Edward I Plantagenet

Edward I was born on 17 June 1239 at Westminster Palace in London. He was the eldest son of Henry III of England and Eleanor of Provence. He was named after his paternal grandfather King John's favourite son, who had died at an early age. He had a turbulent relationship with his father, who was often weak and indecisive in dealing with the rebellious barons. Edward supported his father against the baronial leader Simon de Montfort in the Second Barons' War (1264-1267), but was captured at the Battle of Lewes in 1264. He managed to escape in 1265 and defeated and killed de Montfort at the Battle of Evesham, restoring his father's authority. He married Eleanor of Castile in 1254, when he was only 15 years old. They had a close and loving relationship, and produced at least 16 children, although many of them died young. Edward was devoted to his wife and accompanied her on several journeys to her lands in Gascony and Castile. He also erected 12 stone crosses along the route where her body was carried after her death in 1290. ¹ He succeeded his father as king of England in 1272, while he was on crusade in the Holy Land. He did not return to England until 1274, when he was crowned at Westminster Abbey. He proved to be a strong and capable ruler, who reformed the administration and the legal system, strengthened the royal authority and the Parliament, and expanded his domains through conquest and diplomacy. He also faced many challenges and conflicts, such as wars with France, Scotland, and Wales, rebellions by his nobles and clergy, financial difficulties, and religious persecutions. ¹ He conquered Wales in two campaigns in 1277 and 1282-1283, after the Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd refused to pay homage to him. He imposed English law and rule over Wales, built a ring of castles to secure his control, and granted his eldest son Edward (later Edward II) the title of Prince of Wales in 1301. ¹ He claimed feudal overlordship over Scotland after the death of King Alexander III in 1286. He was invited to arbitrate a succession dispute between several claimants to the Scottish throne in 1291. He chose John Balliol as the new king of Scotland, but demanded that he swear fealty to him as his liege lord. He also interfered in Scottish affairs, such as imposing taxes, appointing officials, and hearing appeals. This provoked resentment and resistance from the Scots, who formed an alliance with France and rebelled against Edward's authority in 1296. Edward invaded Scotland and defeated the Scots at the Battle of Dunbar in 1296. He deposed Balliol and took him prisoner, along with the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Scone, the coronation stone of Scottish kings. He also imposed harsh laws and heavy taxes on the Scots, and tried to assimilate them into his realm. ¹ However, his domination of Scotland was challenged by a series of uprisings led by William Wallace, Andrew Moray, Robert the Bruce, and other Scottish patriots. Edward fought several battles against the Scots, such as the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, where he was defeated by Wallace and Moray, and the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, where he defeated Wallace but failed to capture him. He also faced opposition from his own nobles and clergy, who were reluctant to support his costly and endless wars. He had to summon several Parliaments to raise funds and troops for his campaigns. He also had to deal with a papal bull issued by Pope Boniface VIII in 1301, which forbade him to wage war on Scotland without the pope's consent. Edward rejected the pope's authority and continued his military efforts. ¹⁵ He died on 7 July 1307 at Burgh by Sands near Carlisle, while on his way to invade Scotland again. He was 68 years old and had reigned for 35 years. He was buried at Westminster Abbey in a plain black marble tomb, which bears the inscription Edwardus Primus Scottorum Malleus, meaning "Edward the First, Hammer of the Scots". He was succeeded by his son Edward II, who proved to be a weak and unpopular king, and eventually lost Scotland to Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. ¹