Edward I of England died at Burgh-by-Sands, a remote and cheerless spot west of Carlisle, on his way to the Scottish border. His end, after fifty years of relentless war and politics, reads like the final act in some Greek tragedy. The king hadn't backed a horse for over a year, and was dragged up to Carlisle in a litter. There his spirits were lifted by the sight of 400 bachelor knights riding past with bundles of spring leaves dripping from their lances. Much 'pleased and merry' by the sight, Edward gave up his litter to God and insisted on leading his army into Scotland on horseback, as he had done so often in the past. Wracked with dysentery or possibly bowel cancer, he covered six excruciating miles in three days. On the 6 he rested. On the morning of the 7, when his servants tried to lift him to take food, Edward gave a loud cry and fell back dead in their arms.
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