Edward I (Yale English Monarchs)

Rating:
Summary: Informative, but DRY
Review: A bit dull, but likely the best researched volume available on E1. I would recommend this title more for scholarly use than for the "armchair historian", as I think it would fail to hold the attention of any but the most devoted reader. Contemporary documentation dealing with the private Edward must be quite limited, so reliance upon administrative documentation is inevitable, but it makes the work less than personable. Prestwich's, "The Three Edwards", though grander in scope actually seems to hone in better on the personalities of the subject (and his son and grandson, to boot!) That being said, I doubt one could find a more detailed and comprehensive study.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent biography on one of England's best rulers
Review: Along with J.R. Maddicott's biography on Simon de Montfort, I would put this biography as one of the best biographies written for historical figures of this time period. Good thing is, they both compliment each other well.

Michael Prestwich's work proves to be superbly researched, highly informative and above all for me, very readable. It does help to have some previous reading on the subject since Edward I had a long career from his teen age years and it kept going until he died. The thick book covers all aspects of Edward's long and colorful life in richness of details and facts.

In this book, you will not see Edward Longshank of that movie, Braveheart, which probably did its outmost to ruined the reputation of this great ruler. In this book, the reader will understand why many regards Edward I as one of England's greatest rulers, easily in the top five, maybe the top three!!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this subject and had read on this material before. Good background reading would be helpful in getting the most out of this book. Written by a great scholar for other scholars or "scholar want to be".

Rating:
Summary: scholarly exposition of the memorable reign
Review: Edward I (Yale English Monarchs) by Michael Prestwich is an extremely well researched, cross-referenced and influential book on the subject of early Plantagenet history. Drawn on the original records of the age (late 13th, early 14th century) is portrays different achievements of the productive reign - Edward a Lawgiver, Edward a Warrior in Scotland and France, Edward a Family Men, Edward a Diplomat, and ... of course Edward loosing his temper. Especially well presented are the accounts of the Household and Exchequer, and a review of Parliamentary activities of Edward. Books somewhat dry tone is justified by extensive reference collection. A great first scholarly introduction to one of the most important reigns in British history.

Rating:
Summary: Well rounded research
Review: Prestwich has certainly written the best I've read on Edward I to date. However, there were sections where he goes a little deeper into legal tangents than would normally interest me. The Yale series is very promising and well worth reading. Saul's Richard II in this series was the best, but Edward I will give a good, unbiased view of this king who is difficult not to be biased about.

Rating:
Summary: excellent look into Longshanks' life
Review: This books is so rich in historical fact and details, drawn from medieval records of that period. For someone wanting more than the superficial, this book supplies it, showing Edward in a scholarly fashion rather than the usual pro or con look. It's very details in what it cost to run Longshanks' kingship, right down the wars against Wales and Scotland.

Very balanced in presentation and offers us a deep insight into the man who remade England, conquered the Welsh and Irish, fought France and faced the rise of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: excellent look into Longshanks' life
Review: This books is so rich in historical fact and details, drawn from medieval records of that period. For someone wanting more than the superficial, this book supplies it, showing Edward in a scholarly fashion rather than the usual pro or con look. It's very details in what it cost to run Longshanks' kingship, right down the wars against Wales and Scotland.

Very balanced in presentation and offers us a deep insight into the man who remade England, conquered the Welsh and Irish, fought France and faced the rise of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Competent, albeit unmemorable.
Review: Undoubtedly well researched and competently presented, I was left with the wish that the author had leavened his work with an occasional touch of humor. Only my deep interest in English history kept me going to the end, especially through long descriptions of the activities of the king's household that could have cured insomnia. Considering the inglorious end to the reign of his son, Edward II, an epilog chapter to Edward I's biography would have been welcome, or at least more attention paid to the relationship between the latter and his heir.