Angry Men In Kilts
Bringing Mel Gibson's Braveheart
Into Your Campaign

Character: King Edward I (Longshanks)

By Rob Vaux
Photographs courtesy of Paramount Pictures, Inc.

King of England and generally crabby guy

Skills: Politicking, Military Strategy, Leadership

Motivation: To rule a powerful England

Weakness: Merciless

Edward the Longshanks has been described by his contemporaries as the most ruthless man ever to sit on the English throne. As most English Kings, he has designs on France, and arranged for the marriage of Princess Isabelle to his son in order to establish a legitimate claim upon the French throne. Next to these machinations, the rebellion in Scotland was originally little more than a thorn in his side. As time went on, however, Wallace and his compatriots became too large a problem to ignore: while away at France, his army suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Stirling and Wallace went on to capture the city of York. What began as a minor irritant had quickly become a legitimate irritant had quickly become a legitimate threat to his rule.

Longshanks is a cruel, scheming man who is not above sacrificing those beneath him to achieve his ends. He must maintain the image of a powerful, unified Britain to further his plans abroad. Wallace's rebellion is what has thus far presented the greatest threat to that image.

He typically entices the Scottish noblemen to his side with titles and land, but Wallace is a commoner who has refused any such bribes, which has forced him to reconsider his options. He reestablished the rule of Prima Nocte (First Night) in Scotland in an attempt to "breed" the independence out of them. Under Prima Nocte, the local lord has the right to bed a newly wedded bride on the night of her marriage, which would presumably lead to a bastard child. In addition to this, the Longshanks utilized more traditional means of "pacification" to secure Scotland, such as rape, pillage and murder.

He is horrifically disappointed in his effete son and bullies him whenever he can. when one of the prince's lovers deigned to speak to him as an equal, he threw the poor man out the nearest window. The prince hates his father with a passion but lacks the courage to stand up to Longshanks or his schemes.

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