bigot in the slightest but I don't believe in assuming the sexual identity of people who are dead and gone beyond what is evident. Edward I was criticized for his own favoritism towards certain close associates, as was Edward III in his own turn. It was a well-known latter Plantagenet fault, especially after the turbulence reigns of Henry III and Edward II bred natural suspicion and a tendency to distrust those beyond the men (and believe it or not, most of those who had cogent political and military power at the time were MEN) they could trust. The foundation of the Order of the Garter was foremost to bind a select group of knights to Edward III who he could trust to command his armies in France. That certainly doesn't make him homosexual any more than Gaveston or the Despensers do his father.

@IlexOpacaLP 2 жыл бұрын

@@MTCason Aren't you also assuming the sexual identity of a dead person though? It makes just as much sense for him to have been bisexual or gay considering the historical record as it does for him to have been straight. Assuming heterosexuality as the default state doesn't do historical study any favors.

@bajubner 2 жыл бұрын

Isabella is one of my favourite historical figures. We stan a woman saying "enough is enough, I'm in charge now"

@Laramaria2 2 жыл бұрын

She was remarkable!

@kelly-annejenner486 2 жыл бұрын

I feel ashamed I have never heard of her before! But she definitely sounds like my kind of woman and would love to hear more about her! I might just have to go and do some investigating myself this weekend 🙂

@bajubner 2 жыл бұрын

@@kelly-annejenner486 there was a series of documentaries here on KZfaq about the English queens that had been dubbed "she-wolves"! I can't remember the exact name but I'm sure it would be easy to find!

@kelly-annejenner486 2 жыл бұрын

@@bajubner I will look it up! I absolutely adore the Tudor period, mainly because it’s all gory and there’s no messing about like there is nowadays, but also thanks to Queen Elizabeth the first! To rule back in those times in married is, in my opinion amazing! But then I think Queen Victoria and our current Queen are also very strong women to look up to and are good role models to how the monarchy should be. Thank you for letting me know about that though I’ll go find it and add to my watch list 🥰

@beth7935 2 жыл бұрын

@@kelly-annejenner486 It's a great doco, & it's based on a book of the same name, "She-Wolves" by Helen Castor, which is one of the most enjoyable history books I've ever read. It's also about Empress Matilda, Eleanor of Aquitaine & Margaret of Anjou; other fascinating & powerful queens.

@historybuff7491 2 жыл бұрын

I think the Despensers thought their favor with the King put them above everyone else and therefore protected. Yes, I think they ignored what happened to Gaveston, and thought they could get anything they wanted. 2. Yes, please have more videos on this time and the She-wolf.

@theodosiasnudpuckle7372 2 жыл бұрын

That kind of behavior and thought still happens today

@michaelbaughman4017 2 жыл бұрын

"Those who don't remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

@kweejibodali7009 2 жыл бұрын

they engaged in criminal actions and as is the nature of most criminals, they think that they will get away with it despite the fate of all those before them. the despenser s had no right to all the properties and power that they grabbed and only the kings power allowed their actions. talk about absolute power corrupting absolutely ...!

@OhSkyeLanta 2 жыл бұрын

I saw you cover this subject and immediately had to watch it. Isabella and her relationships with Edward and his relationships with Gaveston and Despenser is some of my favorite medieval dramas to relate to friends and family not in the know. People think history is boring, but honestly Edward II had the social life of a reality tv show.

@Dreymasmith 2 жыл бұрын

You forgot Edward's love of making dry walls and breeding sheep. I love that aspect of him. He's a complicated person. The nobles didn't know when they were well off with Piers - greddy arrogant party boy, but the Despensers were so much more and so much worse.

@Anna_Key 2 жыл бұрын

Are the Despensers the ancestors of Diana, Princess of Wales?

@WhiteCamry Жыл бұрын

@@Anna_Key They have a common ancestor: Thomas le Despenser, of Elington (d. 1218). One son Sir Hugh le Despencer fathered his namesake descendants, while another son Geoffrey (possibly named Galfridus) produced what eventually became the present Earl Spencer line.

