Edward I "Longshanks" - One Of The GREATEST European Monarchs In History

foreign today we will take a deep dive into the Life and Legacy of one of the most legendary figures of all Medieval Europe someone who left an enduring mark on history that is still felt to this day this towering ruler both literally and figuratively was a warrior king a Statesman and a Visionary leader whose Reign was marked by sweeping reforms bloody wars controversial policies an enduring cultural achievements the man I'm speaking of is King Edward the first also known as Edward Longshanks and by his later title The Hammer of the Scots born in 1239 Edward was the eldest son of King Henry III and his Queen Eleanor of Provence from a young age Edward displayed remarkable talents and intelligence and was groomed for a life of governance and monarchy he received a rigorous education in the Arts sciences and martial disciplines and grew to become one of the most formidable Knights and commanders of his time Edward was a physically imposing man standing over six feet tall and he wasn't afraid to use this feature to intimidate others his abnormal height earning him the early moniker of Longshanks which was in reference to his stature Edward's early years were marked by political turmoil and social unrest as his father struggled to maintain control over a divided Kingdom but in 1254 Edward's fortunes took a dramatic turn when he married Eleanor of Castile a match that would prove to be one of the most enduring and successful Royal marriages in history together Edward and Eleanor would have 16 children and their Union would cement alliances and secure dynastic claims across Europe as Edward Grew Older he began to carve out a reputation as a military leader of unparalleled skill and determination he campaigned extensively in Wales where he brutally suppressed rebellion and asserted English dominance over the Welsh people but it was in Scotland where Edward would truly make his mark earning him the title of the Hammer of the Scots for his Relentless campaigns against the Scottish Kingdom in 1296 Edward invaded Scotland and forced the Scottish King John baliel to submit to his authority he then installed a puppet regime and embarked on a program of brutal repression and subjugation earning the lasting enmity of the Scottish people but Edward's Ambitions did not end there he dreamed of creating a United powerful British Empire and he saw Scotland as a vital piece of that puzzle over the next decade Edward launched a series of devastating campaigns into Scotland culminating in the infamous Battle of Falkirk in 1298 where he defeated the Scottish forces who were led by the Scottish hero William Wallace his victory was brutal and decisive but it would come at a great cost the Scottish people would never forgive him and the memory of his conquests would live on for centuries to come Edward was more than just a warrior king though he was also a Visionary leader who understood the importance of governance in law he instituted sweeping legal reforms that transformed the English legal system laying the foundation for the modern rule of law as we know it today he also fostered a thriving cultural scene sponsoring the construction of magnificent Cathedrals and the founding of the University of Oxford despite his many achievements however Edward's Legacy remains complex and controversial some he is a hero a larger than life figure who helped shape the course of history and left an indelible mark on the world to others he is a tyrant a brutal conqueror who sought to crush the spirit of his enemies and established a legacy of domination and oppression let's explore the Life and Legacy of this enigmatic ruler delving into the stories and events that made him both revered and reviled and uncovering the enduring Legacy that he left behind from his military conquests to his legal reforms from his controversial reputation to his cultural achievements this is the story of King Edward the first the Hammer of the Scots Edward was born on June 17 1239 in the Palace of Westminster as the eldest son of King Henry III and queen Eleanor of Provence Edward was destined for a life of leadership power and influence his early years though were marked by political turmoil and unrest as his father struggled to maintain control over a disunited English Kingdom due in many ways to his father's rule at the age of just six years old Edward was sent to gascony a region in Southwestern France and one of the last remaining possessions of the English algervin kings to be raised under the care of his maternal Uncle Richard the Earl of Cornwall this move was intended to keep Edward safe from the political turmoil in England as well as to expose him to the culture and language of France under the tutelage of his Uncle Edward received a rigorous education in the Arts sciences and martial disciplines he learned to speak French which was actually the language of the English court at the time as well as Latin and some Spanish he also studied mathematics astronomy philosophy and became an accomplished musician and poet despite the advantages of his education Edward faced significant challenges in his early life his father's Reign was marked by financial mismanagement