Ambitious and impulsive, Edward wasted no time in enforcing his will on his neighbours.Īs an ominous precursor for his plans for Scotland, Edward attacked Wales.ĭuring the 1250s Edward's father, Henry III, had mounted military campaigns in an attempt to control and dominate Wales. It was while returning from the Crusade that Edward learned that his father, Henry III, had died and that he was now the King of England. In 1266 Edward received international accolade for his role in the 8th and 9th Crusades to the Holy Land where he helped secure the survival of the beleagured coastal city of Acre. Domestically and abroad Edward proved himself as a soldier and a leader of men. The money raised from this dark practise was used to fund his his ambition to be overlord of the Scotland and Wales.Īs a younger man Edward forged an impressive reputation as a man of action.

In 1290 the Jews were expelled from England – minus their money and property. Proving both lucrative and popular, Edward extended this policy further. In 1275 Edward issues the Statute of Jewry that persecuted the Jewish population of England and imposed severe taxation on them. Edward also devised far uglier means of raising money. He also made great use of his Parliament – a strategy that helped maintain stability in the country and, more importantly for Edward, brought in regular sums of money to enable Edward to pursue his ambitions. He managed to control and placate the unruly English barons and unite them behind him.Ī learned scholar, Edward also took great personal interest in matters of administration and government and introduced reforms and ideas learnt whilst staying abroad in the family-held territory of Gascony.

Upon succeeding to the throne on 1272 Edward did much to rectify these issues. The reign of his father, Henry III, was marked by internal instability and military failure. Intelligent and impatient, Edward proved to be a highly effective king. Through his campaigns against Scotland he would come to be known after his death as 'Scottorum malleus' – the Hammer of the Scots.

One of the most effective English kings, Edward was also one of Scotland's greatest adversaries.

Crusader kings 2 scotland