ABSTRACT
The century during which England was ruled by the first three Edwards was one of striking contrasts. A confident and masterful Edward I conquered Wales and built Caernarfon in consciously imperial style; his son Edward II was defeated by the Scots in battle, and suffered the abject humiliation of deposition. Edward III won great triumphs against the French, but his reign also saw the population, which had reached its medieval peak, cut down by the ravages of plague.
