The Kingship of Edward I Dr Andy King

The Kingship of Edward I Dr Andy King, University of Southampton

Edward I genealogy

1239 17 July Edward, eldest son of Henry III and Queen Eleanor of Provence

1239 17 July Edward, eldest son of Henry III and Queen Eleanor of Provence 1249 Granted lordship of Gascony

1239 17 July Edward, eldest son of Henry III and Queen Eleanor of Provence 1249 Granted lordship of Gascony 1254 Married to Eleanor of Castile Granted additional lands in Ireland, Wales and England

Civil War in England, 1264 -6 BL, Royal MS 16 G. VI, f. 427 v, Les Grandes chroniques de France, 1332 -50

Writ of Edward, lord of Chester, to his justice in Chester August 1260 If, on account of the influence of any person, common justice is denied to any one of our subjects by us or by our bailiffs, we lose the favour both of God and man, and our lordship is belittled. We wish therefore that common justice shall be exhibited to everyone.

‘The Song of Lewes’ Composed c. 1264 A lion by pride and fierceness, he is by inconstancy and changeableness a leopard, changing his word and promise, cloaking himself by pleasant speech. When he is in a strait he promises whatever you wish, but as soon as he has escaped he renounces his promise.

The killing of Simon of Montfort, Battle of Evesham, 1265 From a Genealogical Chronicle copied in the early 14 thc. Sir Edward and Sir Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester … had chosen and designated twelve of the strongest and most intrepid men-at-arms, and they knew that they were to kill the earl of Leicester, and break through the ranks forcibly and rapidly in such a way that they would look at no one nor let anyone come between them until they reached the person of the earl.

The killing of Simon of Montfort, Battle of Evesham, 1265 BL, Cotton Nero D. II, f. 177, Rochester Flores Historiarum

Edward, Crusader, 1270 -4 BL, Royal MS 16 G. VI, f. 414, Les Grandes chroniques de France, 1332 -50

The Kingship of Edward I REFORM Royal Collections Trust, Windsor Wriothesley MS, quire B Wriothesley Garter book, c. 1530

Edward’s Coronation, 1274 Hagnaby Chronicle, compiled c. 1307 [Edward] at once took off the crown saying that it should never sit on his head until he should recover the lands pertaining to the crown which his father had granted away to the earls, barons and knights of England to foreigners.

Edward’s Inquiries, 1274 Annals of Dunstable Priory The lord king sent inquirers everywhere to inquire how the sheriffs and other bailiffs had conducted themselves

Edward’s Inquiries, 1274 Annals of Dunstable Priory The lord king sent inquirers everywhere to inquire how the sheriffs and other bailiffs had conducted themselves but nothing useful came of it

Statute of Westminster, 1285 Our Lord the King. . . calling together the prelates, earls, barons and his council. . . and considering that many of his realm were disinherited, by reason that in many cases, where remedy should have been had, there was none provided by him nor his predecessors, ordained certain statutes very necessary and profitable for his realm, whereby his people of England Ireland, governed under his rule, have obtained more speedy justice in their oppressions than before.

‘A Sermon of King Edward’ Composed c. 1307 He did not rule in a frivolous state of mind, nor under the influence of flatterers and evil counsellors. . . but with his mind full of energy and wisdom and with the prudent counsel of good and wise men.

Taxation 1290 -1307 7 subsidies granted in parliament Raised £ 400, 000

The Kingship of Edward I WAR The National Archives, Kew E 368. 69, m. 56 d.

1276 -7 War with Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales 1282 -3 War with Llywelyn and Dafydd ap Gruffudd 1293 -1303 War with Philippe IV, King of France 1294 Rising in Wales 1295 -6 War with John Balliol, King of Scots 1297 -1304 Rising in Scotland 1306 - War with Robert Bruce, King of Scots

Chronicle of Peter Langtoft Composed in Yorkshire, early 14 thc. Now the islanders are all joined together, And Albany reunited to the kingships, Of which King Edward is proclaimed lord. Cornwall and Wales are in his domain, And great Ireland at his will. There is no king, nor any prince, in all these countries Save King Edward, who has united them thus. Arthur never held these fiefs so fully!

King Arthur British Library, London Royal MS 20 A. II, f. 4, Peter Langtoft’s Chronicle, c. 1307 -c. 1327

Glastonbury Abbey

Caernarvon Castle

‘A Lament on the Death of Edward I’ Composed c. 1307 He was lord of England, And a king who well knew war; None could read in any book Of a king who better upheld his land. All those things he wished to accomplish, He wisely brought to an end.

Gesta Annalia Compiled in Scotland c. 1363 This king stirred up war as soon as he had become a knight, and lashed the English with awful scourgings; he troubled the whole world by his wickedness, and roused it by his cruelty; by his wiles, he hindered the passage to the Holy Land; he invaded Wales; he treacherously subdued unto him the Scots and their kingdom; John of Balliol, the king thereof, and his son, he cast into prison; he overthrew churches, fettered prelates, and to some he put an end in filthy dungeons; he slew the people, and committed other misdeeds without end