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The Hammer of the Scots: Edward I and the Scottish Wars of Independence Kindle Edition

by David Santiuste (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 137 ratings
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Known to posterity as Scottorum Malleus - the Hammer of the Scots - Edward I was one of medieval England's most formidable rulers. In this meticulously researched new history, David Santiuste offers a fresh interpretation of Edward's military career, with a particular focus on his Scottish wars. This is in part a study of personality: Edward was a remarkable man. His struggles with tenacious opponents - including Robert the Bruce and William Wallace - have become the stuff of legend. 
There is a clear and perceptive account of important military events, notably the Battle of Falkirk, but the narrative also encompasses the wider impact of Edward's campaigns. He attempted to mobilize resources - including men, money and supplies - on an unprecedented scale. His wars affected people at all levels of society, throughout the British Isles. David Santiuste builds up a vivid and convincing description of Edward's campaigns in Scotland, whilst also exploring the political background. Edward emerges as a man of great conviction, who sought to bend Scotland to his will, yet also, on occasion, as a surprisingly beleaguered figure. He is presented here as the central character in a turbulent world, as commander and king.
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  1. Print length
    315 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Pen & Sword Military
  5. Publication date
    April 30, 2015
  6. File size
    8432 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"With an insight into not just the military capabilities of the opposing sides, but also the technology, tactics and logistics of fighting a war in an opponent's land, it reveals a great deal more than the general view of Edward I. A great addition for anyone interested in the lives of the early Plantagenet kings" (Skirmish: The Living History Magazine)
"... looks into exactly what made Edward tick, with a fascinating exploration of the king's personality" (Scottish Field)

About the Author

David Santiuste teaches history at the Centre for Open Learning, University of Edinburgh. He is the author of Edward IV and the Wars of the Roses.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00WQ4QY26
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pen & Sword Military (April 30, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 30, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 8432 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 315 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 137 ratings

About the author

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David Santiuste

David Santiuste

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David Santiuste is a historian of late medieval Britain. He is a lecturer in history and humanities at the Centre for Open Learning, University of Edinburgh.

David is the author of 'Edward IV and the Wars of the Roses' and 'The Hammer of the Scots: Edward I and the Scottish Wars of Independence'. His other publications include contributions to 'Medieval Sexuality: A Casebook' and 'Medieval Warfare'.

For more information visit David's website at davidsantiuste.com. You can follow him on Facebook at David Santiuste - Historian or on Twitter @dbsantiuste.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
137 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Michael Eastes
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read.
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2023
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Lots of detail in a fairly short volume. Edward I was a nasty customer, but he was pretty good at it.
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D.R.Crivello
5.0 out of 5 stars Easily understood
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2023
Many histories inundate the reader with so many names and titles as to make the overall story incomprehensible. Complicated men like Edward surrounded themselves with countless aides and allies, to say nothing of his enemies. This book does a fine job of culling the most important for inclusion in the narrative.

It would have been easy to heap too much attention onto the well known pop culture names of William Wallace and Robert Bruce instead of sticking to the times as experienced and understood by the king himself. That trap was also nicely avoided. I went into this read with the desire to know more of Edward I and am satisfied with that accomplished.
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Bradly Davis
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2017
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The read was good.
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Diane Magras
5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging and exciting history, beautifully told
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2018
This is an amazing history that puts the Scottish Wars of Independence into context, starting with the point that battles are only a blip on the historical landscape and surrounding events, people, and pressures mean everything. This book gave me a new understanding of the battles in Scotland during Edward I's life, as well as what he faced in France and how that had a major impact on Scotland. David Santiuste's research was immaculate and clearly presented, and he has a very engaging writing style. I love reading a history as good as this when I'm researching a period.
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

S. Lornie
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Easy Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2020
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I recently got the recommendation for the Outlaw King on Netflix. A movie about the exploits of Robert the Bruce during the Scottish War of Independence. I thought the movie was really good but because of doubt caused by Mel Gibson, I decided to read up on the time period. After a few hours of scouring online, I decided that buying a book would be better and is there a better place to start than with Edward Longshanks himself?

As it turned out, this was a very good spot to start. The Hammer of the Scots pretty much covers everything you really need to know about the great English king and the Scottish War of Independence. It covers the issues with the Scottish crown, William Wallace, the beginning of Robert the Bruce's rise and of course, the history behind Edward 1st and his reasoning behind waging war on his enemies. The book covers a lot of good detail. All of which are taken from a variety of sources. It even goes so far as to detail the financial situations between each major campaign. Their issue finding funds, food, other supplies and getting it to the front line. A topic I never really thought about until reading this book.

The Hammer of the Scots is a pretty easy read. I managed to get through it in two sittings. I don't do this often as I am a pretty slow reader but this book was well written, clear with its point and had good pacing. It made for a good read and I'm glad I picked it up. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that it literally stops where *SPOILER* Edward 1st dies on his way to stamp out the Scots one last time. Unfortunately, this leaves a very short summary of the Bruce's retaliation which brought an end to the first Scottish War of Independence. With a majority of the book being about the war, you'd think they would have fleshed that out a bit for the sake of the narrative. Unfortunately that was not the case and anyone wanting to know more about that, you'll have to go buy a different book.

I spent a tenner on The Hammer of the Scots and it was very well spent. I learned a lot about my countries history and showed just how interesting a character Edward and the rebellious Scots were. Neither one was perfect but they all thought what they were doing was right. It leads to one of the most interesting points in Scotland's history and well worth a read for those interested.
One person found this helpful
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DW
4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth a read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2021
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Well written easy to follow and link the history together
One person found this helpful
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Bellringer
3.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 28, 2018
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Wanted to read the real story of Braveheart. Certainly got it here and must say it's an inspiring one in its own right.
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DJK 62
5.0 out of 5 stars A worthy addition to the books about Edward 1.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2015
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I thoroughly enjoyed David Santiuste work on Edward 1. I could hardly put the book down and it was read in a matter of days. The reason I feel is the author's style of writing , clear and concise, making the information easy to absorb and remember.
The author at the end of the epilogue came to the conclusion that Edward's famous epitaph, the Hammer of the Scots, was not really a tribute to the King, but rather a tribute to his Scottish enemies. I must say with the greatest of respect that I came to a different conclusion. The words painted on Edward's tomb , probably in the sixteenth century was written at a time when England and Scotland were still fierce enemies. I could not imagine the English wanting to pay tribute to the Scots on the tomb of one of their greatest King's. The epitaph was clearly a tribute ta Edward1 and Edward 1 alone.
I must say to me that it seemed somewhat bizarre to conclude in his book with a tribute to Bruce, Comyn, Wallace and Murray in a work about Edward 1. Bruce's success's still lay in the future and the other Scot's mentioned had all failed in their stance against Edward 1.
That said, this book will be read again and again and is a worthy addition to my books about Edward1 by Marc Morris and Michael Prestwich.
10 people found this helpful
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anthony mccoy
4.0 out of 5 stars Hammer of the Scots
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2017
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Well written book,informative of a period in time which was shaping Britain.i enjoyed the feeling and atmosphere that the book portrayed.
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