He built the outer defences of the Tower of London.

These include the rooms known as the Medieval Palace, which we have restored to their possible appearance in his reign.

He moved the London Mint into the Tower and kept prisoners there too.

Also famous for...

Conquering the Welsh

Before taking on the Scots, he fought the Welsh, sending the head belonging to their Prince Llewellyn ‘the Last’ to decorate the Tower of London.

Making his eldest son the first English Prince of Wales

In 1301 the future Edward II became the first English prince to hold the title.