EDWARD I

(of the Norman line), King of England, son of Henry III, was born at Winchester in 1239, died jth July, 1307. The contests between his father and the barons called him early into active life, and he finally quelled all resistance to the royal authority by the decisive defeat of Leicester at the battle of Evesham, in 1265. He then proceeded to Palestine, where he showed signal proofs of valour, although no conquest of any importance was achieved. His father’s death in 1272 gave him the crown. On his return home he showed great vigour as well as a degree of severity in his administration. He commenced a war with Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, which ended in the annexation of that Principality to the English Crown in 1283. Edward’s ambition was to gain po e ion of Scotland, but the death of Margaret, the Maid of Norway, who was to have been married to Edward’s son, for a time frustrated the king’s designs. But on 26th Dec., 1292, John Baliol was induced to do homage for his crown to Edward at Newcastle. Baliol was forced by the indignation of the Scottish people into war with England. Edward entered Scotland in 1296, devastated it with fire and sword, and placed the administration of the country in the hands of officers of his own. Next summer a new rising took place under William Wallace. Wallace’s succe es recalled Edward to Scotland with an army of 100,000 men. Wallace was at length betrayed into his hands and executed as a traitor. All Edward’s efforts, however, to reduce the country to obedience were unavailing, and with the flight of Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick, to Scotland, the banner of Scottish independence was again unfurled. Edward a embled another army and marched against Bruce, but only lived to reach Burgh-on-Sands, & village near Car lisle, where he died. Edward I was wise in council and vigorous in action. During his reign 69 EDWARD II 6 great progre was made in the establishment of law and order throughout the land.