Short Synopsis
The first major biography of a truly formidable king, whose reign was one of the most dramatic and important of the entire Middle Ages, leading to war and conquest on an unprecedented scale.

Full Synopsis
Edward I is familiar to millions as "Longshanks," conqueror of Scotland and nemesis of Sir William Wallace (in Braveheart). Yet this story forms only the final chapter of the king's action-packed life. Earlier, Edward had defeated and killed the famous Simon de Montfort, traveled to the Holy Land, and conquered Wales. He raised the greatest armies of the Middle Ages and summoned the largest parliaments. Notoriously, he expelled all the Jews from his kingdom.

In this book, Marc Morris examines afresh the forces that drove Edward throughout his relentless career: his character, his Christian faith, and his sense of England's destiny—a sense shaped in particular by the tales of the legendary King Arthur. He also explores the competing reasons that led Edward's opponents (including Robert Bruce) to resist him.

"Narrator Ralph Lister delivers a vivid picture of medieval England as described in this well-researched audiobook on King Edward I." ---AudioFile

"[V]ivid details and an engaging narrative style bring the man and his period to life." ---Library Journal Starred Review

"This is an informative and easily digestible account of the life of an important if often unattractive medieval monarch." ---Booklist

"Richly contextual treatment of a pivotal Medieval English monarch who consolidated the British Isles, but at violent cost and future retribution." ---Kirkus

Bestseller

AudioFile Earphones Award Winner

Library Journal Review