and political instability and Edward was often caught in the crossfire of his parents disagreements struggled to assert his authority and gain the respect of his father who often dismissed his political opinions and ideas in addition to these familial challenges Edward faced other obstacles as a young adult in 1258 a group of English Barons rebelled against his father after the failed Sicilian campaign demanding greater political representation and limits on the king's power this Rebellion known as the second Barons War lasted for several years and forced Edward to choose between his loyalty to his father and his duty to the realm ultimately Edwards sided with his father and fought on his behalf in several key battles despite some early successes Henry's forces were ultimately defeated at the Battle of Luz and he was forced to accept the provisions of the Magna Carta which granted greater political rights to the English nobility these challenges would shape Edward's worldview and approach to leadership as he came to understand the importance of diplomacy military strategy and good governance King Edward's marriage to Eleanor of Castile was one of the most significant Partnerships in all of English History their Union was one of political necessity but it quickly developed into a deep and loving relationship that lasted throughout their lives Edward and Eleanor first met in 1254 when Eleanor was just nine years old and Edward was 15. they were married later that year and it was clear from the beginning that theirs would be a strong and productive relationship together they had 16 children a remarkable achievement even by the standards of the time but it was not just in their personal lives that Edward and Eleanor were successful as king and queen they worked closely to achieve a variety of political and cultural goals Eleanor was known for her patronage of the Arts and was a significant figure in the development of Gothic architecture throughout England Edward meanwhile was focused on consolidating English Power and expanding English influence throughout Europe together they oversaw significant developments in English law including the famous statute of Westminster which established the principles of English common law that still govern the country to this day they were also responsible for the construction of some of England's most iconic buildings including the stunning castles at kennethron and harlik but tragedy would strike in 1290 when Eleanor died unexpectedly at the age of 49. her death was a devastating blow to Edward who was reportedly inconsolable for months afterwards to honor her memory he ordered the construction of a series of elaborate monuments known as the Eleanor crosses which were placed at every location where her funeral procession had stopped on its Journey from Lincolnshire to London despite her premature death Eleanor's Legacy lived on her patronage of the Arts and her passion for architecture helped to shape English culture in significant ways while her partnership with Edward helped to solidify the foundations of English power and influence for centuries to come at the age of 60 Edward would remarry he wed Margaret of France the 17 year old daughter of King Philip III and Maria of brabant and their marriage was celebrated in Canterbury on September 8th 1299 despite the big age Gap the couple got on well and grew close with Margaret giving birth to their first son within a year of their marriage he was followed by yet another son and then a daughter born in 1306 who they would affectionately name Eleanor Edward and Eleanor's marriage was a remarkable partnership that helped to shape the course of English History together they accomplished great things both personally and politically and the legacy of this Royal marriage lives on to this day one of the most complex and trying times for Edward came in the form of a civil war he would fight in that would shape his worldview for the rest of his life the second Barons War erupted in 1264 when a group of Barons rebelled against King Henry demanding greater political representation and reforms to the Royal government this came after Henry's failed attempts to take the Sicilian crown for his other son Edmund lured into the idea by the Pope Simon De Montfort a powerful nobleman and Edward's Godfather emerged as the leader of the rebellion and quickly gained the support of many disaffected Nobles despite his personal relationship with the Montford Edward remained loyal to his father and fought against the rebels in several key battles however his early military campaigns were marked by setbacks and defeats as the rebels proved to be an extremely formidable foe the rebels were victorious at the Battle of lose in 1264 and this marked the high point of Simon De montfort's career awarding him the moniker of the uncrowned king of England during the battle Henry left the safety of Lou's Castle to engage the Barons and was initially successful with his son Prince Edward routing part of the barrel army with a devastating cavalry charge however Edward pursued the retreating man off the battlefield and left Henry's men Overexposed Henry was then forced to launch an infantry attack up off him hill where he was defeated by the