1311. - About the latter end of this year a great confederacy was formed by the nobles and others of England, called Contrariants and Ordainers, against Piers Gaveston, the well known minion of king Edward II. The king retired with him to York, where he kept his Christmas, and received a petition either to deliver him up or to expel him the kingdom. Having no inclination to do either, he retreated still farther north with him to Newcastle, where they continued some time. The incensed barons, headed by the earl of Lancaster, and accompanied by all the forces they could raise, pursued him thither. The king having received intelligence of their approach, fled with his hated companion to Tynemouth, where his queen, then pregnant and near her delivery, at that time resided ; from thence, having procured a vessel in the river Tyne, notwithstanding her tears and intreaties not to abandon her in that place, he sailed with Gaveston to Scarborough. The earl of Lancaster, after he had taken possession of Newcastle, sent down to Tynemouth to condole with the afflicted queen, whom reasons of state forbade him to visit in person. The said earl, who with the barons had entered Newcastle the same day it was deserted by the king and his minion, seized the effects which their great haste had prevented them from removing with them. In Gaveston's baggage were found many jewels of great value: of these they took an exact inventory ; and, after his death, restored them to the king.

From: T Fordyce, J. Sykes. Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and Berwick-upon-Tweed..., published 1867