Edward I of England

Britain may have had more than its fair share of kings, but King Edward I is most certainly one for the record books. Edward I was a foundational figure in every sense. It was Edward who conquered Wales and incorporated it into England. It was Edward who set the stage for the conquest of Scotland—a brutal campaign that would define the final years of his reign and ignite centuries of conflict.

Edward certainly had his critics, but his strength and tenacity were just about unmatched. So too was his audacity. The man was audacious enough, after all, to embark upon a crusade at a time when the crusaders had very nearly been driven into the sea by their opponents. If anyone felt they could snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, it was King Edward I. Whether forging an empire or refusing to accept the impossible, Edward never backed down. This is his life—this is his story.