EDWARD I, LONGSHANKS(1272-1307 AD)
13Edward I, the oldest surving son of Henry III and Eleanor of Provence, was born in 1239. He was nicknamed Longshanks due to his great height and stature. Edward married Eleanor of Castille in 1254, who bore him sixteen children (seven of whom survived into adulthood) before her death in 1290. Edward reached a peace settlement with Philip IV of France that resulted with his marriage to the French king's sister, Margaret, who bore him three more children.
Edward I was a capable statesman, adding much to the institutions initiated by Henry II . In 1295, his "Model Parliament" brought together representatives from the nobility, clergy, knights of the shires and burgesses of the cities - the first gathering of Lords and Commons. Feudal revenues proved inadequate in financing the burgeoning royal courts and administrative institutions; summoning national Parliaments became the accepted forum of gaining revenue and conducting public business. Judicial reform included the expansion of such courts as the King's Bench, Common Pleas and Exchequer, and the Chancery Court was established to give redress in circumstances where other courts provided on solution. Edward was pious, but resisted any increase of papal authority in England. Conservators of the Peace, the forerunners of Justices of the Peace, were also established as an institution.
Foreign policy, namely the unification of the island's other nations, occupied much of Edward's time. A major campaign to control Llywelyn ap Gruffydd of Wales began in 1277 and lasted until Llywelyn's death in 1282. In 1301, the king's eldest son was created Prince of Wales, a title still held by all male heirs to the crown. Margaret, Maid of Norway and legitimate heir to the Scottish crown, died in 1290, leaving a disputed succession in Scotland . Edward was asked to arbitrate between thirteen different claimants. John Baliol, Edward's first choice, was unpopular, and it was Robert Bruce who seized the Scottish throne in 1306, later to become a source of consternation to Edward II.
Edward died en route to yet another Scottish campaign in 1307. His character found accurate evaluation by Sir Richard Baker, in A Chronicle of the Kings of England : He had in him the two wisdoms, not often found in any, single; both together, seldom or never: an ability of judgment in himself, and a readiness to hear the judgment of others. He was not easily provoked into passion, but once in passion, not easily appeased, as was seen by his dealing with the Scots; towards whom he showed at first patience, and at severity. If he be censured for his many taxations, he may be justified by his well bestowing them; for never prince laid out his money to more honour of himself, or good of his kingdom."