Well, I've been in Wales for a few days. I've been touring around seeing some massive and impressive castles in Conwy, Beaumaris, Harlech and Caernafron. They were all built by Edward I, the shithead from Braveheart who was determined to not only dominate the Scots, but the Welsh and French as well.

As it happened, when King David of England died, the Prince of Wales at the the time (Llewelyn) refused to pay homage to David's successor, Edward I. Edward declared war, and beat the PISS out of the Welsh. He then built this Iron Ring of castles around Wales to show his supremacy.

Edward I is quite the character in history. Here is a guy who ordered his fruitcake son, Edward II, to boil his bones on his death (from syphillis) and take them onto the battlefield with him. Edward II decided to not do it, and had him buried in Westminster (I think) with honors instead. He also played a joke on the Welsh. He promised them that they would once again have a Welsh born "Prince of Wales", speaking not a word of English. So, when Edward II was born in Caernafron, Edward I carried him on a Welsh shield to the window and proclaimed him "Prince of Wales". A son of an English king, born on Welsh land, speaking not a word of English is right! That is why heir apparent to the thrown of the UK (such as Prince Charles) have been created Prince of Wales ever since, in Caernafron no less. The Welsh still don't appreciate it.

Contrary to this ruthless and brutal image, in every account of Edward I, comes the story of how much he loved his wife, Queen Eleanor of Castile. They were married when he was 14 (and she was 10) and when she died at 46, he was so heartbroken he had crosses built at the 12 stopping points of her funeral, hence all the King's Cross streets in England.

I am so intrigued by this wacky and bipolar guy I am going to see if I can get a book about him here in the UK. I'll post anything of interest!!