Edward I

From Encyclopediak

Edward I 1239-1307, successor of Henry VI as King of England. Returning from a crusade in 1273, he was informed at Capua of his father's death, and was crowned the next year. Early in his reign he subdued the Welsh under Llewellyn and in 1824 annexed Wales to the English crown. He engaged in a long contest to conquer Scotland, securing a foothold when appeal was made to him to decide between the various claimants to the throne. During the struggle he defeated John Bahol in 1296 and drove him into exile, taking back to England the famous Stone of Scone. In 1305 he defeated William Wallace and had him beheaded. But no sooner had he organized the new government of the country than another uprising occurred under the younger Robert Bruce. Thereupon Edward, now weighted with years, undertook to invade Scotland again, but led within sight of the country. Edward also engaged in a conflict with France, which, however, accomplished little. The chief significance of his reign lies in the fact that in order to secure the cooperation of his own subjects for his various enterprises, he convoked, in 1295, representative Parliament, with the significant words, "What touches all should be approved of all." This action established the Parliamentary constitution of England.