A Great and Terrible King, Marc Morris
A Great and Terrible King, Marc Morris
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A Great and Terrible King
Edward I and the Forging of Britain

Author: Marc Morris

Narrator: Ralph Lister

Unabridged: 18 hr 30 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 03/24/2015

Synopsis

Edward I is familiar to millions as "Longshanks," conqueror of Scotland and nemesis of Sir William Wallace (in Braveheart). Yet this story forms only the final chapter of the king's action-packed life. Earlier, Edward had defeated and killed the famous Simon de Montfort, traveled to the Holy Land, and conquered Wales. He raised the greatest armies of the Middle Ages and summoned the largest parliaments. Notoriously, he expelled all the Jews from his kingdom.

In this book, Marc Morris examines afresh the forces that drove Edward throughout his relentless career: his character, his Christian faith, and his sense of England's destiny—a sense shaped in particular by the tales of the legendary King Arthur. He also explores the competing reasons that led Edward's opponents (including Robert Bruce) to resist him.

About Marc Morris

Marc Morris is a historian and broadcaster specializing in the Middle Ages. He is the author of several books, including The Norman Conquest, Kings and Castles, and Castle: A History of the Buildings That Shaped Medieval Britain. In 2003, he presented the highly acclaimed TV series Castle. He has also contributed to other history programs on radio and television. An expert on medieval monarchy and aristocracy, and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society, he has written numerous articles for History Today, BBC History Magazine, and Heritage Today.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Anthony on January 18, 2025

A Formidable Monarch. This book is Marc Morris’ Sistine Chapel, an absolute heavy hitter in historical biography. It is extremely well written and reads like a novel at times. The text is thoughtful and supported by strong argument and a deep knowledge of the 13th Century. As such, for me this is ult......more

Goodreads review by Craig on January 08, 2022

A very fine book—excellent in many ways, a bit disappointing in others. Morris points out in the preface that most biographies of Edward I are organized thematically, with a chapter devoted to the whole of his life from different perspectives, whereas the present volume is chronological. This approa......more

Goodreads review by Wayne on August 01, 2019

If your only knowledge of King Edward I is what you gleaned from Mel Gibsons "Braveheart", then let me say from the beginning, forget everything that you assume to be fact from that movie and realize that it is complete crap. I would like to think that the movie was entertaining except that I know i......more

Goodreads review by Juliew. on November 27, 2015

Not really a very exciting read nevertheless I thought it seemed well researched an a good introduction to the subject.This focused on Edward I's campaigns in the Middle East,Wales and Scotland.Also,much attention is given to smaller matters inside England at the time of his reign.I thought it lacke......more

Goodreads review by Caroline on March 23, 2011

I did enjoy this book, but I did find it verging on hagiography. I'll admit, Edward I is not my favourite king, far from it. And I'll admit that you can't judge a medieval monarch by today's standards, but even so I found Morris' constant excusing of Edward's actions tiring. If the true standard by......more

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