Book Review – A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain
By Marc Morris – Published 5th of March 2009
Edward I, also known as Edward Longshanks, was the eldest son of King Henry III. He was a staunch and ruthless leader and Marc Morris writes an unforgettable account of this warrior-king, perhaps one of the greatest rulers of the Plantagenet dynasty. Edward ruled from 1272 up until his death in 1307, where ironically he was on his way to Scotland with his army when he died – perhaps a fitting end for the “Hammer of the Scots”.
Edward was perhaps the pinnacle of most medieval monarchs; he was not only a great warrior but also a cunning tactician, most notably for his numerous military conquests as well as his role in the Crusades. He was also responsible for the construction of a number of castles and towns, many of which still stand to this day.
Edward is best known for his conquests in Wales and Scotland, which are laid bare in pop culture such as “Braveheart” (1995), and the more recent Netflix adaptation “Outlaw King” (2018).
Regardless of his flaws, of which he had many, such as expelling all the Jews from England, displaying huge outbursts of rage, and levying heavy taxes upon the realm, Edward was a great monarch as well as a loyal husband and loving father. Morris shows us the personal side to his kingship and the love he had for his wife, Eleanor of Castile, with whom he shared fifteen children.
Morris superbly writes a detailed account of the king’s greatest achievements and failures while keeping readers glued to the page. It is extremely readable and very hard to put down, intensely researched with Morris’ ability to colourfully tell a great story. A must-read for those who love medieval history, Morris is a master storyteller and you won’t be disappointed.
Buy it here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Terrible-King-Forging-Britain/dp/0099481758/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1