@jeanetteflood5959 2 жыл бұрын

I'd vote for another video on Edward II and Isabella (though with as little detail about his gruesome end as possible). I'm more interested in how accurate Marlow's play is.

@pat412pear 2 жыл бұрын

"gruesome end" indeed. Sorry for the pun. I don't really think his "end" was involved in his death.

@CashelOConnolly 2 жыл бұрын

You can’t clean up history because of peoples sensibilities

@theodosiasnudpuckle7372 2 жыл бұрын

Edward II was not the sharpest tool in the shed. Isabella sounds like a very smart strong and impressive woman

@leonieromanes7265 2 жыл бұрын

I think so too, Edward allowed his lovers to become too powerful, which put them in danger. Isabella put up with an awful lot of disrespect from Edward, before she turned on him. She was an impressive woman.

@prettypic444 2 жыл бұрын

Eward's "strange hobbies" reminds me of George III's interest in agriculture and animal husbandry. I feel like there's a correlation between unconventional rulers and pastoralism...

@erraticonteuse 2 жыл бұрын

See also: Louis XVI's clockmaking and Marie Antoinette's dairy farm

@danielasarmiento30 2 жыл бұрын

Also the tsar Nicholas II and his love for manual labor. Apparently he really enjoyed chopping wood

@kathleenkaar6557 2 жыл бұрын

Oh Dr Kat, I just feel like a little girl listening to her Mom when you tell these amazing tales of history!

@melenatorr 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this one: it takes me back. Piers was an early historical obsession of mine, and I remember gathering many bits of documentation about him. In 1980, after graduating Brooklyn College, I was in England on a small Shakespeare scholarship, and one of my friends there drove us both to Warwick Castle, where we looked in vain for Blacklow Hill so that I could properly mourn the event. To my recollection, Piers was overweening, and foolish in the way he gathered enemies, but he had a knack for governing (during his exile to Ireland, he actually did a fairly good job at representing and defending his king without offending the people in power in Ireland), and, had things been more intelligently handled, he might have had a long and successful career. I had a simultaneous obsession with another royal favorite, don Alvaro de Luna, who flourished and fell under the reign of Juan II of Castile. He lasted a lot longer than Piers, though undergoing a similar number of exiles forced upon him by his enemies. I remember drawing up a lot of comparisons between the two sets of relationships.

@melenatorr 2 жыл бұрын

@@markanderson0022 Thank you so very much, Mark! I'm doing very well, hoping the same by you.

@melenatorr 2 жыл бұрын

@@markanderson0022 Great to hear! I'm Maria, from Brooklyn.

@charlotteillustration5778 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating, thank you! And, I must confess, a relief to be away from the Tudors, who seem to dominate everywhere…

@annmorris2585 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for saying that! I always say that there are other dynasties besides the bloody Tudors. More Plantagenets please!!

@mickeykolody7773 2 жыл бұрын

I always found it interesting that Edward II was so influenced by the Dispensers after the "sticky" end Gaveston had. Logical thought would be he would have learned the lesson of how favorites can negatively influence his court and governance. But in fact he traded one bad influence for an even worse one. Great video, Dr. Kat! And super interesting part of history.

@myrnaskogland1268 2 жыл бұрын

He did not have the intelligence to rule in the first place, incest breeding at it's best outcome, keep the line noble gave some very mentally unstable people

@mellie4174 2 жыл бұрын

I don't think he was mentally unstable at all. I think he was just very human and probably gay. In love with these men but obliged by society and his rule to have a wife and several heirs, he was blinded by love. We always say love is blind and humans will usually put pleasure and love before obligation i think.

