John Deydras facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Deydras
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Deydras was said to uncannily resemble Edward II, shown here in a contemporary picture.
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| Died | 1318 Oxford, England.
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| Nationality | English |
| Other names | John of Powderham |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Known for | A royal pretender |
John Deydras (died 1318), also known as John of Powderham, was a man who claimed to be the true king of England. This happened during the time of King Edward II. His story ended sadly, and he faced severe punishment for his claims.
Contents
A King's Troubles
By the year 1318, King Edward II was not very popular in England. Many people were unhappy with how he ruled the country. He had also lost some important battles against Robert the Bruce of Scotland. Because of these problems, more and more people started to disagree with the king.
It was during this time that a young man named John Deydras, who worked as a clerk in Oxford, made a surprising claim. He said that he, not Edward, was the rightful king of England.
Deydras Makes His Claim
In early 1318, John Deydras arrived at Beaumont Palace in Oxford. He announced that the palace belonged to him. He insisted that he was the real King of England. People who saw him noticed that he looked a lot like King Edward. Deydras was tall and good-looking, just like the king.
However, Deydras had one big difference: he was missing an ear. He had an interesting story to explain this. He claimed that when he was a baby, a royal servant was supposed to watch him. But she let a pig attack him while he was playing in the castle yard. The pig bit off his ear.
Deydras said the servant was scared of being punished by King Edward I, Edward II's father. So, she secretly swapped baby Deydras with a carter's baby. This carter's baby then grew up to be Edward II. Deydras said he was given to the carter and grew up poor.
He used this story to explain why King Edward II acted the way he did. Deydras said it showed why Edward liked simple, everyday activities like digging ditches and farming, instead of kingly duties. Deydras even offered to fight Edward in a one-on-one battle for the throne. Soon, rumors about his claims began to spread all over England.
The Trial and Punishment
Eventually, John Deydras was arrested. He was brought before King Edward in Northampton. Deydras continued to challenge the king. He repeated his claims about Edward's true parents and again offered to fight him. Because of these actions, Deydras was put on trial for trying to cause trouble against the king.
During the trial, Deydras admitted that his story was not true. He blamed his pet cat, saying it was the devil in disguise. He claimed the cat had led him astray one day while he was walking in Christ Church Meadows.
Deydras was found guilty. Both he and his cat faced severe punishment. Deydras's body was also burned.
What We Learn Today
Today, many historians believe that John Deydras might have been mentally unwell. His story is not thought to be true.
Modern historians often use Deydras's case as an example. It shows how unhappy people were with King Edward II's rule during that time. The long and public case also deeply affected Isabella of France, King Edward's wife. She felt very embarrassed by the whole event.
See also
- Lambert Simnel – a boy who pretended to be a prince to try and become king.
- Perkin Warbeck – another person who claimed to be a lost prince and tried to take the throne.
- Mary Baynton – a woman who claimed to be the future Queen Mary I.
