He was, he said, really the King of England, and observers noted that he closely resembled Edward, being tall and good-looking.

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,[3] which had bitten off his ear.

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.

[2] 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.

[2] Modern historians cite the case of Deydras as an example of the growing unhappiness with Edward II's rule during the period,[1] and the protracted case appears to have deeply affected Isabella of France, Edward's wife, who felt humiliated by the event.