Ray, Michael Edward I's Regent. Edmund of Cornwall, the Man Behind England's Greatest King

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 Edmunds 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 13 castles 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.

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 13th century. This book looks at Edmund's life, who used his wealth to lend money to the king and others and was a great benefactor of religious houses. His piety led him to found two new religious houses, rebuild another and bring the Holy Blood relic from Germany to Hailes Abbey. His achievements as regent of England for three years are widely publicised. The wide spread of his lands, which included 13 castles and more than 800 places in 27 counties, and his tenants are outlined, as is his position in the local community. The basis of his wealth and its sources, including the income from his estates, but also from tin mining and Cornish sea tolls, are examined, and his knightly kinship and close associates and officials are considered. On a personal level, the book examines his unsuccessful, childless marriage to the Earl of Gloucester's sister. Edmund was a key figure during the reign of Edward I and in the late 13th century. In this revealing account, the man behind England's 'greatest king' is finally brought to the fore.