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Edward the First
Edward the First, Hammer of the Scots, is one of England’s most celebrated kings.
The son of Henry III, as a young prince Edward was given the task of reducing the dependence of Ireland and Wales on the royal purse. At this time barons put pressure on the English throne; Edward’s father was not a king who was strong in his rule, so Edward fought the Battle of Evesham to protect the rule of his father, showing the sort of bravery he himself would display as king of England.
He then joined the Crusades before acceding to the throne, where he resolved to make England supreme in Britain as well as the mediator of Europe. He sought to make the Welsh people English, and to enforce the shire system upon them for better governance. In Scotland, Edward had to monitor the pretenders to the throne and their alliance with France.
Edward was concerned with the regions of France and Wales who went against treaties and fought for their independence and dominance over the man who was Duke over those areas, including Gascony and Cheshire. Yet Edward was hamstrung by the debts he had inherited, owing money to bankers and needing money for his grand designs.
In his dealings on the continent, Edward won a sure and foremost place for England in the councils of Europe. At home, he pushed through new legislation, particularly with regard to estate law, and reformed every branch of the English judicial system and, Tout argues, created the English constitution. He also re-organised the House of Lords and ensured better representation in the commons.
Yet towards the end of his reign his subjects began to disagree with his foreign policy and Scotland, led by William Wallace, grew increasingly fractious.
T.F. Tout (1855-1929) was an historian and professor at Manchester Victoria University. He wrote a six-volume history of Medieval England.
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The son of Henry III, as a young prince Edward was given the task of reducing the dependence of Ireland and Wales on the royal purse. At this time barons put pressure on the English throne; Edward’s father was not a king who was strong in his rule, so Edward fought the Battle of Evesham to protect the rule of his father, showing the sort of bravery he himself would display as king of England.
He then joined the Crusades before acceding to the throne, where he resolved to make England supreme in Britain as well as the mediator of Europe. He sought to make the Welsh people English, and to enforce the shire system upon them for better governance. In Scotland, Edward had to monitor the pretenders to the throne and their alliance with France.
Edward was concerned with the regions of France and Wales who went against treaties and fought for their independence and dominance over the man who was Duke over those areas, including Gascony and Cheshire. Yet Edward was hamstrung by the debts he had inherited, owing money to bankers and needing money for his grand designs.
In his dealings on the continent, Edward won a sure and foremost place for England in the councils of Europe. At home, he pushed through new legislation, particularly with regard to estate law, and reformed every branch of the English judicial system and, Tout argues, created the English constitution. He also re-organised the House of Lords and ensured better representation in the commons.
Yet towards the end of his reign his subjects began to disagree with his foreign policy and Scotland, led by William Wallace, grew increasingly fractious.
T.F. Tout (1855-1929) was an historian and professor at Manchester Victoria University. He wrote a six-volume history of Medieval England.
Albion Press is an imprint of Endeavour Press, the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
- GenresHistory
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2010
8 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Frederick Tout
78 books7 followersThomas Frederick Tout was a 19th- and 20th-century British historian of the medieval period.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 3, 2019
Edward sounds like the basis for every chivalry/knight story. Like where a boy is a bit sadistic as a kid but after his dad imposes some responsibility on him he sees the error of his ways and decides to channel his aggression into something positive.
I haven't read the William Wallace perspective on this, that would be interesting too.
I haven't read the William Wallace perspective on this, that would be interesting too.
October 14, 2025
Read with the competent audiobook by Pamela Nagami which is free with Librivox
Clear and concise history of Edward I (my introduction to him and the period)
Clear and concise history of Edward I (my introduction to him and the period)
December 27, 2015
Well Balanced History
Having grown up in the age of Braveheart and always being aware of my significantly Scottish ancestry (3/8th at last attempted reckoning), you might be surprised at my positive review for a historical work about the King known as the Hammer of the Scots and the subduer of the Welsh; but if Tout does an incredible job of recounting the past in a non-judgmental manner, he also manages to not gloss over the grittier portions of the king's character and actions. While certainly not biographical history, Tout infuses just enough of the personal and personality to enable the modern reader to at least comprehend the disparities and occasional cruelties of the medieval king, if not accept or understand them. The author clearly believes that, when all factors are weighed and historical perspective is accounted for, Edward I can be deemed a successful and good king. At the least, his kingship certainly shines when compared to his two predecessors and his immediate successor, but the author's bias does not fully take into account the far-reaching consequences of Edward's Welsh and Scottish policies. In terms of England's history and the consequences of his domestic policies, Tout declares him a resounding success.
On the whole, the prose is concise and clear. Eminently readable for both the novice and the scholar.
Having grown up in the age of Braveheart and always being aware of my significantly Scottish ancestry (3/8th at last attempted reckoning), you might be surprised at my positive review for a historical work about the King known as the Hammer of the Scots and the subduer of the Welsh; but if Tout does an incredible job of recounting the past in a non-judgmental manner, he also manages to not gloss over the grittier portions of the king's character and actions. While certainly not biographical history, Tout infuses just enough of the personal and personality to enable the modern reader to at least comprehend the disparities and occasional cruelties of the medieval king, if not accept or understand them. The author clearly believes that, when all factors are weighed and historical perspective is accounted for, Edward I can be deemed a successful and good king. At the least, his kingship certainly shines when compared to his two predecessors and his immediate successor, but the author's bias does not fully take into account the far-reaching consequences of Edward's Welsh and Scottish policies. In terms of England's history and the consequences of his domestic policies, Tout declares him a resounding success.
On the whole, the prose is concise and clear. Eminently readable for both the novice and the scholar.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews