Marc Morris’ book is the first major biography of the legendary English king, Edward I since the 1970s. It was intended to provide an updated appraisal of this curiously ignored monarch. Considering the impact that Edward had during his own lifetime and subsequent generations that lack of attention was something Morris aimed to redress. Edward is a monarch whose importance in how the British Isles developed as different countries has not been evaluated enough. That can be contrasted with other leaders of the period such as Robert the Bruce.
Edward I is generally known for being really tall hence the nickname
of Longshanks, finally putting Wales under English rule, and very nearly doing the same to Scotland. Edward had already gained a reputation for being a fearsome fighter during his youth, although Morris points out the future king was not always regarded as being honest. The chapters concerning Edward’s youth provide useful insights into how his character developed, and the skills he frequently deployed after the death of his father Henry III made him king. Edward had done much to restore his father to the throne, and end the rule of Simon de Montfort.Morris then goes on to describe how Edward set out to rule England effectively after his slow return from being
on crusade in the Holy Land and visiting his duchy of Gascony. Edward is shown to have been a pragmatic monarch that increased crown revenues by whatever means possible without alienating the majority of his subjects. However Morris also notes that Edward used Parliament upon a regular basis, especially when funds were required for his many military campaigns. Edward was a man that aimed to put the whole of Britain under English control.Morris contends that the most notable events of Edward’s long reign were not situations he had anticipated happening. Therefore the subjugation of Wales, the eventual expulsion of the entire Jewish population, and the attempted conquest of Scotland were unplanned. The efforts to gain complete control over Scotland and Wales placed serious financial strains upon Ireland and Gascony as well as England, and caused conflict between king and Parliament. It was noted that Edward’s anger over Robert Bruce’s seizure of the Scots’ throne led to his death in 1307.
Overall this book is an excellent biography of one of England’s most powerful and influential kings, and it is one that you do not want to put down.
