Edward I was dubbed Hammer of the Scots

It had been planned to depict Edward I - Scots leader William Wallace's arch rival - on a set of 1970s stamps

However, that proposal was dropped amid concern over Scottish reaction to the image of the English king.

The disclosure came to light when official documents were made public under the 30-year rule.

'Controversial'

Initially, the stamps were to feature Robert the Bruce for Scotland, Owain Glyndwr for Wales and King Henry V for England.

Boadicea was also suggested as a candidate but, being born in 30AD, her choice was seen as too dated and Edward I was suggested as an alternative.

An official from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications wrote to the Scottish Home and Health Department: "The inclusion of Edward I instead of Boadicea in this series may make the series rather more controversial.

"I believe Edward I was known as the 'Hammer of the Scots' as well as the 'Hammer of the Welsh'.

Wallace was defeated by Edward I in 1298 at the Battle of Falkirk

"The proposed series is designed to commemorate 'great Britons.' Looking back on our history, it's inevitable that the prominent figures in our medieval past were not exactly on all fours with each other.

"The Welsh Office has taken the view that it was unlikely that serious objection could be taken since the inclusion of Edward I would be fairly balanced by a Welsh and a Scottish national hero, both of them a source of much irritation to the English."

Edward I, born in 1239, was dubbed the Hammer of the Scots when he defeated William Wallace at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298.

An official from the Scottish Home and Health Department wrote back, saying that honouring Edward I on a stamp could be seen as displaying a "lack of consideration of the sensitivies of the Scots".

Robert the Bruce

The 'Black Prince' - the eldest child of King Edward III - was instead chosen as Boadicea's replacement.

Robert the Bruce was picked as the Scots hero by the Historiographer Royal because it was "under his leadership that Scotland emerged as a separate kingdom in Great Briton".

There were some concerns at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications that his inclusion would upset the English, but they decided to proceed.