King Edward I of England 1272-1307. It was this Edward who fought and executed the Scottish patriot & guerilla, William “Braveheart” Wallace.

Summoned the “Model Parliament” in 1295, bringing together Lords and Commons for the first time. Under Edward, summoning Parliaments to grant taxation became standard practice. Built on the judicial reforms of Henry II. Conquered Wales by 1282. Fought with the Scots until his death; his tomb in Westminster bears the words “Here lies Edward, the Hammer of the Scots.”163

In the Barons war 1264-67 he defeated the Barons at Evesham (1265). As King he is noted for encouraging Parliamentary institutions at the expense of feudalism and for subduing Wales on which he imposed the English system of administration. He later tried to assert his authority over Scotland and died while on his way to fight Robert Bruce.283

Known as “The Hammer of the Scots,” he was held off by William “Braveheart” Wallace and other defenders. It was the Welsh who fell under his hammer; Edward wanted to rule all of Britain and consequently crushed the Welsh by 1282. He built an imposing string of massive castles in his new dominion and, after the death of the last native Welsh prince, said he would give the Welsh a new one “who would speak no English.” This turned out to be his own son, an infant. From then on, the firstborn son of the ruling British monarch has been given the title “Prince of Wales.”293

A great soldier, with the energy and ruthlessness essential for a successful medieval king. Loved jousting, hawking, and the chase. Tall and imposing, to whom one looked up literally, he dominated and even terrified his magnates. Prone to the near-psychotic rages famed among Angevin kings.288

In or shortly after 1290, he lost his mother, his queen, his chancellor, and his chief justice. Scotland dominated every thought. His legacy was overshadowed when he died on campaign, his kingdom bankrupt under the burdens of an unwinnable war.288

Edward inspired respect, loyalty, devotion, and friendship. When given, his confidence was complete and he was generous to friends. His affection for his father, brother, and wife, and his sorrow at their deaths, is well-documented. He took a close interest in the children born to him in his sixties. He displayed the conventional piety of the age. He was literate and well-informed on many different topics.288

Sister to the King of Castile, her marriage took place when she was only 10 and her bridegroom 15. Later she went on Crusade with Edward, saying “nothing should part those whom God had joined and that the distance between Syria and Heaven was no greater than that between England and Heaven. She knew what she was about; Edward was a loving husband, but not a faithful one.”

She bore three sons and one daughter who died in infancy.

While following Edward north to another fight in Scotland, she fell ill of “fever” in Grantham. Edward rushed back to her, but by the time he arrived she was dead. The funeral procession took 13 days to reach London, and at each stop along the way Edward had a memorial cross erected to his “chere reine,” three of which survive today (“Charing Cross” station is one of the sites). When she was interred in Westminster Abbey Edward arranged for two candles to burn forever by her tomb. They burned until the Reformation, 300 years later.284