Edward I

Edward I, also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. He was the eldest son of Henry III and took part in many important events during his father's rule. Edward helped defeat rebellious barons and later went on the Ninth Crusade to the Holy Land before becoming king.

As king, Edward worked hard to improve the laws and government of England. He made many changes to help protect people's rights and property. Edward also worked to bring other lands under English control. He conquered Wales and built castles there to keep control. He also got involved in a dispute over who should rule Scotland and invaded the country, starting a long war.

Edward was known for being very tall and strong, which made people respect and sometimes fear him. He tried to make England stronger and more organized, but some people did not like the way he treated Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. Even though he faced many challenges, Edward left a lasting mark on English history with his efforts to improve the law and the way the country was governed.

Early years, 1239–1263

Edward was born at the Palace of Westminster on the night of 17–18 June 1239, to King Henry III and Eleanor of Provence. His name, Edward, was chosen because his father admired Edward the Confessor, a saint. Celebrations filled the royal court when he was born, and he was baptised three days later at Westminster Abbey.

As a child, Edward sometimes fell ill, but he grew up to be tall and strong, earning the nickname “Longshanks.” In 1254, when he was fifteen, he married Eleanor, the half-sister of King Alfonso X of Castile. This marriage helped prevent an invasion of Gascony and brought Edward land and income. Edward and Eleanor were warmly welcomed when they arrived in Gascony.

Civil war and crusades, 1264–1273

Second Barons' War

Main article: Second Barons' War

From 1264 to 1267, a big fight called the Second Barons' War happened between some nobles led by the Earl of Leicester and those who supported the king. Edward, who would later become king, started the fighting by taking a city called Gloucester from the rebels. He then tried to make peace but broke his promises. Edward fought in many battles, including the Battle of Lewes in 1264, where he was captured. He later escaped and fought again, helping to defeat the Earl of Leicester at the Battle of Evesham in 1265. After these battles, Edward worked to bring peace and started to take on more responsibilities in governing the country.

Crusade and accession

See also: Eighth Crusade and Ninth Crusade

In 1268, Edward promised to go on a religious journey called a crusade. He sailed to France in 1270 but the plans changed, and he ended up going to a place called Acre in the Holy Land. There, he tried to help protect the city from attacks but faced many difficulties. After an attack on him almost succeeded, Edward decided to leave and return to England. On his way back, he learned that his father, King Henry III, had passed away, making Edward the new king. He arrived back in England in 1274 and was crowned king later that year.

Early reign, 1274–1296

Conquest of Wales

See also: Conquest of Wales by Edward I and Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd

After a war among English lords, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd had gained control of more land and was called Prince of Wales. However, his rule was strict and not liked by all Welsh people, especially those living near the borders with England. Llywelyn also had problems with the Welsh church and faced ongoing fights with English forces. In 1272, Llywelyn was defeated by the Earl of Gloucester and had to leave southern Wales. This led to attempts to harm Llywelyn, and some of his close allies fled to England. Because of these issues, Llywelyn refused to show respect to King Edward.

In 1276, Edward declared war on Llywelyn. Edward’s forces, led by commanders such as Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, and William de Beauchamp, invaded Wales. Llywelyn’s support among his own people was weak, and he eventually had to give up. By the Treaty of Aberconwy in 1277, Llywelyn kept only the area of Gwynedd but lost much of his power.

War broke out again in 1282, with Welsh people feeling strongly about their national identity and traditional laws. Dafydd, Llywelyn’s brother, started the rebellion, and many joined him. Early battles went well for the Welsh, but in December 1282, Llywelyn was killed in battle. The Welsh were defeated, and Dafydd was captured and executed in 1284.

By the Statute of Rhuddlan in 1284, Wales was made part of England, with new laws and English-style government. English law was used in serious crimes, but Welsh customs were kept in some property matters. Edward built new towns such as Flint and Aberystwyth, where only English people could live, and they were protected by walls. He also built many strong castles like Beaumaris and Caernarfon, designed by the architect James of Saint George. These castles were built to show Edward’s control over Wales and included designs inspired by other places he had visited. The Welsh lost much of their land, and rebellions happened in 1287–88 and again in 1294, but they were stopped by Edward’s forces.

In 1284, Edward’s son Edward was born at Caernarfon Castle to show the new rule in Wales. In 1301, this son became the first English prince to hold the title of Prince of Wales.

Diplomacy and war on the Continent

Further information: Franco-Mongol alliance and Europeans in Medieval China § Diplomatic missions to Europe

Edward wanted to go on a religious journey called a crusade but never did after returning to England in 1274. He still planned to and tried to prevent wars between other European leaders to make a crusade possible. One big problem was a fight between France and Aragon over control of southern Italy. In 1282, people in Palermo turned against French rule and asked for help from Aragon, starting a war. Edward helped make a peace agreement in 1286 to stop the war from growing larger, but his plans for a crusade failed when the last Christian town in the Holy Land was captured in 1291.

Edward was also busy with his lands in Gascony. In 1278, he sent investigators to solve problems there. In 1286, he visited for three years and, after falling from a tall tower and breaking his collarbone, he ordered that Jewish people leave Gascony.

Gascony’s status was tricky because Edward was a vassal of the French king. In 1293, fights between sailors led the French king to take control of Gascony’s main forts. Edward refused to come to France as demanded, so the French king claimed Gascony was taken away.

