On this day 705 years ago...

Piers Gaveston, the First Earl of Cornwall was beheaded on Blacklow Hill. Warwickshire. 

Raised in King Edward I's court, he was the playmate and close companion of the King's son. His close relationship with the future king became concerning to the ruling monarch and resulted in his banishment from the kingdom. Upon the King's death, he returned to his home, became the Earl of Cornwall and inherited land and wealth, as well as an aristocratic wife. His close relationship with the King (it was alleged they were romantically involved) resulted in an inflated ego and drove a wedge between him and the barons. 

Gaveston's arrogant personality and nepotistic rise to power under King Edward II resulted in his relocation to Ireland at the urging of the barons, most of whom had served under King Edward's father. Much to their chagrin, Gaveston returned to the court and his haughty behavior. In what seems more like a Shakespearean play than real life, the barons decided Gaveston must die. His "blood-brother", the King, subsequently deserted Gaveston leading to his surrender at Scarborough in May of 1312. His beheaded body was left to decompose, but was eventually embalmed and buried in Hertfordshire, on orders of the king. In 1823 a monument was erected on Blacklow Hill by the local squire on the spot where Gaveston was thought to have been executed. The monument's inscription describes him as a "Minion of a hateful King" beheaded by barons as lawless as himself.