@BevMargaret 2 жыл бұрын

The idea that she is remembered as a she wolf makes me think. I think it’s pretty easy to look back at what she did and say how could she do that or frame her as being violent if you don’t think about what was her alternative. Do we really think she would’ve lived a really long time if she hadn’t taken out those who were moving against her and her children? Was she looking at two choices -one where she was ruthless and put her son on the throne and the alternative being letting her sonCome under the influence and control of the DeSpensers? If she was a man of the time these kinds of political ploy’s were completely acceptable and normal. I think she would make a great subject for a shortseries!!!

@svargyle 2 жыл бұрын

She was a woman of her time and those kinds of political ploys were indeed considered acceptable and normal. Being called a she-wolf is not derogatory. It means she was a force to be reckoned with. Her story would make a fantastic series, if done correctly.

@BevMargaret 2 жыл бұрын

@@svargyle I watched a documentary series I think called she wolves, England’s early Queens that pretty much put for the term as being negative and derogatory. It was hung on a lot of these early powerful women and I don’t think it was positive at least according to that doc you series. I do know that you can’t trust one series on a subject though.I would be interested to have a reading the past on the term and the Queens it’s often applied to.

@meeeka 2 жыл бұрын

@@BevMargaret it was a great series and early in English history, while there were only 3 "she-wolves" officially, basically almost any Queen from France who acted on her own agency was called a "she-wolf."

@svargyle 2 жыл бұрын

@@BevMargaret I would be interested in what contemporaries thought of her as well. If they were against her, politically, they would certainly say negative things, just as anyone would now. Her friends probably were more positive. I suspect a bigger deal was probably made because of her adultery with Mortimer, even if everyone 'understood' why that might happen. I think this subject would make an interesting Dr. Kat video. :)

@mac7406 2 жыл бұрын

Oh yes, please do carry on with another about the end of Edward II, and more about Queen Isabella!

@lpcherry2324 2 жыл бұрын

You are one of the most interesting people I’ve ever listened to, and I’ve learned so much. Thank you!

@ingridgeertsema4302 2 жыл бұрын

YES, a video on Isabella of France please, she was definitely a game changer in English history.

@svargyle 2 жыл бұрын

I love that you're going back further in to the middle ages. I find this era much more fascinating since there is necessarily more conjecture, since there are far fewer original sources. I know this isn't a book review channel, but Ian Mortimer's book; Edward III: The Perfect King, has some interesting opinions about this time period and Edward II's fate.

@itsmainelyyou5541 2 жыл бұрын

The she-wolves would be a welcome addition and I would love to see your presentation on the subject. The emancipation of Eddie III would be a fun one, as well.

@deniecezinnecker9630 2 жыл бұрын

Don't leave us hanging! Please continue with the story of Queen Isabelle and Mortimer!

@ffotograffydd Жыл бұрын

I already knew I had a connection to Edward II, my 20th great-grandmother was his sister, Elizabeth. I recently found out that my 21st great-grandmother Eleanor Despenser, wife of Sir Hugh de Courtenay, was the aunt of Hugh Despenser! I was already a fan of medieval history, but those added connections make it even more interesting. I know I’m only one of many thousands of descendants, and my family line is predominantly through daughters and younger sons, so there are no titles, land, or money, but it is still fascinating! I only found through a DNA match with a more recent ancestor who’d still had enough social status to have been written about in the 18th century.

@Sistererica 2 жыл бұрын

I don't know why these stories don't get the "publicity" that the Tudors do. Queen Isabella and the Edwards were just as interesting and dramatic. Thanks for the vid!

@kathyastrom1315 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve been reading up on this ever since I found out that Edward’s cousin, Henry Earl of Lancaster, was my 22nd great-grandfather. Apparently, he was the one who captured Edward and Hugh the Younger in Wales, and then later headed the regency council of Edward III and (spoilers!) then had Mortimer declared traitor and executed.

@sheilatruax6172 2 жыл бұрын

That was great! Could we have another about Henry II and Thomas a Beckett?

@kelleysmith7345 2 жыл бұрын

I love this particular medieval drama!

@BTScriviner 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for delving further back into English history. The Tudors get so much more attention.

