Medieval England: the reign of Edward I, 1272–1307

Edward I and government

• Edward I became king in 1272 while away on crusade. He reformed the law with statutes such as the Statutes of Westminster, and his Quo Warranto inquiries asked by what right lords held their powers.
• He called parliaments often to raise taxes; the Model Parliament (1295) included knights and townsmen as well as lords.

Wales

• Edward fought Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales, in 1277 and again in 1282–83. Llywelyn was killed in 1282.
• The Statute of Rhuddlan (1284) brought Wales under English rule, and Edward built great castles such as Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris.

Scotland and the Jews

• Edward chose John Balliol as King of Scots after the Great Cause (1291–92), then invaded Scotland in 1296 and took the Stone of Scone. William Wallace won at Stirling Bridge (1297), lost at Falkirk (1298) and was executed in 1305. Robert the Bruce was crowned in 1306.
• The Statute of the Jewry (1275) banned Jewish moneylending, and in 1290 Edward expelled the Jews from England. He died in 1307, on his way to fight the Scots.

Key terms

Statute

A law made by the king in Parliament.

Quo Warranto

Inquiries into 'by what warrant' lords held their rights.

Model Parliament

The 1295 parliament with lords, knights and townsmen.

Statute of Rhuddlan

The 1284 law bringing Wales under English rule.

Great Cause

The 1291–92 dispute over who should be King of Scots.

Edict of Expulsion

Edward's 1290 order expelling the Jews.

Quick questions on Medieval England: the reign of Edward I, 1272–1307

Where was Edward I when he became king in 1272?

Away on crusade: He returned in 1274.

What were the Quo Warranto inquiries?

Asking by what right lords held their powers: They strengthened royal authority.

What was the Model Parliament (1295)?

A parliament including knights and townsmen as well as lords: It helped raise taxes for war.

Which Welsh prince was killed in 1282?

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd: Wales came under English rule.

What did the Statute of Rhuddlan (1284) do?

Brought Wales under English rule: Edward built castles to hold Wales.

Which of these castles did Edward build in Wales?

Caernarfon: Others include Conwy, Harlech and Beaumaris.

Who won the Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297)?

William Wallace: Edward beat him at Falkirk (1298).

What did Edward take from Scotland in 1296?

The Stone of Scone: It was used in crowning Scottish kings.