Barons men who were defending the hilltop the royalists then fled back to the castle and the King was forced to sign the means of lose ceding many of his powers to De Montfort the turning point in the war came in 1265 at the Battle of yvesham Edward who had been taken captive by De montfort's forces earlier in the year after the battle of lose was able to escape his imprisonment and rejoin his father's Army De Montfort had also lost a significant amount of support since the rebels victory at lose and his army was greatly diminished with Edward's military expertise and Leadership the Royal forces were able to decisively defeat the rebel Army and De Montfort was killed in the battle and his body was mutilated despite his victory however Edward was deeply affected by the loss of his Godfather and by the violence of the conflict in the aftermath of the war he worked to reconcile with the former enemies and to establish a more stable government this complex relationship between Edward and De Montfort highlights the complexities of medieval politics and the personal ties that often underpinned political alliances Edward's loyalty to his father and his duty to the realm ultimately overcame his affections for his Godfather but he was not immune to the emotional toll of the conflict Edward's experiences as a captive also had a profound impact on his worldview and his approach to leadership during his captivity he was forced to rely on his own wit and resourcefulness to escape and this experience made him a more formidable adversary on the battlefield in later Wars in the Years following the second Barons War Edward would continue to face significant challenges including a rebellion in Wales as well as the long-standing conflicts with the Scots however his experiences in the war had taught him the importance of strategic thinking military power and the need for good governance these lessons would help shape his political and Military strategies in later years following the Civil War in England Edward felt the call of the holy land and wanted to go on a crusade with the other rulers Edward's desire to participate in Crusade was a common ambition for European monarchs of the time but it was also a costly and complex undertaking in order to finance his Crusade Edward had to raise a significant amount of funds which he did by imposing heavy taxes on his subjects as well as confiscating the property of Jews living in England despite this Edward was able to assemble a formidable army and set sail for the Holy Land in 1270. Edward's journey to Akra the primary Christian stronghold in the holy land was not without his challenges storms and poor weather delayed his arrival and his ships were attacked by Pirates along the way however he persevered and when he finally arrived in Akra he immediately went to work fortifying the city and preparing for battle against the Muslim forces that controlled much of the region the campaign itself was marked by a number of military successes including the capture of the coastal city of Nazareth and the defeat of a Muslim Army at the Battle of Holmes however these victories were tempered by a number of setbacks including the loss of many soldiers to disease as well as the failed and costly attempt to take the city of Tripoli despite these challenges Edward remained committed to the cause and his leadership as well as strategic thinking was praised by many of his fellow Crusaders however as time passed he became increasingly disillusioned with the Crusade which he saw as admired in political infighting and lacking a clear path to Victory he also narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by the order of Shiite Muslims more commonly known as the hashashing who are a radical sect of nazari Muslim assassins and he was forced to flee to Sicily afterwards after many years in the Holy Land Edward was forced to cut his Crusade short and return to England due in part to the illness and death of his father while he may not have achieved all of his goals Edward's experiences on Crusade undoubtedly shaped his perspective on leadership Warfare and the role of religion and political life upon his return to England in 1274 Edward found himself in a precarious position his father had died the previous year leaving behind the legacy of political instability and economic turmoil however Edward was determined to take the reins of power and restore stability back to the kingdom one of the first things Edward did upon becoming King was to undertake a series of legal reforms designed to strengthen the power of the monarchy and curb the influence of the rebellious barons he reformed the Royal household modernized the legal system and expanded the use of Jerry's in trials he also established a network of Royal officials known as justices of the Peace who are responsible for maintaining Law and Order in the provinces these reforms were not without their challenges though many of the Barons resented the encroachment on their power and were openly hostile towards the new king Edward's response was Swift and decisive he ruthlessly suppressed any attempts at Rebellion or Insurrection earning himself a reputation as a Stern and effective ruler he would not tolerate any insubordination