@barbarak2836 2 жыл бұрын

Too much, I think. Just about all of English history is fascinating!

@naurrr 2 жыл бұрын

agreed!! this is fascinating and underrated

@jared1870 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for another great video. I think all rulers have had favorites from the beginning of time until the present. Edward II was an ineffectual ruler who couldn't conceal his overt favoritism nor keep his barons in check. And yes, I would LOVE to see a video of the legacies of Edward II and Isabella.

@margaretschembridalli5218 2 жыл бұрын

Oh Dr Kat, do please continue Queen Isabella's story I am fascinated by the queens England has had. Why were most of them vilified? Was Eleanor of Aquitaine really such a horrible example of womanhood? What about Mathilda? Strong women in history like Margaret Beaufort or Margaret of Anjou are generally dipicted as unnatural.

@revade6698 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, Dr. Kat. Another video triumph, as always. Definitely, when it comes to Edward II, the apple fell a LONG way from the tree. Longshanks must have been spinning in his grave. Too bad Isabella couldn't have been his daughter - she would have been a much more capable ruler than that milque-toast son ever was. Anyway, please count me in for another video like this - great stuff! BTW, please give my best to Jamie and Gabriel. 👍😁

@ellybelly5876 2 жыл бұрын

Yes please to a follow up video on Isabella!

@siegfried923 2 жыл бұрын

Local interest in the Dispensers has increased recently with the finding of parts of The Youngers body buried by the High Altar at Hulton Abbey in Stoke This is due to his wifes connection with the Audley family on whose lands the monks built their Abbey. Very little of the Abbey remains apart from the graveyard and layout of the foundations of the main church The remains fit exactly with the description of what were given back to his wife for burial at Tewkesbury, as only a few could be find to give to her.

@obcl8569 2 жыл бұрын

Oh this is going to be *GOOD!!!* Clicked before I'd even read the entire title lol (To be fair, I do that with all Dr Kat videos)

@jamest2401 2 жыл бұрын

I would love to see you produce a video explaining why and how 'Canterbury', and the 'Archbishop of Canterbury', became the center and head of the Church of England, both before, and after the Protestant Reformation. (❤️ your channel.)

@heckofabecca 2 жыл бұрын

I'd love to hear more about Edward II and Isabella!!

@CashelOConnolly 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve just been looking at portraits of Gaveston painted when he was alive,I can see why Edward liked him 😜

@scribetoscholar656 2 жыл бұрын

I really enjoy (admire) how you can tell the story of a man and give insights into women’s history. Likewise, tell the stories of monarchs and nobles and give insights into social history. Brava!

@annmhenson Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video. I know I’m late to the party, but as Hugh deSpencer came up as one of my ancestors in my latest foray, I was really curious and I love that one of my favorite creators has done a video about him!

@MrMarcelWiel 2 жыл бұрын

If Edward II had been an effective ruler, military commander and administrator, he could have been bonking the palace butcher's donkey, eight choirboys AND Gaveston ... the nobility wouldn't have given two hoots.

@mtngrl5859 2 жыл бұрын

Part of it was his lack of discretion. King James l interests didn't seem to create many issues.

@doesthisfacemakemelooklike535 Жыл бұрын

Margaret de Clare, Countess of Gloucester is Oliver Hokanson's 20th great grandmother. Oliver Hokanson → Yada his mother → Nellie eldora Yada her mother → Mary Elvira Hurd her mother → Joseph Wiram Reed her father → Wealthy N. Reed his mother → Freeman Williams her father → Isaac Williams, II his father → Dorothy Williams his mother → John Freeman, I her father → Sgt. Joseph Freeman his father → John Edmund Freeman his father → Edmund Freeman his father → John Freeman his father → Henry Freeman his father → Lawrence Freeman his father → Sir John Freeman, Baron Fremingham of Glassenbury his father → Henry de Fremingham (Freeman) his father → Lady Agnes de Fremingham his mother → Earl Edmund Stafford, 5th Earl of Stafford her father → Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford his father → Margaret de Audley, Countess of Stafford his mother → Margaret de Clare, Countess of Gloucester her mothe

