Death of King Edward I

1. Death of King Edward I Edward I was furious his commanders had not captured Bruce….. He was determined to do the job himself • Edward summoned his troops to meet at Carlisle on 8 July • He was determined to lead the troops • In 4 days he only managed to cover 6 miles • He died at Burgh on Sands 11 July Burgh on Sands Carlisle

2. Monument in Burgh on Sands marks where Edward died

3. Significance of Edward I death The next heir to the throne was Edward’s son Edward II Edward II Weak leader No military experience Not very interested in Scottish affairs Edward I Strong leader Huge military experience Determined to maintain control over Scotland

4. Edward’s last request… When he realised he was dying, Edward called his eldest son to see him…. Edward made his son promise as soon as he was dead, his body should be boiled until all the flesh was clean from the bone. He was to bury the flesh but keep the bones. If the Scots rebelled against the English, he should gather an army and take these bones with him. He gave these instructions because he believed that the Scots would never win a victory over the King of England, if he had the bones with him. This was done. John Froissart’s Chronicle

5. Edward II’s response • Abandoned his fathers corpse at Waltham Abbey to be buried later • Marched to Cumnock • Stayed till 25 Aug • Returned to England never having fought • Did not return to Scotland for several years

6. Scots views on Edward I’s death When Edward was invading Scotland, with the intention of finally destroying it, God punished him with an illness. He was brought to Burgh-on Sands lying on a carriage. He died there, miserably. Men say openly that, when Edward is dead, victory will go to Bruce. False preachers have told the people that they have found a prophecy of Merlin. It says that, after the death of the ‘greedy king’, the people of Scotland and Wales will join together and win their independence. They will then live in peace until the end of the world.