and severely punish those who sought to undermine his power Edward's Ambitions were not limited to England alone though he also saw himself as a leader on the European stage and pursued a number of foreign policy objectives he engaged in diplomatic efforts with the Holy Roman Empire and sought to expand English influence in both Wales and Ireland launching a campaign against the Welsh Prince lilan of Griffith to finance the war in Wales Edward heavily taxed the Jewish money lenders when the Jews could no longer pay the heavy taxes they were accused of disloyalty Edward decreed that they were a threat to the crown and following this the Jews had their travel limited and they were forced to wear a yellow patch in the shape of a star on their clothing an idea that Adolf Hitler would adopt 650 years later over 300 Jews were taken to the Tower of London and executed while many more were murdered in their homes finally in 1290 Edward banished them from England with the expulsion edict concluding a vicious campaign against the Jews they would not return to the British Isles for 350 years these early campaigns were not always successful but they demonstrated Edward's strategic vision and his willingness to take bold risks and employ brutal tactics to pursue his goals they also laid the foundation for his later campaigns including the conquest of Scotland and his effort to assert English control over gascony as Edward's Reign progressed he continued to consolidate his power and expand his influence both at home and abroad he showed himself to be a complex and multifaceted ruler who wasn't afraid to use machiavellian's strategies against his enemies Edwards returned to England and his Ascension to the throne marked the beginning of a new chapter in English History his early reforms in military campaigns set the stage for his later triumphs and cemented his reputation as one of the most formidable monarchs of the Medieval era by the early 1290s Edward had firmly established himself as one of the most powerful monarchs in all Europe he had successfully suppressed a number of rebellions at home reformed the English legal system and expanded English influence in Wales and Ireland however his Ambitions did not stop there in 1290 the Scottish King Alexander III died leaving behind a power vacuum that threatened to destabilize the entire region Edward saw an opportunity to assert English dominance over Scotland and began a campaign to subjugate the Scottish people the first phase of this campaign was largely diplomatic Edward sought to negotiate with the various Scottish Clans and gain their support for his plan to install a puppet ruler in Edinburgh however when these negotiations failed he resorted to military force this resulted in Fierce Scottish resistance and the birth of a famous Scottish hero known as William Wallace the Scottish forces led by Wallace and Andrew Moray initially put up a strong resistance and winning a significant battle at Sterling Bridge forcing an English retreat but they were ultimately defeated by Edward's Superior military tactics and weaponry at the infamous Battle of Falkirk the Battle of Falkirk was one of the most significant conflicts in the Scottish Wars of Independence it took place on July 22 1298 and it was a decisive victory for the English under the leadership of King Edward led by William Wallace the Scots had enjoyed a string of Victories against the English in previous battles but at Falkirk they were no match for Edward's Superior military tactics and Technology the English deployed their longbowmen to devastating effect mowing down the Scottish spearmint in the front lines despite putting up a valiant fight the Scottish forces were ultimately overwhelmed and Wallace was forced to retreat the Battle of Falkirk was a significant turning point in the Scottish Wars of Independence as it marked the beginning of the end for the Scottish resistance to the English rule following the Battle Wallace was betrayed by another Scot and taken captive he was later executed and his body was torn apart and then publicly displayed as a warning against further rebellions the impact of this battle was felt for years to come as Edward continued to consolidate his power in Scotland and suppress any further uprisings the battle also served as a stark reminder of the power imbalance between England and Scotland and it helped to shape the relationship between the two Nations for centuries to come following this the Scottish King John baliel was deposed spending the remainder of his life in Exile and Edward declared himself the overlord of Scotland however Edward's victory was short-lived the Scottish people led by the legendary figure Robert de Bruce rallied behind their cause and launched a series of Guerrilla attacks on the English forces Edward responded with a brutal Crackdown including the infamous hanging of the Scots in 1305. despite these tactics the Scottish resistance continued Edward's son also named Edward was sent North to subdue the rebellious Scots but was defeated at the Battle of Bannockburn by Robert in 1314. this defeat was a major blow to Edward's reputation and marked the end of his attempts to conquer Scotland but while Edwards campaigns in Scotland may