@doesthisfacemakemelooklike535 Жыл бұрын

Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick is Oliver Hokanson's 20th great grandfather. Oliver Hokanson → Yada his mother → Nellie eldora Yada her mother → Mary Elvira Hurd her mother → Joseph Wiram Reed her father → Wealthy N. Reed his mother → Freeman Williams her father → Isaac Williams, II his father → Dorothy Williams his mother → John Freeman, I her father → Sgt. Joseph Freeman his father → John Edmund Freeman his father → Edmund Freeman his father → John Freeman his father → Henry Freeman his father → Lawrence Freeman his father → Sir John Freeman, Baron Fremingham of Glassenbury his father → Henry de Fremingham (Freeman) his father → Lady Agnes de Fremingham his mother → Earl Edmund Stafford, 5th Earl of Stafford her father → Philippa de Beauchamp Countess of Stafford his mother → Thomas de Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick her father → Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick his father

@SyntaxError83 2 жыл бұрын

Yassss, was hoping you'd end up doing this video!

@williamsmith5549 2 жыл бұрын

Dr. Kat, this is one of your finest! Thanks for your continued hard work, can't wait for another!

@ingridgeertsema4302 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you SOOOOOO much, this is exactly what I requested/hoped for!!!

@mikkiduf 2 жыл бұрын

Great video!!!! Fascinating story, thank you again Dr Kat!!!!

@ninamolina1944 2 жыл бұрын

Eeeeeeek! I just bumped into this and I’m so excited to watch it ! Getting into it now, thank you thank you thank you Dr. Kat!

@elizabethbower2168 2 жыл бұрын

I am currently reading Les Rois Maudits by French historian Maurice Druon which covers the reigns of Philippe lr Bel of France and Edward II. I can thoroughly recommend it

@kamillavalter 3 ай бұрын

It is a really good book series, I’ve read it twice in my teens and watched a French TV series. But one should take it with a grain of salt, it is not that historically accurate and repeats some 20th century stereotypes (Isabella and Mortimer’s romantic relationship, portrayal of Hugh Despenser as an effeminate sugar baby etc.)

@donnacarlin236 Жыл бұрын

Love you and your videos!! Please keep them coming.

@lornaperryman489 2 жыл бұрын

As usual, I've learned a lot from your lecture. I look forward to every presentation.

@Amc933 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful. Love this story. Many thanks!

@maxiner4349 2 жыл бұрын

Great choice today, thank you xx

@laurenjeangreenbean6301 2 жыл бұрын

First time viewer, now subscriber! You're an absolute delight! So many questions!

@hazels7447 2 жыл бұрын

I was hoping you’d do this video, thank you!

@GrainneDhu 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! I really appreciate how you provide context for each subject you discuss. I think that Piers Gaveston was such an obvious eejit that the Despensers thought they could easily manipulate Edward II in much the same way but without making the obvious mistakes Gaveston made. Frankly, Edward II strikes me as being far from the sharpest knife in the block--dangerous in that he seems to have lacked much in the way of forethought and was easily swayed by whoever had his ear at the time. The Despensers probably (and somewhat accurately) thought that the trick was to keep Edward' captivated so that no one else could catch his attention.

@tricivenola8164 2 жыл бұрын

Wow!! -- This actual tale is infinitely more exciting ad surprising than any movie of it so far. And so well told. Thanks again for your meticulous attention to detail, your accuracy, and the way you make it all so entertaining.

@jeffbrinkerhoff5121 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful presentation, please keep these stories coming.

