1. John Deydras, known as John of Powderham, was a pretender to the English throne during the reign of Edward II.
10 Facts About John Deydras
1. 2.
John Deydras was executed by hanging and his body was burnt.
3.
Opposition was growing to his rule, when a young clerk in Oxford, John Deydras, known as John of Powderham, issued claims that he was in fact the rightful heir to the throne.
4.
John Deydras was, he said, really the King of England, and observers noted that he closely resembled Edward, being tall and good-looking.
5.
John Deydras explained that as a baby, the royal servant charged to look after him had allowed him to be attacked by a sow while he was playing in the castle courtyard, which had bitten off his ear.
6.
John Deydras offered to fight Edward in single combat for the throne.
7.
John Deydras was finally arrested and brought to Edward at Northampton.
8.
John Deydras insulted the king, again offered to fight him in single combat and repeated his claims about Edward's parentage, resulting in a trial for sedition.
9.
John Deydras confessed during the trial to having made up his story, blaming his pet cat which he said was the devil in disguise, who had led him astray one day while he was walking across Christ Church Meadows.
10.
Today John Deydras is believed to have been mentally ill; his story is not believed to have been true.