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He is best remembered for his conquest of [[Wales]], and for the series of campaigns in [[Scotland]], for which he became known as the 'Hammer of the Scots'.  

He is best remembered for his conquest of [[Wales]], and for the series of campaigns in [[Scotland]], for which he became known as the 'Hammer of the Scots'.  

The Welsh and England had had a restive relationship for centuries, paralleled by  frequent periods of unrest within Wales as local rulers fought for supremacy. By 1250 the Welsh prince, [[Llewellyn II ap Gruffydd]] had been reduced to the rank of an English baron, owing fealty to the Crown of England. During the next couple of decades Llewellyn extended his control until, in 1267,  the Treaty of Montgomery recognised him as “Prince of Wales”, and although still a vassal of the King of England, he ruled a land recognised as purely Welsh.

The Welsh and England had had a restive relationship for centuries, paralleled by  frequent periods of unrest within Wales as local rulers fought for supremacy. By 1250 the Welsh prince, [[Llewellyn ap Gruffydd]] had been reduced to the rank of an English baron, owing fealty to the Crown of England. During the next couple of decades Llewellyn extended his control until, in 1267,  the Treaty of Montgomery recognised him as “Prince of Wales”, and although still a vassal of the King of England, he ruled a land recognised as purely Welsh.

In 1276 Edward perceived that Llewellyn had breached the Treaty of Montgomery. In what must be one of the greatest examples of overkill in medieval European history he mobilised the total forces of his realm, augmented by foreign troops and a large fleet, and in 1277 invaded Wales. The subsequent Peace of Aberconway was breached by Welsh forces hostile to Llewellyn and in 1282 Edward pounced again. Llewellan was killed in a skirmish, and his brother Dafydd was hunted down and hideously executed. A string of great concentric castles was built, and English law and customs began their march into the Welsh interior. The investiture of his son, Edward as [[Prince of Wales]] (which legend tells us was at Caernarvon Castle in 1284, but was in reality at Lincoln 17 years later) retained the perception of the State as a principality, but it was the principality belonging to the heir to the English throne.

In 1276 Edward perceived that Llewellyn had breached the Treaty of Montgomery. In what must be one of the greatest examples of overkill in medieval European history he mobilised the total forces of his realm, augmented by foreign troops and a large fleet, and in 1277 invaded Wales. The subsequent Peace of Aberconwy was breached by Welsh forces hostile to Llewellyn and in 1282 Edward pounced again. Llewellyn was killed in a skirmish, and his brother Dafydd was hunted down and hideously executed. A string of great concentric castles was built, and English law and customs began their march into the Welsh interior. The investiture of his son, Edward as [[Prince of Wales]] (which legend tells us was at Caernarvon Castle in 1284, but was in reality at Lincoln 17 years later) retained the perception of the State as a principality, but it was the principality belonging to the heir to the English throne.

The matter of Scotland had different causes and a much different outcome. In 1290, as self-appointed arbiter on who should be appointed to the Scottish throne left vacant by the death of the heirless “[[Maid of Norway]]”. The man Edward chose, [[John Baliol]], was  unpopular. He was also placed in the invidious position of being forced to pay homage to Edward and to supply Scottish forces for forthcoming hostilities in France. He made a treaty with France. When Edward’s forces attacked France, the Scots attacked England. So Edward invaded Scotland. He was immediately successful, but holding on to the prize was difficult. First [[William Wallace]] (until captured and killed in 1305), then [[Robert the Bruce]], led rebellions against the invaders. Edward did not live to see the result of Bruce’s uprising. In 1307 he died.

The matter of Scotland had different causes and a much different outcome. In 1290, as self-appointed arbiter on who should be appointed to the Scottish throne left vacant by the death of the heirless “[[Maid of Norway]]”. The man Edward chose, [[John Baliol]], was  unpopular. He was also placed in the invidious position of being forced to pay homage to Edward and to supply Scottish forces for forthcoming hostilities in France. He made a treaty with France. When Edward’s forces attacked France, the Scots attacked England. So Edward invaded Scotland. He was immediately successful, but holding on to the prize was difficult. First [[William Wallace]] (until captured and killed in 1305), then [[Robert the Bruce]], led rebellions against the invaders. Edward did not live to see the result of Bruce’s uprising. In 1307 he died.