@enitar8290 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. The story of Edward, Isabella and Mortimer has always attracted me and it was very nice to listen to it

@Tsumami__ 2 жыл бұрын

Personally, I would love being called the She Wolf of France. lol

@KellyBurnett138 2 жыл бұрын

Love your story telling Dr. Kat!!! 🤗

@moeshe3746 2 жыл бұрын

Love your work!! I appreciate how effectively you outline the general history surrounding the reign of Edward II then dramatically & warmly provide details that inform on the personalities & complexities of Edward, Isabella, & others. You always make history into an enjoyably compelling story!! Have you or anyone read Ian Mortimer’s book on Edward III? In it he asserts that Edward II died years later (after 1330) than I previously thought. I’ve always loved medieval history but only started reading about it extensively in the last few years-maybe Edward II living long after he was deposed is old news but it’s the first I’ve read about it from a respected historian.

@janiced9960 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant. Can't think of anything left out.

@stephenparker4083 2 жыл бұрын

My own interest in Edward II, apart from Marlowe’s play, was piqued when I discovered my descent from Longshanks. This was an excellent account of a queen’s skillful use of her subservient position to wield considerable power informally. It is also a lesson about pride in politics and the seeking of power for its own sake rather than to serve the welfare of the many, from which servant leadership a sovereign’s power really flows.

@kweejibodali7009 2 жыл бұрын

thank you so much for old information, clearly stated, good voice, not too fast, with decent audio, and no incredibly distracting music ! it is a doc., not a film... thanks again !

@craigrm74 2 жыл бұрын

Edward II has always had a fascinating story, even if he was a terrible king. One question about the Despensers: are they the forebears of the modern Spencer-Churchill family? Maybe there's a video in that somewhere...

@nancystuart438 2 жыл бұрын

I keep wondering if Lady Diana Spencer’s family is descended from the Despensers?

@viviancollick1721 2 жыл бұрын

I feel like there was mention to this, in a past video, that there is a connection. Ahhhh, Escaping London Tower.... er..something similar. It was a little while ago.

@svargyle 2 жыл бұрын

Not proven, or claimed by the current Spencers. The current Spencer-Churchill's can trace their line back to the 16th century, or maybe late 15th at the earliest. There was an attempt to claim decent to the earlier Spencers, but I believe that clam is generally rejected due to lack of evidence.

@ffotograffydd Жыл бұрын

I’ve tried to find out as part of my family tree research. I can’t find a link, but that does mean its not there.

@michellederus3655 2 жыл бұрын

This was excellent! Thank you!

@Julie31168 2 жыл бұрын

That was so interesting, thank you.

@thomasrandleman7057 2 жыл бұрын

I love your videos. Your personality adds greatly to your presentation!

@itsaDean 2 жыл бұрын

Why is there not a tv show about Edward II? It would be amazing!

@chrismurray2237 2 жыл бұрын

Great review! It all finally makes sense! LOL. Thank you. 🌺🌸

@ElliotOracle 2 жыл бұрын

Dr. Kat… You are simply the best.

@thomasllewelynjones5546 2 жыл бұрын

A fantastic video as always! Very entertaining and informative, and your pronunciation of Llywelyn Bren was very good! (Da iawn ti!) Personally, I feel that the fault lay with Edward rather than Gaveston or the Despencers. I think that Edward was rather weak, seeing as his father was such a strong king, and never truly had the grit to rule England effectively at that time. I feel that Edward needed flattery and attention and he got that from Gaveston and the Despencers, and that Edward would’ve let them overstep the mark in fear of offending his ‘friends’. It’s a story I think we can see repeating with the Plantagenet dynasty, where a strong king is immediately followed by a weaker king then a strong one again.

@foxenandfamily5060 Жыл бұрын

Gosh, but that was a good story! I love that Queen Isabella got her revenge on her husband. Either she had some natural pluck, or else someone taught her very well when she was a child, because I remember myself as a teenaged girl, not even knowing which end was up, let alone how to do all the things this superwoman did. I wish I'd known about her when I was a child; I would have made her my own role model!

@ladysiam3024 2 жыл бұрын

I've been interested I'm English history since watching the Tudors. Thank you for making a subject which can be difficult and hard to follow come to life. You are the best!

