It has always been taken for granted that Gaveston, executed in 1312, was the lover of King Edward II. He had been introduced to the court by Edward I and brought up in the royal household as the foster-brother and playmate of the king's oldest son, but they became sexually involved with each other. A 1994 study, however, claims that the two were in fact not lovers but adoptive or sworn brothers, like David and Jonathan or Achilles and Patroclus, although the author offers no explicit documentary evidence of adoption to support this idea. The book's argument is rejected by most other scholars.

References

Chaplais, Pierre. Edward II's Adoptive Brother. (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1994)
Dictionary of National Biography
Hamilton, J.S. Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall, 1307-1312: Politics and Patronage in the Reign of Edward II. (Detroit: Wayne State University Press; London: Harvester-Wheatsheaf, 1988)
Halsall, Paul. "Braveheart: The 'Inning' of Piers Gaveston." Available at: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/pwh/gaveston.html

Indexes

European
Uk/great Britain
13th Century
14th Century
Rulers, Nobles, Chiefs, Presidents, Prime Ministers
Sexuality: Gay Men, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transsexuals
Criminal Convictions, Imprisonment
Figures Whose Adoption or Fostering Is Fictitious, Disputed or Unconfirmed
School-age Years, Adolescence
For Companionship, or for Charitable Motives
Family Friends or Acquaintances
Priest, Religious, Teacher, Coach, Mentor, Patron, Apprentice Master or Owner
Adoptive/Foster Family Included Birth Child(ren)
Wealthy, Famous, Noble or Divine Adoptive or Foster Families
Customary or Traditional Adoption, Informal and Extra-Legal Care
Always in Contact or Knew Identities