Blacklow Hill

Blacklow Hill, near Leek Wootton in Warwickshire, lies on the Millennium Way, a pathway constructed in 2000 across the midlands. 

Archaeological excavations on Blacklow Hill in 1972 (during the construction of the A46) revealed evidence to suggest that there had been a possible pagan Saxon 'grove' on the site. A series of enigmatic circular pits had been cut into the sandstone bedrock at the east end of the hill, and there were two human burials within the arcs. One grave, that of a male, contained a scramaseaux (single-edged sword) with a blade 30cm long. The same excavation provided the largest assemblage of Mesolithic flint implements ever collected in the Midlands.

Nearby is the Saxon Mill restaurant. The mill was originally called Gibbeclive Mill in the 12th century. It was the property of St Mary's Abbey, Kenilworth  until the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It was rebuilt in 1822. It was a working mill until 1938, and it was converted into a restaurant and bar in 1952. The restaurant has a glass window cut-away in the floor where the water can be seen flowing under the building.

Piers Gaveston

Piers Gaveston was the confidante of King Edward II. Hated by many nobles for his influence on the king, Gaveston was left as regent when Edward travelled to Boulogne to marry Isabella. Resentment grew to breaking point and Gaveston was captured by Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Lancaster on 9 June 1312.

Gaveston's Death

At Warwick Castle, Gaveston was condemned to death for violating the terms of the Ordinances (the agreement between the king and his nobles), before an assembly of barons, including Warwick, Lancaster, Hereford and Arundel. On 19 June 1312, he was taken out on the road towards Kenilworth as far as Blacklow Hill, which was on the Earl of Lancaster's land. Here, two Welshmen ran him through with a sword and beheaded him.

Gaveston's Cross

The monument Gaveston's Cross is located on Blacklow Hill. It marks the point where Piers Gaveston was murdered.

In 1821 Bertie Greatheed completed a project that he had been proposing for some time. He erected a stone cross to mark the execution of Piers Gaveston. His friend Dr Samuel Parr (the 'Perpetual Curate' at Hatton) composed the inscription, which reads:

'In the Hollow of this Rock, Was beheaded, On the 1st 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.'