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A Great and Terrible King

Edward I and the Forging of Britain
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( 4,978 ratings, 416 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
A Great and Terrible King by Marc Morris is a historical account of the life of Edward I, one of England's most formidable and controversial monarchs. The book delves into his reign, focusing on his military campaigns, legal reforms, and the complex political landscape of the 13th century. Morris provides a detailed exploration of Edward's ambitions and the immense challenges he faced in shaping a unified and powerful Britain.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you're intrigued by tales of medieval history and enjoy exploring the complex personalities of historical figures, this book offers a captivating look into the reign of one of England’s most formidable monarchs. It vividly portrays the political and military strategies that shaped a nation, making it a must-read for anyone fascinated by the intricacies of power during the Middle Ages.

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conquered Wales, extinguishing forever its native rulers, and constructed - at Conwy, Harlech, Beaumaris and Caernarfon - the most magnificent chain of castles ever created.

The first popular biography of Edward I in a generation by a major new historian.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The first popular biography of Edward I in a generation by a major new historian.

This is the first major biography for a generation of a truly formidable king. Edward I is familiar to millions as ‘Longshanks’, conqueror of Scotland and nemesis of Sir William Wallace (Braveheart). Edward was born to rule England but believed that it was his right to rule all of Britain. His reign was one of the most dramatic of the entire Middle Ages, leading to war and conquest on an unprecedented scale, and leaving a legacy of division that has lasted from his day to our own.

In his astonishingly action-packed life, Edward defeated and killed the famous Simon de Montfort in battle; travelled across Europe to the Holy Land on crusade; conquered Wales, extinguishing forever its native rulers, and constructed—at Conwy, Harlech, Beaumaris and Caernarfon—the most magnificent chain of castles ever created. After the death of his first wife, he erected the Eleanor Crosses—the grandest funeral monuments ever fashioned for an English monarch.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Marc Morris delivers a fluent and engaging narrative of Edward I's life in A Great and Terrible King. Critics praise Morris for successfully capturing the essence of Edward's personal rule and the broader historical context of Britain during his reign. The book is highlighted for its readability and thought-provoking insights, providing a comprehensive and historically contextualised biography of this influential king.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099481751

Publisher: Cornerstone

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 March 2009

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Windmill Books

Illustration: 16

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 31.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 353g

Pages: 480

About the Author

Dr Marc Morris is a historian who specializes in the Middle Ages. He studied and taught at the universities of London and Oxford and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. His other books include a bestselling history of the Norman Conquest and highly acclaimed biographies of King John and Edward I (A Great and Terrible King). He also presented the TV series Castle and wrote its accompanying book. He contributes regularly to other history programmes on radio and television and writes for numerous journals and magazines.

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