I was taught by Michael Prestwich as an undergraduate and postgraduate. He never did a course on Edward I (he once told me he could not face the thought of seeing his own words quoted back at him), but my development as a historian owes much to his influence. Similarly, my views on British – as opposed to English – history owe a great deal to Robin Frame. Over the years, my understanding of late medieval Britain, and Edward I in particular, has benefited enormously from discussion with many historians, not least among them Rémy Ambühl, Andrew Ayton, Gary Baker, Adrian Bell, Richard Britnell, Michael Brown, Anne Curry, Gwil Dodd, Chris Given-Wilson, David Green, Simon Harris, Matt Holford, Craig Lambert, Aly Macdonald, Mark Ormrod, Michael Penman, Tony Pollard, Len Scales, David Simpkin, Andrew Spencer and Sarah Tebbit. More specifically, Louise Wilkinson kindly sent me a copy of her unpublished paper on Edward’s daughters; and Anthony Musson helped with illustrations. I have also learned much from the students who took my ‘Edward I’ course at the Oxford University Department of Continuing Education in 2014. Discussing Edward with them was a great help in shaping this book.
I have to thank John Gillingham who recommended me for the task of tackling Edward I. And, at Penguin, Simon Winder has shown enormous tact and patience, while the process of transforming my deathless prose into a proper book has been expedited with efficiency and grace by Anna Hervé, Kate Parker and Cecilia Mackay.
Thanks also to my daughter Freya, who has promised she may even read this; and my son Lewis, who hasn’t … And, as ever, thanks to my parents, Beth King and Ted Hutchinson, without whose unstinting support I would never have been in a position to start this book.
Most of all, though, I have to thank my other half, Dr Claire Etty, who subjected the entire text to a criticism that was minute, thoroughgoing and ruthless – but always fair, constructive and encouraging; and I could not have finished the thing without her help. It is to her that the book is dedicated, with much love.