Edward I

English king who conquered Wales, summoned the "Model Parliament," and was called the "Hammer of the Scots."

Life

Barons' War

Edward I was the son of Henry III; as a young man he defeated Simon de Montfort in the Barons' War. After taking the throne in 1272 he systematically reorganized the law and issued a series of statutes, earning the name "the English Justinian."

Conquest of Wales

In 1282–1283 he conquered Wales, building a great many castles such as Caernarfon and Harlech, and made his eldest son "Prince of Wales." In 1295 he summoned a parliament that included representatives of knights and townsmen, later known as the "Model Parliament."

Hammer of the Scots

He intervened in the Scottish succession struggle and from 1296 repeatedly invaded Scotland; in 1305 he executed the resistance leader William Wallace, earning the name "Hammer of the Scots." In 1290 he ordered the expulsion of the Jews from England. He died in 1307 while on campaign against Scotland.

Legacy

Edward I's legislation and parliamentary practice had a far-reaching influence on the development of English constitutional government, but his conquests in Wales and Scotland left a lasting national memory.

Did you know? The "Longshanks" king in the film Braveheart is him.

Key dates

• 1265Defeats Simon de Montfort
• 1272Accession
• 1283Conquest of Wales
• 1290Expels the Jews
• 1295Summons the Model Parliament
• 1305Executes William Wallace
• 1307Died