Liber de Antiquis Legibus 1255. 30 Nov 1255. In the same year, Sir Edward (age 16), the King's eldest son, came to London from Gascoigne, on the Vigil of Saint Andrew [30 November], the City being handsomely hung with tapestry for the occasion.

On 24 Jun 1268 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 29) took the cross at Northampton, Northamptonshire [Map], along with his brother [his brother] Edmund "Crouchback" Plantagenet 1st Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Lancaster (age 23) and cousin Henry "Almain" Cornwall (age 32), from Papal Legate Ottobuono Fieschi (age 58).

On 20 Aug 1270 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 31) and [his wife] Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England (age 29) sailed from Dover, Kent [Map] to Tunis via Sicily. On arrival at Sicily King Charles Capet of Sicily (age 43), brother of the recently deceased King Louis IX of France (age 56), had signed a treaty with the Emir so Edward returned to Sicily.

Before 09 May 1271 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 31) and [his wife] Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England (age 30) sailed from Palermo and travelled to Acre arriving on 09 May 1271. They were later joined by [his brother] Edmund "Crouchback" Plantagenet 1st Earl of Leicester 1st Earl Lancaster (age 26), John "The Red" Capet I Duke Brittany (age 53) and Teobaldo Visconti Archdeacon of Liège (age 41) (who would become Pope a month later).

On 16 Jun 1272 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 32) was attacked by an assasin who stabbed him with a poisoned dagger. He survived but was in a weakened state for some time.

On 22 Sep 1272 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 33) and [his wife] Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England (age 31) left Acre for Sicily where he spent the winter convalescing. Whilst there he learned of the death of his father King Henry III of England (age 64), his uncle Richard of Cornwall 1st Earl Cornwall and his eldest son [his son] John Plantagenet.

Before Apr 1273 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 33) and [his wife] Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England (age 32) were hosted by his old friend the recently appointed Pope Gregory X (age 43) at his Court in Orvieto at which Edward was awarded a tenth of the clergy for three years to pay for his recent Crusade.

Around Apr 1273 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 33) took part in a tournament at Chalon-sur-Saône [Map]. It isn't clear who made the invitation. Chroniclers appear to have confused Chalon-sur-Saône with Châlons-en-Champagne, and the invitee as the unknown Count of Châlons.

After Apr 1273 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 33) and [his wife] Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England (age 32) travelled to Gascony to deal with the revolt of Gaston VII Viscount of Béarn (age 48). They stayed in Gascony for a year.

After Apr 1273 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 33) travelled to Paris [Map] to pay homage to Philip "Bold" III King France (age 27) for his lands in Gascony.

On 02 Aug 1274 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 35) and [his wife] Eleanor of Castile Queen Consort England (age 33) arrived at Dover, Kent [Map] after an absence of four years. They travelled to London via Tonbridge Castle [Map], home of [his future son-in-law] Gilbert "Red Earl" Clare 7th Earl Gloucester 6th Earl Hertford (age 30) and Reigate Castle, Surrey [Map], home of John Warenne 6th Earl Surrey (age 43).

In 1277 Rhuddlan Castle [Map] was commissioned by King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 37). Work was initially started by Master Betram but was completed by James of St George Master Mason. It was completed in 1282.

Letters. 1279. Letter XVII. [his mother] Eleanora Queen-Dowager of England (age 56) to her son Edward I (age 39).

Eleanora, by God's grace queen of England, to our dear son Edward, by the same grace king of England, health and our blessing.

Know, sweet son, that we have understood that a marriage is in agitation between the son of the King of Sicily (age 51) and the daughter of the King of Germany (age 60); and, if this alliance is made, we may well be disturbed in the right that we have to the fourth part of Provence, which thing would be great damage to us, and this damage would be both ours and yours. Where fore we pray and require you, that you will specially write to the aforesaid king, that since Provence is held from the empire, and his dignity demands that he should have right done to us about it, he will regard the right that we have, and cause us to hold it. Of this thing we especially require you, and we commend you to God.

Letters. After 1279. Letter XX. [his mother] Eleanora Queen-Dowager of England (age 56) to her son Edward I (age 39).

To the most noble prince and our dearest son, Edward, by God's grace king of England, lord of Ireland, and duke of Guienne, Eleanora, hoxnble nun of the order of Fontevraud of the convent of Amesbury, health and our blessing.

Sweetest son, our abbess of Fontevraud has prayed us that we would entreat the King of Sicily to guard and preserve the franchises of her house, which some people wish to damage. And, because we know well that he will do much more for your prayer than for ours, for you have better deserved it, we pray you, good son^ that for love of us you will request and especi-^ ally require this thing from him; and that he would command that the things which the abbess holds in his lordship may be in his protection and guard, and that neither she nor hers may be molested or grieved. Good son, if it please you, command that the billet be hastily delivered. We wish you health in the sweet Jesus, to whom we commend you.

Letters. After 1279. Letter XXI. [his mother] Eleanora Queen-Dowager of England (age 56) to her son Edward I (age 39).

