Edward I’s reputation as a controversial ruler was well-known among historians. Many considered him to have been the most tolerant English monarch of the Middle Ages. However, many others thought that he had a cold heart. Edward I’s most notable accomplishments were the creation of the’model Parliament’ and the advancements made to the English Legal system. These foundations still exist in the current parliament and legal system. This essay will argue Edward I created an English Empire due to the advancements made in the English government, legal system and parliament.
Edward I was a key figure in England during the period 1278-86. He brought about major changes, including establishing a’model Parliament’ and restoring control and authority to England’s crown. Edwards’ success was due to his council. They gave him guidance and helped him run the country well. Edward I and his council would, for example, make decisions together when there was a dilemma that Edward I didn’t feel confident to resolve. Edward I was able to achieve his goals because of the councilors. Edward I had frequent meetings with the councilors, which led to a larger gathering of nobles. Edward I is said to have created the English Empire by bringing the English parliament together on 13th November 1295 in order to tax the civilians as a way of raising money for war. Stubbs describes the parliament as a “Remarkable Assembly” because it included aristocracy and clergy, but also civilians. The parliament began to meet more often as it was primarily about taxing civilians. Richardson and Sayles say that this parliament had a more important role than just taxation, as its central purpose was to administer justice to the king. Templeman highlights how Edward I achieved a’model government’ which is still used in England today. The Hundred Scrolls are worth commenting upon as they were the foundation of reforms relating to crown, lands, feudal powers and liberties in the mid-1270s. In 1279 the largest survey of the Middle Ages was sent to England. Kosminsky states that the survey’s purpose was to get a complete picture of rent distribution and feudal relations. The survey was significant because it outlined the feudal system and provided the basis for taxation during Edward’s reign. It is important to understand Edward I’s reign because the Hundred Scrolls shows how he developed the English government, introducing new procedures not seen before in the Middle Ages. But it is possible to argue that Edward’s creation in 1295 of a model parliament did not automatically translate into the establishment of an English Empire. Edward I made this’model legislature’ in 201295 solely to his own advantage, which was in this particular case taxing civilians in order for him to fund his war. Prestwich highlights the difficulties of learning both the council and the parliament during Edward I’s reign. It is because neither of these terms were established, nor was the term ‘parliament.’ The word was used loosely. There is little evidence that the meetings/gatherings held were a parliament, and it was not established as a formal institution. Between 1282-1303 there was a gradual decrease in the number of meetings. Edward I had initially only called for the assembly for taxation, and he came for the money. It was also not held regularly, and most of the time in other parts England. This meant that parliament did not have much administrative autonomy. This contradicts the claim made by Edward I that he created an English Empire. It shows how the Parliament had little to no consistency, and there is not much solid evidence proving that Edward I was the one who founded the Parliament. It’s also problematic as Edward I has been credited with creating the’model’ parliament. But historians can’t find solid evidence to support this. Edward I’s creation of an English Empire is a question that arises. Edward I modified the original oath sworn by council members in 1294. He changed the pledge to make it clear that the council had to do everything they could to increase the power of Crown. It is important to note that Edward I wanted to gain power for himself. These two counterarguments are against the claim Edward I created the English Empire. Edward I changed the oath he took to increase his power and ‘created’ parliament out of greed. This also proves that power was his priority, not the creation of an English Empire.
Edward I’s reign marked a significant period in English legal development. Edward’s legislation was a key reason for the significance of his reign. Carpenter remarks that these legislative changes were made to increase the efficiency and speed of justice. By introducing advanced procedures, they aimed to make the process of law more efficient. Edward I and his advisers achieved something no other person in the Middle Ages could. As Bishop Stubbs notes, “his legislation is of immense importance to legal history and no Englishman would dispute his dignity”. As a result, his legal system advancement was crucial to the establishment of an English Empire. It laid the foundations for modern court systems and created openings in today’s law. Edward I developed a legal system for England that was extremely complex. It included many types of courts starting with manorial and ending up at the parliament. Anglo-Saxons adopted the Anglo-Saxon feudal and local courts. Edward I introduced a more informal method of starting court proceedings called querela. It is crucial because it allows a defendant with a judgement against them to appeal the decision if new evidence or defenses are presented. This prevented an immediate execution of a defendant. This was important for the English Empire, as it showed that the courts were using more professional and advanced methods. Edward I also created new statutes that were of long-term significance to English law. These included The Statute of Mortmain as well as The First Statute of Westminster. The Statute of Gloucester empowered the officers of the King to examine the Quo Warranto, a legal action that was used to resolve a dispute on whether someone had the legal right to own civic businesses. Just Barons needed to show proof that they owned franchises. The Statute of Mortmain or ‘the dead-hand’, was to protect kingdom revenue by stopping land from being taken over by the church. The first Statutes were Edwardian Statutes that gathered representatives of England’s commons. They codified existing law. This shows Edward I’s desire to create an English Empire. It also shows his professionalism and the major improvements made to English law. The English legal system was more developed under Edward I than it was during other Middle Ages rulers. The statutes have a great deal of importance because they are still in use today by the British legal system.
Edward I has indeed established an English Empire. He created a “model Parliament” and enacted legislative reforms which are the foundations of today’s system. Edward I’s main motivation was his greed for money and power. The’model legislature’ was designed to tax civilians to pay for war. Edward I’s creation of a British Empire is also not supported by any solid evidence. Templeman says that Edward I was able do things no king of his time was capable of doing.
