A great and terrible King Edward the First and the forging of Britain

Book Review

The author of this book is Marc Morris.

I thoroughly enjoyed this comprehensive account of King Edward I. Edward received the education expected of a medieval ruler, studying English, French, and Latin. He likely developed his diplomatic skills by observing his father, an accomplished negotiator. Like many young nobles, Edward became skilled in combat and often clashed with his parents as he sought greater responsibility. He also took charge of several properties inherited through his maternal uncles, who helped him manage them.

Ironically, King Henry faced persistent difficulties with France. He and his wife kept the French alliance peaceful for several decades, with the queen serving as a mediator. The two kingdoms had long fought over territory. Henry eventually took control of Gascony but offered to become the King of France’s vassal in return. He also faced opposition over the territory from Simon de Montfort, who, alongside a select group of powerful barons, demanded a greater role in government and the reissue of Magna Carta. The king temporarily prevailed, largely by appealing to Edward's desire for greater independence. Edward sided with the barons after a group of Londoners attempted to assassinate the queen, and he never fully forgave London for the incident.

Edward struggled financially throughout his life, largely because he traveled with a large entourage. In effect, he lived like a king on a duke’s income. His numerous wars heavily burdened the country's finances. During this period, King Henry granted Edward property in Wales, where Edward met Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, a minor lord who rose to become ruler of Wales. For several years, Llywelyn held enough power to declare himself Prince of Wales. Their main early source of tension was Llywelyn’s seizure of some of Edward’s property, a matter Edward took seriously. In the years that followed, Edward became involved in border skirmishes. He first saw major combat at Evesham, where he fought his uncle. The conflict, known as the Second Barons’ War, is especially notable for Simon de Montfort’s death, which Edward I formally acknowledged. Edward gained further combat experience in tournaments, which were essentially medieval war games. The book also presents him as politically astute for his age: he formed alliances when it suited him and knew when to change sides.

Edward met Eleanor of Castile in 1254. King Henry arranged their marriage to Alfonso X of Castile, and the couple quickly became inseparable, remaining close for nearly all 36 years of their marriage. Eleanor even accompanied Edward on his Crusade. They had 16 children. Notably, Eleanor survived childbirth, unlike Edward’s parents, who had four surviving children. The book states that Edward lived to the age of 68, making him one of the longest-lived English monarchs of the medieval period. He outlived several of his children. Edward II was the only child from Edward’s first marriage to survive him. Edward I and his second wife, Margaret of France, whom he met in 1299, had three children, two of whom survived to adulthood.

The book also notes that Edward took seven years to subdue Scotland and that many of his subjects were unhappy with Edward II's succession. Edward II seems to have disappointed his father with his carefree attitude, but they repaired their relationship before Edward's death. I found the book fascinating. You can find it at local libraries and on Amazon.

In conclusion, Edward I was a complex individual who lived an extraordinary life. He was far more than the king who killed William Wallace; his story shows how one person's influence can shape history.