2-376-525 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

Piers Gaveston's head shown to the Earl of Lancaster, 1312 (1864). Piers Gaveston (1284-1312) was a favourite, and possibly the lover, of King Edward II of England, who made him Earl of Cornwall. He made many many enemies, and Edward was forced by his barons to banish Gaveston in 1311. He recalled him the following year, causing Thomas Plantagenet (1278-1322), 2nd Earl of Lancaster to rebel and raise an army against Gaveston and the king. Gaveston was captured and executed by the rebelling barons.