To the most noble prince and her very dear son, Edward, by God's grace king of England, lord of Ireland, and duke of Aquitaine, Eleanora, humble nun of the order of Fontevraud [Map], of the convent of Amesbury, wishes health and her blessing.

Sweetest son, we know well how great is the desire that a mother has to see her child when she has been long away from him, and that dame Margaret de Nevile (age 24), companion of Master John Painter Giffard (age 47), has not seen for a long time past her child, who is in the keeping of dame Margaret de Weyland, and has a great desire to see him. We pray you, sweetest son, that you will command and pray the aforesaid Margaret de Weyland, that she will suffer that the mother may have the solace of her child for some time, after her desire. Dearest son, we commend you to God. Given at Amesbury [Map], the 4th day of March.

Letters. 08 Jul 1279. Letter XVIII. Eleanora Princess of Wales (age 27) to her cousin Edward I (age 40).

To her excellent lord and well-beloved cousin, the Lord Edward, by the grace of God king of England, lord of Ireland, and dake of Aquitaine, his devoted cousin Eleonora, princess of Wales, lady of Snowdon, with such sincere affection as becometh, sends health to so great and so near a kinsman.

Be it known to your excellency, that we desire to hear good and prosperous news concerning your state and condition: therefore we entreat your excellency, humbly and earnestly, for our love's sake, that you deign to make known to us, as your humble cousin, and one ready to do your good pleasures, your state; and whether you wish any thing within our power which may redound to your honour^ or may please your majesty.

Although, as we have heard, the contrary hereto hath been reported of us to your excellency by some; and we believe, notwithstanding, that you in no wise give credit to any who report unfavourably concerning our lord and ourself, until you learn from ourselves if such speeches contain truth: because you shewed, of your grace, so much honour and so much friendliness to our lord and ourself, when you were at the last time at Worcester.

Wherefore, whatever you shall demand from us in this, or other matters that you wish, we shall ever be ready, according to our ability, to execute and accomplish.

Given at Llanmaes [Map], the 8th day of July.

In Feb 1282 John Vesci was sent with Bishop Antony Bek (age 37) to negotiate a marriage between Alfonso (age 16), son of King Peter III of Aragon (age 42), and King Edward's (age 42) daughter [his daughter] Eleanor (age 12), which resulted in the signing of the contract as proxy at Huesca.

On 22 Jun 1283 Dafydd ap Gruffudd Aberffraw Prince of Wales (age 44) and Owain ap Dafydd Aberffraw (age 8) were captured at Nanhysglain Bangor [Map]. Dafydd (age 44), seriously wounded in the struggle, was brought to King Edward's (age 44) camp at Rhuddlan [Map] that same night. Dafydd (age 44) was taken from here to Chester [Map] and then on to Shrewsbury, Shropshire [Map]. Dafydd (age 44) and Dafydd's wife Elizabeth de Ferrers (age 43), their daughter Gwladys, infant niece Gwenllian ferch Llywelyn (age 1), and Dafydd's six illegitimate daughters were also taken prisoner at the same time.

In Jun 1285 John Vesci was sent with two others to negotiate the marriage between Edward's (age 45) daughter [his daughter] Elizabeth (age 2) and [his future son-in-law] John (age 1), son of Floris V Count of Holland (age 30).

In 1292 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 52) stayed overnight at Warkworth Castle [Map].

On 20 Dec 1292 King Edward I (age 53) stayed at Horton Castle [Map] for one night when returning from adjudicating the claim to the Scottish throne. The landholder, Sir Guiscard de Charron, had used the occasion of Edwards's visit to ask for the necessary permission to fortify his manor house, that Edward was currently a guest in. The license to crenelate was granted one week later in Newcastle.

On 27 Jun 1301 King Edward I (age 62) visited Horton Castle [Map].

John of Fordun's Chronicle. In revenge for the foregoing outrages, the king of England (age 63), with a very large force, both by sea and by land, entered Scotland, in the year 1303, with the deliberate design of once for all fully bringing it, and the dwellers therein, under his yoke; or, of sweeping out the inhabitants altogether, and reducing the land itself to an utter and irreclaimable wilderness. Having, therefore, scoured the hills and plains, both on this side of the hills and beyond them, he, in person, reached Lochindorb [Map]; and, after making some stay there, he received the submission of the northern districts, and appointed officers of his in all the castles and fortified towns surrendered to him. Returning thence leisurely, he received the submission of all the communities, as well as fortresses and castles they passed through, with none to withstand or attack him; and, after much winding about through the land, he got to Dunfermline [Map], where he lingered a long time, wintering there until Candlemas. The same year, his son and heir, [his son] Edward of Carnarvon (age 18), Prince of Wales, made a long stay in the town of Perth [Map]. Food was in such plenty there, for the whole of the aforesaid time, that a laggen, Scottish measure, of good wine sold for fourpence.