@giigizx9408 2 жыл бұрын

Love your videos. Thank you for the research and efforts

@nataliesmith3429 2 жыл бұрын

I was so excited when I saw this video pop up! I love your videos!!

@nataliesmith3429 2 жыл бұрын

@@markanderson0022 I am doing great, thank you for asking. Hope all is well with you.

@nataliesmith3429 2 жыл бұрын

@@markanderson0022 I am from the US as well

@4supernatural 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, Dr. Kat 🤩✨ you rock! again, Excellent. I am hooked ever time!! ✨👍🏻 I actually hadn’t heard this part of English Middle age in detail. It makes me interested in learning more of the roll these individuals played. ~ I believe the power and greed in which these favorites grasp, pushed boundaries, blindly believing no one would ever make them accountable, thus the Despeners, felt invincible. Edward ll same goes for him, just not clever enough to understand nor care. It’s clear Isabela was pushed into a corner and rightfully so ~ I do the same. ~ In which hope more of women behind the throne are recounted. 💜Thank you

@philonutube100 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely fascinating......Love the channel.

@kaybrown4010 2 жыл бұрын

As a fellow she-wolf, I’d like to hear more about Isabella!

@theaxe6198 2 жыл бұрын

Queen Isabella was amazing

@tinyTears 2 жыл бұрын

I love your videos I have always loved history. You are very knowledgeable thanks for sharing with us 😊

@damogranheart5521 11 ай бұрын

The Hughes' weakness was thinking that they were smarter than Piers and would succeed where Piers had not. They were bullies of the worst sort and connivers in persuading the King to rely on their judgment of the Queen's loyalty to France.

@shelbythe2ds526 Жыл бұрын

Great video. Enjoyed it very much. Thank you 😊

@Lizzie-ve7kt 2 жыл бұрын

I love all of your videos and ability to analyze and debunk widespread misconceptions of primary sources. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how Catherine of Aragon is portrayed in the Spanish princess and if you believe she had lied about whether she and Arthur had consummated their marriage. I love hearing your thoughts on history could’ve gone in a completely different direction and would be curious to know more about what you think Henry Percy and Anne Boleyn’s relationship was really like. It would also be great to see videos analyzing Elizabeth Woodville, Margaret Beaufort, and Elizabeth of York’s depictions in their various Philippa Gregory novels and what you believe the relationship between these women seemed to be, as well as how Elizabeth of York and Catherine of Aragon got along too.

@anyahanley6698 2 жыл бұрын

very good work! really enjoy you!

@camilledvorak7151 2 жыл бұрын

Edward underestimated his wife, not the first, or last man to do so, to his detrimate. Sadly, she decided to make up for lost time and went a bit power mad herself.

@ffotograffydd Жыл бұрын

As is always the way!

@susanbellefeuille 2 жыл бұрын

Loved this video, very interesting.

@neilkoch5481 2 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this i hope we hear more about isabella she sounds so amazing.

@gonefishing167 2 жыл бұрын

Great as usual. I always wait eagerly for Friday night. Hope the family are well. Take care 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

@TheGipper4prez 2 жыл бұрын

Piers got banished like 5 times. READ THE ROOM DUDE. He was playing with fire and got burned 🤷‍♀️ literally no one feels bad for him. The De spencer's were equally unwise for not learning from the fate of Piers. When power becomes more important than safety, you choose your fate.

@halfmiledrift3514 2 жыл бұрын

Yes please for a video about Isabella. This one was as always interesting and informative.

@johnnyresistance 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video, very interesting! I've recently discovered Hugh Despencer the elder is my 23rd great grandfather via his son Phillip.

@dianadeedy1025 2 жыл бұрын

Agree with your assessment of Gaveston and the Despensers…please do another video on Isabella and Edward!

@kweejibodali7009 2 жыл бұрын

thank you for this, i have been trying to get more info on hugh despenser s, plus more history on all the marcher lords, i would love a doc on marcher lords in general, their history, relation to original norman french who came over with william the conqueror