Edward I ‘Longshanks' was one of the most influential of the medieval kings. During his reign, he went on crusade to the Holy Land, suppressed the baron-led uprisings culminating in the defeat of Simon de Montford at the Battle of Evesham, and led military campaigns against the Welsh, the French, and the Scots.
Following his conquest of Wales, Edward I was determined to demonstrate his military strength and political authority and instigated a huge, no-expense-spared castle-building programme, led by Master James of St George; these are his legacy - some of the finest examples of late-thirteenth and early-fourteenth century military architecture in Europe.
Although Edward I never built stone castles in Scotland as he had done in Wales, he captured and garrisoned many of them to enforce his authority and gain control of Scotland.
In the Footsteps of Longshanks meticulously details Edward's travels, the people who stood with him, those that fought against him, and gives a thorough account of the castles that were vital during his reign.