THE HISTORY O F EDWARD PRINCE OF WALES. No O name appears to hold a more réspectable place in the list of English Monarchs than that of Edward the First, who poffeffèd every quality to render him a politic and warlike King. Whilft Prince of Wales, he gave great proofs of that courage and penetration, which made him dreaded by his enemies and refpected by his fubjects, when called to the throne. He supported his father Henry the Third against his powerful Barons; who, being too justly incensed by the King's profufion to his favourites, attachment to strangers, and variable conduct, were continually in A arms arms against him: by his prudent interpofition the young Prince averted their animofity, and rendered the conclufion of that Monarch's reign tolerably tranquil. He fignalized himself by uncommon acts of valour during his refidence in the Holy Land; to which he was led by that enthusiastic propenfity for Croifades, fo prevalent in those early ages. In his abfence his father, unable any longer to weild the fceptre, or to curb the licentiousness of his Nobles, which began again to fhew itself, called aloud for his gallant fon's return; but, before hist arrival, he funk under the cares of government and the infirmities of age, after a reign of fifty-fix years, the longest to be met with in the English annals. Young Edward finding that his prefence was not immediately required in England, continued a confiderable time in France, As he paffed near Chalons in Burgundy, he was challenged by the Prince of that country to a tournament, for which preparations were were then making. Edward, who delighted in thefe martial exercises, accepted the invitation; and rejoiced at an opportunity of acquiring honour and renown among fo many gallant perfonages. But he and his retinue fo far excelled the French Knights, that it excited their jealousy, and created so much animofity as to produce a quarrel. The mock engagement was inftantly turned into a real one; and though the English bravely withstood the fuperior numbers of their enemies and remained unbroken, yet it could not be terminated till much blood was fpilt in the filly contest. On his return to England, Edward applied himself to the re-establishment of his kingdom; correcting thofe diforders and civil commotions which the unftable adminiftration of his father had fuffered to take root in every part of government. At the fame time he laid down a plan of policy equally generous and prudent. Whilst he made it the rule of his own conduct to obferve A 2 serve (except on fome extraordinary occafions) the privileges fecured to his people by Magna Charta, he endeavoured to diminish the arbitrary and enormous power of the great Barons, thofe oppreffors of the inferior ranks, by an exact diftribution of juftice, and a rigid execution of the laws. From this laudable exertion of his authority the face of the kingdom foon became changed; order took place of confufion; and thofe various kinds of malefactors who over-run the whole nation, and lived by rapine and plunder, committing the most horrid murders and depredations, were fuppreffed as far as the ferocity and licentioufnefs of the times would allow. It is true indeed, that urged by his neceffities he made some violent attempts on the liberties of the people; but being oppofed, he was not inattentive to the dictates of prudence, and by making timely fubmiffions fecured his ho nour. By his great abilities he annexed the principality of Wales to his crown; and, having overcome the Scots in many battles, was was on the point of reducing that kingdom to the fame fituation, when death put a ftop to his conquefts. But what redounded more to his honour than his many victories, was the inceffant application he bestowed on the amendment of the laws; which had languished in former reigns, but which Edward maintained in great vigour, and left much improved to pofterity. These excellent regulations, of more importance to a kingdom than the acquifition of territory, gained him the appellation of the English Juftinian; and will enfure to his name respect and honour when the laurels of the conqueror are faded. His fon, Edward the Second, found the people prepoffeffed in his favour, by their veneration of his great father: but his mild and gentle difpofition was not suited to the turbulence of that age. Steadiness and refolution, tempered by moderation, are neceffary endowments (and at that time they were peculiarly fo) for the perfon destined to guide A 3 |