Edward I

1239-1272. Oldest son of Henry III and Eleanor of Provence.

Born 17 June 1239 at Westminster. He was named after saint Edward the Confessor. In 1254 at the age of 15 Edward married the 9-year-old Eleanor of Castile of Spain. As Duke of Gascony Edward spent a year there. He fought in the civil wars of his father. Edward accompanied King Louis IX of France on a crusade starting in August 1270 and arriving in Acre in May 1271. King Louis died in Tunis.

After Eleanor’s death in 1290, Edward married the 17-year-old Margaret of France. All in all Edward had 18 legitimate children [1]. After the death of his father Henry III on 16 November 1272 Edward succeeded to the throne. He died 7 July 1307. His successor was his son Edward II.

Sources

• http://www.castlewales.com/edward.html, 01.05.2010, 14:45.
• http://www.englishmonarchs.co.uk/plantagenet_5.htm, 01.05.2010, 14:52.
• http://www.royal.gov.uk/HistoryoftheMonarchy/KingsandQueensofEngland/ThePlantagenets/EdwardILongshanks.aspx, 01.05.2010, 14:01.
• Morris, Marc. A Great and Terrible King. Edward I and the Forging of Britain. London: Hutchinson 2008.