Edward I of England

In 1254, the 14-year old Edward married 13-year old Eleanor, the half-sister of King Alfonso X of Castile to settle disputes about land in Gascony, a politically expedient marriage arranged by King Henry III.

They had several children, of whom five daughters survived into adulthood and only one boy outlived Edward, the future King Edward II. In November 1290, Eleanor died at the age of 49.

In 1299, at the age of 60, Edward I married Margaret of France, the 17-year-old daughter of King Phillip III of France. The couple had two sons—both of whom lived into adulthood—and a daughter, who died as a child.

Edward I was born on June 17, 1239, at the Palace of Westminster, London, England, to King Henry III and his wife, Eleanor of Provence.

Edward I was raised under the care of Hugh Giffard until Bartholomew Pecche took over after Giffard's death in 1246.

He received a disciplined education with reading and writing in Latin as well as French. He also obtained training in the arts, sciences and music.

In 1254, after getting married at the age of 13, he was awarded lands in Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands by his father as King Henry III wanted Edward to experience power.

In 1258, when a group of barons called for the restructuring of the King’s government, Edward supported his political allies and later announced his support for the barons' goals, and their leader, Simon de Montfort.

In 1262, upon returning to England, Edward had some differences with his former Lusignan allies over financial matters. The following year, when Simon de Montfort reignited the baronial reform movement and the King seemed ready to resign to the demands of the barons, Edward took control of the situation.

Subsequently, he reunited with some of the men he had been estranged before and reconquered Windsor Castle from the rebels. In 1265, he displayed substantial military competence in defeating Simon de Montfort at the Battle of Evesham and treating the insurgents with great barbarity.

When King Henry died in 1272, Edward succeeded him to the throne with his impressive track record in military service and his proven fortitude to give peace to the country.

In 1275, he imprisoned Eleanor de Montfort, Simon's daughter, who was to marry Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, prince of Gwynedd.

In 1282, Llywelyn's younger brother, Dafydd, unexpectedly started a rebellion but it proved to be a disaster as both the brothers were killed shortly afterwards in the battle.