Edward I's Regent

Edmund of Cornwall, The Man Behind England's Greatest King

Michael Ray

• Publisher: Pen & Sword History
• Year: 2022
• eBook ISBN: 9781399093552
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Historical Biographies
• Index: History

Born at Christmas 1249 to Richard, Edmund of Cornwall was nephew to Henry III and cousin to Edward I. His eventful childhood took him to Germany when his father was elected king there. He was captured at the battle of Lewes and imprisoned for more than a year. Returning from crusade, he witnessed the brutal murder of his half-brother, which left him as heir to his father, the richest man in the kingdom. Throughout his life, Edmund played a crucial role in medieval England. As Regent of England, Earl of Cornwall and the richest man in the land, he was a leading force of the late-thirteenth century. This book considers Edmund's life, his use of his wealth to lend to the king and others and to be a major benefactor of religious houses. His piety saw him found two new religious houses, rebuild another and bring the Holy Blood relic from Germany to Hailes abbey. His record as Regent of England for three years is assessed. The wide spread of his lands, which included 13castles and more than 800 places in 27 counties, and his tenants are set out as is his place in the local community. The basis of his wealth and its sources, including money from his lands but also from tin mining and marine dues in Cornwall, is explored and his knightly affinity and his close associates and officials are considered. On a personal level, the book examines his unsuccessful, childless marriage with the sister of the Earl of Gloucester. Edmund was a key figure throughout Edward I's rein and the late-thirteenth century. In this insightful account, the man behind England's 'greatest king' is at long last brought to the fore.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Preface
• Tables
• Acknowledgements
• List of Abbreviations
• Conventions
• Illustrations
• Chapter 1 Edmund: The Early Years
• Chapter 2 Edmund: The King’s Man
• Chapter 3 Edmund: The Regent
• Chapter 4 Post-Regency Years
• Chapter 5 Edmund at Court: Presence and Rewards
• Chapter 6 Edmund and His Family
• Chapter 7 Edmund’s Marriage
• Chapter 8 Edmund’s Friends and Associates
• Chapter 9 Edmund’s Men: His Knightly Affinity
• Chapter 10 Edmund’s Men: His Clerks and Officials
• Chapter 11 Edmund, the Man of Piety
• Chapter 12 Edmund, Man of Wealth: The Source of His Wealth
• Chapter 13 Edmund, Man of Wealth: Income from His Lands and Special Sources
• Chapter 14 Edmund’s Expenditure, his Loans, and Overall Accounts
• Chapter 15 Edmund, the Landlord and His Tenants
• Chapter 16 Edmund in the Local Community
• Chapter 17 Edmund at Law
• Chapter 18 Edmund, the Man and His Legacy
• Conclusion
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Plates Section