King Edward I - Statue. Burgh by Sands

Every year thousands of people pass through the small village of Burgh by Sands on their walk along the Hadrian’s Wall National Trail but few people realise the significance of the place.

For it is here that an English king, Edward I, died and is now remembered with a monument and statue.

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The Monument can just be seen in the distant fields

Erected in 1685 as a memorial to King Edward 1st of England (Hammer of the Scots).

He planned to unify the kingdoms of England and Scotland by the betrothal of his son Edward to the infant Queen of Scots, the Maid of Norway.

His plans fell apart when the young queen Margaret was drowned returning from Norway leaving several claimants to the kingdom of Scotland.

When pressed to select a successor, Edward chose John II De Baliol. This displeased the Scots and thus the wars of Independence ensued, ultimately won by Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn in 1314.

Edward had fought a long and bitter campaign to conquer Scotland

Plaque sited at the base of the monument

and made camp on these barren, windswept marshes on his way to do battle once more and subdue his enemy, Robert the Bruce but he was now old, tired and his health poor. He died on this marsh on 7th July 1307.

The monument stands in the middle of grazing land about 1 KM from the road. Now surrounded by a metal fence, it is incredibly imposing yet lonely in such a vast space.

Two plaques adorn the monument, one toward the top is much older and written in Latin, presumably the original plaque installed when the monument was built. The second plaque is situated at the base of the monument and is a modern day equivalent.

From the car parking area, the monument can just be seen in the distance. Here an information panel gives a potted history and directions. A pleasant walk along a dirt footpath, leads to a double stile crossing a small bridge. The marsh ground can be a little boggy in wet weather, so good walking footwear is recommended.

Signposts point the way across the salt marsh

Dogs must be kept on a lead as grazing animals are in the fields surrounding the monument

The OS Grid Ref for this monument is NY326

Watch a video about the monument