Product Description

Professor Prestwich's study of Edward I, first published in 1988, is a full-length account of one of the leading monarchs of the Middle Ages. A king who pioneered legal and parliamentary change, conquered Wales and came close to conquering Scotland, Edward also governed Gascony in south-west France and played a major part in European diplomacy and war. Examining the full range of manuscript sources, the book reveals a capable monarch facing complex simultaneous challenges.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #327414 in Books
• Published on: 1997-04-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 640 pages

Customer Reviews

An exhaustive portrayal of Edward I, a remarkable king and his long and significant reign
For over thirty years the English Monarchs series has brought the highest standards of historical scholarship to the widest possible readership. Harnessing the latest research, leading historians scrutinize the lives of the kings and queens of England and explore their impact.

Michael Prestwich is a historian, specialising on the history of medieval England, in particular the reign of Edward I. He is currently Professor of History at Durham University, and was Head of the Department of History until 2007.

His book on Edward I was first published in 1988, it is now reissued with a new introduction and updated bibliographic guide.

The reign of Edward I splits into two distinct periods:

1274 to 1294 : His foreign policy was highly successful, and his domestic policies of administrative and legal centralization were without much opposition;
1294 to 1307: Edward I's wars were inconclusive, and his relations with his people were bad.

His reign remains one of the most productive. It was a period of immense legal and administrative accomplishment and decisive constitutional development. But there was a lot of warfare and whether one wants to adamire the king for this I leave to each of you.

This books is so rich in historical fact and details, for some maybe too detailed. It is a a scholarly study, with much academic depth and properly not appealing to everybody or a general audience. However, it allows you a close inspection of this "great and terrible King" as a recent biograpy on Edward likes to call him. The extremely balanced account offers a deep insight into this reign. It is clearly and gracefully written, soundly argued, and respectful of older authorities while recognizing new works.

All in all, a book with fits perfetcly into this most amazing series, no light entertainment, but immensely rewarding.

Well rounded research
Prestwich has certainly written the best I've read on Edward I to date. However, there were sections where he goes a little deeper into legal tangents than would normally interest me. The Yale series is very promising and well worth reading. Saul's Richard II in this series was the best, but Edward I will give a good, unbiased view of this king who is difficult not to be biased about.

excellent work on the life of Longshanks
This books is so rich in historical fact and details, drawn from medieval records of that period. For someone wanting more than the superficial, this book supplies it, showing Edward in a scholarly fashion rather than the usual pro or con look. Very balanced in presentation and offers us a deep insight into the man who remade England, conquered the Welsh and Irish, fought France and faced the rise of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

Highly recommended.