Gaveston's Cross

Gaveston's Cross, Blacklow Hill, near Warwick

Warwickshire County Council

Gaveston's Cross, a monument commemorating the place where Piers Gaveston was beheaded in 1311

Warwickshire County Council

Description of this historic site

A sandstone cross marks the spot where Piers Gaveston was beheaded in 1311. The cross was erected during the Imperial period and lies on Blacklow Hill, north of Warwick

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Notes about this historic site

1 A sandstone cross on Blacklow Hill marks the place where Piers Gaveston was beheaded in 1311.
2 1832 by J C Jackson. Heavy short cross on a high pedestal of four mighty square piers.
3 Part of the stone base of the cross has fallen away.
4 The inscription on the plaque reads, ‘In the hollow of this rock was beheaded on the 17 day of July 1312, by barons lawless as himself, Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall, the minion of a hateful king, in life and death a memorable instance of misrule.’
5 Colour photograph.
6 Correspondence from 1965 about cleaning the cross.
7 Note about the condition of the cross.