Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain
A Great and Terrible King: Edward I and the Forging of Britain | Marc Morris
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. 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 in battle; travelled to the Holy Land; conquered Wales, extinguishing forever its native rulers and constructing a magnificent chain of castles. He raised the greatest armies of the Middle Ages and summoned the largest parliaments; notoriously, he expelled all the Jews from his kingdom.The longest-lived of England's medieval kings, he fathered fifteen children with his first wife, Eleanor of Castile, and, after her death, he erected the Eleanor Crosses—the grandest funeral monuments ever fashioned for an English monarch. 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. The result is a sweeping story, immaculately researched yet compellingly told, and a vivid picture of medieval Britain at the moment when its future was decided.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
LitStephanie
post image
Pickpick

I highly recommend this for anyone interested in British medieval history. Edward I did terrible things: expelled all Jews from England, used trickery and atrocities to conquer Scotland, and subjugated the Welsh and forced them to fight in his wars, to name a few. But there is no question he was an exceptionally strong, effective king and a brilliant strategist. Morris lays out a very good case that his reign forged Britain as we know it. 👇

LitStephanie The audio reader is great, and pronounces all the French and Welsh names better than I ever could. This history is told from the perspective of an English historian telling the story of Edward I, so there isn't much of a discussion of how his policies harmed people. This same story would probably sound different if told by a Welsh or Scottish historian. Very well written, and I was never bored in 18 hours of listening. 3w
15 likes1 comment
review
CindiB
Mehso-so

I am rating this so-so because of my feelings towards Edward I. Marc Morris‘ book is clearly well researched and I liked his chronology approach to telling story of Edward‘s life and reign. A great King he was-for territories he gained, his prowess in war, and understanding of when to be lenient and fair-but I am too darned prejudiced against him to ever be a fan. Also, this was a lengthy read that exceeded my interest. Glad it‘s over. 3.5/5

MsMelissa Too bad you didn‘t like this one more. I thought it was excellent. Edward I had his faults no question, but he also left a lasting political and legal legacy. 4y
CindiB True @Book_Fiend_Melissa but I have a vast love of Wales, hence my use of the word prejudice. 4y
MsMelissa As someone descended from Scots I know exactly what you mean. 4y
CindiB Indeed you do! 4y
38 likes4 comments
blurb
CindiB
post image

I‘m a knitter and reading the switching of allegiances Gilbert de Clare, the Duke of Gloucester, did between Montfordian and royalist sides reminds me of a wandering cable .... there is more to gain here, so I will go to Montfort, but I do not like him/style/I want more so I will go to the royalist side, but Henry III word can‘t be trusted, but then Edward says .... so I will recommit myself here ... wait it‘s Monday, I will go here; exhausting!

CindiB Just want to say that cable is by Melissa Leapman. 4y
MsMelissa This was an excellent book. 4y
CindiB I am enjoying it very much @Book_Fiend_Melissa. More than I would have thought, as with Edward, my opinion tends to lean towards terrible. What will I think at the end? Not sure. 4y
PurpleTulipGirl Sounds accurate! History is full of people who somehow managed to successfully realign more than once. 4y
54 likes4 comments
quote
Jace-Proir
post image

"A bigoted man, he lived in a bigoted age, and was king of a bigoted people"

I think this quote is quite brilliant, it recognises that in his dealings with the Jewish community, Edward l acted in a way that was completely acceptable and normal for his time, while never using it to justify his actions.

It does what we all should do and looks at the man in the context of his era and then criticises him and the era accordingly.

RaimeyGallant Deep. 7y
RaimeyGallant And a belated welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon Some of us put together Litsy tips to help new Littens navigate the site. It's the link in my bio on my page in case you need it. (edited) 7y
Jace-Proir Thanks! @RaimeyGallant I'll be sure to check it out 😄 (edited) 7y
5 likes3 comments
review
Jace-Proir
post image
Pickpick

I bought this book thinking it was historical fiction, then found that it was more a biography. To my immense surprise it was easy to read and I enjoyed it enormously. Morris takes you on a journey through Edward the 1st's life from his frustratingly controlled teenage years to his slaughter of the Scots, and while in no way condoning his most vile actions he does show how the events of Edward's life led him to become a great and terrible king.

Libby1 Hi, @Jace-Proir ! How are you? If you ever want to borrow the Miss Peregrine books let me know. You‘ve convinced me about the N.K. Jemisin books! I have the first one but haven‘t gotten to it yet. I want to finish 2 or 3 series before I start a new one! 7y
Jace-Proir Hi @Libby1 I'm keeping well, how are you? Definitely would like to borrow the Miss Peregrine books 📚. If you want I've got the second and third books of the broken earth trilogy if you want to borrow them? 7y
Libby1 Can I borrow the second one? 😃 Call round any time. Do you know where we live? 7y
Jace-Proir @Libby1 sure you can, I'll have to double check with you on Facebook PM where you live. It could be a week or two before I get it round though as I'm up in Belfast for the next week or two... 7y
Libby1 Okeedokee! 7y
5 likes2 stack adds5 comments
blurb
booklover76
post image

Do you ever get on a genre binge? I think I am in the midst of a nonfiction binge. First a memoir, then a history of/current events analysis of Facebook and now this book. Light summer reading. Lol
Looking forward to reading this book. I don't know much about Edward Longshanks other than what I saw in Braveheart