Edward I, also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots 1239-1307
King of England

Born in Westminster, London, the elder son of Henry III and Eleanor of Provence, he married Eleanor of Castile (1254) and later Margaret of France, the sister of Philip IV (1299). He initially supported Simon de Montfort in the Barons' War (1264-67), but rejoined Henry III and defeated de Montfort at Evesham (1265). He became king on his father's death (1272) while away on the Eighth (and last) Crusade to the Holy Land (1270), but was not crowned until his return (1274). He annexed north and west Wales (campaigns in 1276-77, 1282-83) and tried to unite England and Scotland through the marriage of his infant son Prince Edward (later Edward II) to Margaret, Maid of Norway, Queen of Scotland. When Margaret died, he chose John de Balliol as king (1292) in preference to Robert de Bruce. However, Edward's insistence on full rights of suzerainty forced Balliol to refuse to recognize Edward and ally with France (1295), starting the Scottish Wars of Independence. Despite victories such as the defeat of William Wallace at Falkirk (1298), Edward could not subdue Scotland. Robert de Bruce (son of Robert de Bruce) had himself crowned King Robert I of Scotland at Scone (1306). Edward marched north, but died near Carlisle (1307). He was called the English Justinian for his improvement in the efficiency of royal justice, and several statutes (1275-90) reorganized the state both centrally and locally. He regularly summoned local representatives to central assemblies (such as the so-called 'Model' Parliament of 1295), which voted him useful revenues and gave him national approval for his actions. He expelled the Jews from England (they were not readmitted until 1655).

Bibliography: T F Tour, Edward the First (1893)