John of Fordun's Chronicle. Just after Easter, in the year 1304, that same king besieged Strivelyn [Map] Castle for three months without a break. For this siege, he commanded all the lead of the refectory of Saint Andrews [Map] to be pulled down, and had it taken away for the use of his engines. At last, the aforesaid castle was surrendered and delivered unto him on certain conditions, drawn up in writing, and sealed with his seal. But when he had got the castle, the king (age 64) belied his troth, and broke through the conditions: for William Oliphant, the warden thereof, he threw bound into prison in London, and kept him a long time in thrall. The same year, when both great and small in the kingdom of Scotland (except William Wallace alone) had made their submission unto him; when the surrendered castles and fortified towns, which had formerly been broken down and knocked to pieces, had been all rebuilt, and he had appointed wardens of his own therein; and after all and sundry of Scottish birth had tendered him homage, the king (age 64), with the [his son] Prince of Wales (age 19), and his whole army, returned to England. He left, however, the chief warden as his lieutenant, to amend and control the lawlessness of all the rest, both Scots and English. He did not show his face in Scotland after this.

Betwee 31 Aug 1304 or 01 Sep 1304 to 06 Sep 1304 King Edward I (age 65) stayed at Horton Castle [Map].

On 26 Feb 1307 Piers Gaveston 1st Earl Cornwall (age 23) exiled by King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 67) for being his son [his son] Edward's (age 22) favourite.

After 07 Jul 1307 King Edward "Longshanks" I of England (age 68) was buried at Westminster Abbey [Map].

In 1339 William "Flower of Chivalry and Knight Liddesdale" Douglas 1st Earl Atholl (age 39) visited King Edward "Longshanks" I of England at Château Gaillard [Map].

Archaeologia Volume 3 Section XLIII. An Account of the Body of King Edward the First, as it appeared on opening his Tomb in the Year 1774. By Sir Joseph Ayloffe (age 66), Bart. V. P. S. A. and F. R. S. Read at the Society of Antiquaries, May 12, 1774.

John of Fordun's Chronicle. After the withdrawal of the king of England, the English nation lorded it in all parts of the kingdom of Scotland, ruthlessly harrying the Scots in sundry and manifold ways, by insults, stripes, and slaughter, under the awful yoke of slavery. But God, in His mercy, as is the wont of His fatherly goodness, had compassion on the woes, the ceaseless crying and sorrow, of the Scots; so He raised up a saviour and champion unto them - one of their own fellows, to wit, named Robert of Bruce. This man, seeing them stretched in the slough of woe, and reft of all hope of salvation and help, was inwardly touched with sorrow of heart; and, putting forth his hand unto force, underwent the countless and unbearable toils of the heat of day, of cold and hunger, by land and sea, gladly welcoming weariness, fasting, dangers, and the snares not only of foes, but also of false friends, for the sake of freeing his brethren.

John of Fordun's Chronicle. As the said John's accusations were repeated, at length, one night, while the wine glittered in the bowl, and that king was hastening to sit down with his secretaries, he talked over Robert's death in earnest, - and shortly determined that he would deprive him of life on the morrow. But when the Earl of Gloucester, who was Robert's true and tried friend in his utmost need, heard of this, he hastily, that same night, sent the aforesaid Robert, by his keeper of the wardrobe, twelve pence and a pair of spurs. So the keeper of the wardrobe, who guessed his lord's wishes, presented these things to Robert, from his lord, and added these words: "My lord sends these to you, in return for what he, on his side, got from you yesterday." Robert understood, from the tokens offered him, that he was threatened by the danger of death; so he discreetly gave the pence to the keeper of the wardrobe, and forthwith sent him back to the Earl with greeting in answer, and with thanks.

Then, when twilight came on, that night, after having ostentatiously ordered his servants to meet him at Carlisle [Map], with his trappings, on the evening of the following day, he straightway hastened towards Scotland, without delay, and never stopped travelling, day or night, until he was safe from the aforesaid king's spite. Tor he was under the guidance of One of whom it is written: - "There is no wisdom, no foresight, no understanding against the Lord, who knoweth how to snatch the good from trial, and mercifully to deliver from danger those that trust in Him.".

John of Fordun's Chronicle. The same year, after the whole Estates of Scotland had made their submission to the king of England, John Comyn, then guardian, and all the magnates but William Wallace, little by little, one after another, made their submission unto him; and all their castles and towns - except Strivelyn Castle [Map], and the warden thereof - were surrendered unto him. That year, the king kept Lent at Saint Andrews [Map], where he called together all the great men of the kingdom, and held his parliament; and he made such decrees as he would, according to the state of the country - which, as he thought, had been gotten and won for him and his successors for ever - as well as about the dwellers therein.

John of Fordun's Chronicle. Now, when Robert was nearing the borders of the marches, there met him a messenger whom, when he sighted him afar off, he suspected, both from the fellow's gait and from his dress, to be a Scot. So, when he got nearer, he asked him whence he came and whither he was making his way. The messenger began to pour forth excuses for his sins; but Robert ordered his vassals to search him. Letters, sealed with Robert's seal about the covenant entered into between him and John Comyn, were found addressed to the king of England through this messenger, and were forthwith pulled out. The messenger's head was thereupon struck off, and God very much be praised for His guidance in this prosperous journey.