Edward kept in touch with leaders from Mongolia about a possible alliance to help retake the Holy Land. Envoys from Mongolia visited him in Gascony in 1287, and more came to Europe in 1289 and 1290. Though nothing came of it, Edward showed interest.

Edward’s wife Eleanor of Castile died in 1290. They loved each other deeply, and Edward showed his sadness by building twelve crosses along the route of her funeral procession.

In 1294, a sea war began between English and Norman sailors. The French king used this as an excuse to take Gascony, leading Edward to renounce his loyalty and declare war. Edward formed alliances with leaders in Germany, Flanders, and Burgundy to attack France from many sides. Fighting happened in several regions, but a truce was agreed upon in 1297. Edward continued fighting in some areas, and in 1299, he agreed to marry the French king’s sister Margaret. This led to the return of some land, though Gascony was not fully given back until 1303.

Great Cause

See also: Competitors for the Crown of Scotland

In the 1280s, England and Scotland got along fairly well. However, problems started when Scotland’s king Alexander III died in 1286, leaving his young granddaughter Margaret as heir. Plans for her to marry Edward’s son fell apart when she died during her journey to Scotland in 1290. This led to a big dispute over who should be the next Scottish king, called the Great Cause.

Fourteen people claimed to be the rightful heir, with the main competitors being John Balliol and Robert de Brus. Scottish leaders asked Edward to help decide, but not to make the final choice. After many discussions, John Balliol was chosen in 1292. However, Edward still tried to control Scotland, demanding that Scottish leaders follow his rules and provide soldiers for his wars. This led the Scots to ally with France and attack the English town of Carlisle. In response, Edward invaded Scotland in 1296, taking control and removing Balliol from power.

Government and law

Edward had a strong and sometimes unpredictable temper, which could be frightening. Stories tell of him being very angry, such as when he tore out hair from his son’s head. Despite this, people respected him as a strong king. He was devoted to his family and gave expensive gifts to his daughters.

Edward worked hard to keep order and strengthen the rules of the land. He changed many officials and started important investigations to find out about unfair treatment by royal officers. He made new laws to settle land disputes and protect the rights of the crown. Edward also took interest in old stories about King Arthur and used these tales to support his rule in certain areas.

Edward’s rule included many changes to laws and money. He improved the quality of coins and introduced new types of money. His many wars cost a lot, so he found new ways to raise money, like taxes on trade. He also changed how Parliament worked, making it include more people who could agree to new taxes.

In his dealing with people who were not Christian, Edward made tough rules that caused many to leave England. His main concern was to get money for his wars and keep control over his lands. In places like Ireland, his rules were strict, and there was much disorder because resources were taken for his wars, leaving local areas to suffer.

Later reign, 1297–1307

The many wars Edward I fought in the 1290s cost a lot of money, leading to heavy taxes on his people. These taxes, along with taking goods like wool without payment, caused anger and resistance. The church was also asked to pay taxes, which caused more problems.

In 1297, some important people objected to Edward asking for soldiers and taxes without proper approval. As Edward prepared to fight in Flanders, his opponents tried to stop taxes being collected. However, a big battle in Scotland changed everything, uniting the king and his opponents against a common enemy.

Edward continued to face challenges, including keeping promises about land rules. Over time, changes in leadership helped reduce the opposition against him.

Edward believed he had fully controlled Scotland when he left in 1296, but leaders like William Wallace quickly began resisting English rule. In 1297, a smaller Scottish force led by Wallace defeated a larger English army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Edward responded by defeating Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, but the Scots continued to resist.

The Scots asked the Pope for help, but Edward refused this. Through agreements and capturing key places, Edward regained control. In 1305, Wallace was captured and executed. However, in 1306, Robert the Bruce became King of Scotland and began fighting again for independence. Edward responded harshly, but this only increased support for Bruce.

In February 1307, Bruce resumed his efforts and defeated an English force in May. Edward, who had become unwell, decided to lead his army north himself. He fell ill along the way and died on July 7, 1307, near the Scottish border.

Edward’s body was brought back and buried in Westminster Abbey. His tomb, made of Purbeck marble, is simple and plain. When opened much later, his body was found well preserved. A Latin inscription on the tomb calls him the “Hammer of the Scots.”

Legacy

See also: Cultural depictions of Edward I of England

Early stories about Edward focused on his achievements as a ruler. Over time, historians have looked at official records to understand his time as king. They often compared his rule to the problems of their own times.

In the 1800s, a famous historian thought Edward helped shape English laws and government. Others saw him as a strong but self-interested leader who used the government to control people.

More recent historians have studied Edward a lot. Many think his time as king was very important for England. Some praise his focus on fairness and the law. Others point out that his later years were harder. Different historians have different views on how good or bad his rule was.

Historians from Scotland, Wales, and Ireland have different views. Some think Edward was too harsh in trying to control these places. Others see his time as a turning point that brought more conflict. Studies also look at how Edward treated different groups, but these parts are handled with care for younger readers.

Family

Edward I had many children with his two wives. With his first wife, Eleanor of Castile, he had at least fourteen children. Only one son, who later became King Edward II, survived to rule after him. Five of his daughters lived into adulthood.

With his second wife, Margaret of France, Edward had two sons who lived to adulthood and one daughter who passed away when she was young. There was also an old story that a man named John Botetourt might have been Edward’s son, but this was never proven.