Edward+I+Longshanks

**Edward I Longshanks **


Edward I "Longshanks" was a king of England who was one of the Medieval Times' strongest military leaders and is also remembered for his governmental reforms and developing England's Parliament. Edward was the son of King Henry III and Eleanor of Provence. He was married twice, to Eleanor of Castile, and Margaret of France and also had a total of 17 children. He devoted his life to governmental reforms and warfare. Edward I became king of England in 1274 after his father's death in 1272. His greatest military achievement was conquering Wales and putting most of Wales under English rule. He then made his son the first English prince of Wales. He also attempted to conquer Scotland and France but was unsuccessful and died shortly after. At one point, Simon de Montfort and Richard (earl of Cornwall) thought that they should take a large permanent role in the kingdom because of Henry III's incompetence. First, Edward sided with de Montfort, and was against his father. But, Henry III gained Edward's loyalty. After that, Simon de Montfort and Edward I became enemies. One of Edward's greatest battles was in 1264 at the Battle of Lewes, when he was captured by de Montfort, also his uncle, and had to hand over Edward II as a hostage. Edward I escaped and in 1265, at the Battle of Evesham, defeated de Montfort.

Edward I is also remembered for his many governmental reforms. He enlarged English Parliament to include representatives of towns all over England. He did this to gain authority, and to decide how laws should apply in certain situations. He also asserted the right to collect all debts owed to English Jews and sold their houses and property at a profit. In a debate called the Great Cause, Edward I chose John Balliol to be king of Scotland. Edward I died in 1307. He had little confidence in his son Edward II who took his throne. Edward II undid many of Edward I's achievements. Works Cited
 * “Edward I.” Historic World Leaders. N.p.: Gale, 1994. N. pag. Biography Resource Center. Web. 9 Mar. 2010.
 * “Edward I of England.” The Middle Ages: An Encyclopedia For Students. Ed. William Chester Jordan. Vol. 2. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1996. 45. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 5 Mar. 2010.
 * “File:Edward I of England.png.” Wikimedia Commons. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Aug. 2009. Web. 1 Apr. 2010. .