King Edward I Of England
He subdued the Welsh princes then turned his attention to Scotland
He was born on 17th June 1239, being the eldest son of King Henry III (reigned 1216–72) and Eleanor of Provence. He grew to be particularly tall for his time, and thus acquired the nickname “Longshanks”.
He was attracted to all things martial, such as jousting and swordplay, and in these and other matters offered a marked contrast to his father.
However, his character during his early years was not all that it should have been, in that his extravagant lifestyle led to him running up debts and failing to control his household. Egotistical and self-interested, he allowed personal quarrels to clash with issues of principle.
Despite these personal failings, it was largely his efforts as a general that enabled his father to come out on top during the “Baron’s War” of 1264–7. Victory at the Battle of Evesham in 1265 was due almost entirely to Edward’s generalship.
In 1270 Edward joined the Ninth Crusade to the Holy Land and was away from England for the next four years. He was therefore absent when his father died in 1272, and returned two years later as King.