have ended in Failure his legacy as a legal reformer continued to shape the course of English History he established the principle of parliamentary representation strengthened the authority of the common law and reform the system of Taxation after the victory at Bannockburn the Scots would continue their struggle for Independence for decades until the late 1300s when they would officially secure their independence they remained thus until the unification of Great Britain in 1707. over the years Edward has been depicted in several movies most notably in the film's Braveheart and Outlaw King the movie Braveheart directed by Mel Gibson and released in 1995 is a historical epic about William Wallace the Scottish Warrior who led the resistance against English rule in the late 13th century during the first war of Scottish independence in the film Edward is betrayed as a ruthless Tyrant who orders the execution of Wallace and suppresses the Scottish Rebellion with brutal force he is also shown to be indifferent to killing his own men at the Battle of Falkirk as well as using other Machiavellian strategies to defeat and subdue the Scots while the portrayal of Edward in Braveheart is undoubtedly exaggerated for dramatic effect it does reflect some of the historical realities Edward was known for his military campaigns in Scotland and he did use brutal tactics to subdue and suppress resistance in the region however the film's portrayal of Edward as a bloodthirsty Tyrant is not entirely accurate and many historians have criticized the film for its historical inaccuracies nonetheless the film Braveheart is an excellent and well worth watch for anyone who is interested in King Edward or William Wallace the movie Outlaw King directed by David McKenzie and released in 2018 is another historical epic about the Scottish Rebellion against English rule this film focuses on the second Scottish rebellion and Robert the Bruce detailing his use of Guerrilla tactics against the English and the sacrifices he made during the Rebellion in this film Edward is portrayed as a cunning and manipulative Monarch who uses his political skill to outmaneuver the Scottish Rebels the portrayal of Edward in Outlaw King is far more nuanced than it is in Braveheart reflecting a greater attention to historical accuracy the film shows Edward as a shrewd and strategic leader who is able to maintain his grip on power despite facing significant challenges from Scottish Rebels the film also accurately depicts 13th century Warfare Faithfully depicting weapons and tactics used by both the English and the Scottish at the time despite the historical inaccuracies and artistic Liberties taken by these films they serve as an important reminder of Edward's lasting impact on British history and culture the films also reflect the enduring Fascination and interest that people have in this important historical figure and offer an engaging way to learn about Edward and the 13th century medieval period Edward died on July 7 1307 at the age of 68. his death was the result of a long illness which had plagued him for several months Edward's Death took place at Burr by Sands in Cumberland where he had been on military campaign against the Scots during their second Rebellion despite his failing Health Edward had insisted on continuing the campaign and his condition deteriorated rapidly after his death Edward's body was embalmed and taken to London where he was buried at Westminster Abbey his tomb is a magnificent work of medieval art with intricate carvings and statuettes depicting scenes from his life and reign as king of England Edward's Death marked the end of an era in English History as he had been one of the most powerful and influential Kings the country had ever seen despite his controversial and often brutal tactics there is no denying the impact that Edward had on the history of England as well as Wales and Scotland his military campaigns helped to establish English control over much of the British Isles and his legal reforms including the statute of rudland and the ordinances of 1301 helped shape English law and governance over these areas for centuries to come but it was not just in Military and political Affairs that Edward left his mark he is also seen as a significant figure in English culture and his legacy can be seen in everything from the achievement of his castles and palaces to the legal and administrative institutions that he would help establish in conclusion Edward was a complex and fascinating figure whose Life and Legacy continued to be studied and debated by historians to this day while his military campaigns and legal reforms were controversial there was no denying the impact that he had on British history and culture and his influence can still be felt in many ways today

Channel: History Vida

Views: 24,351

Keywords: history, Longshanks, Hammer of the Scots, Europe, medieval, medieval history, English history, Scotland, William Wallace, Braveheart, Outlaw King, Robert the Bruce, educational, hitsorical, Battler of Falkirk, Battle of Sterling Bridge, Medieval Warfare, Eleanor of Castile, King Edward, King Henry, Culture, Legacy, Influence

Id: ksEuiDm0uDs

Length: 31min 27sec (1887 seconds)

Published: Thu Mar 02 2023