Edward the Elder

Background

Edward the Elder was probably born about a year after her parents' marriage, and Edward was brought up with his youngest sister, Aelfthryth.

Education

According to Asser in his Life of King Alfred, Edward and Aelfthryth were educated at court by male and female tutors, and read ecclesiastical and secular works in English, such as the Psalms and Old English poems. They were taught the courtly qualities of gentleness and humility, and Asser wrote that they were obedient to their father and friendly to visitors. This is the only known case of an Anglo-Saxon prince and princess receiving the same upbringing.

Career

He continued his father's spirited defense of Anglo-Saxon domains against Danish invaders. He also greatly increased the power of the West Saxon monarchy. Nothing of importance is known of Edward before his succession to the West Saxon Kingship in 899, on the death of his father, Alfred. At that time Wessex and its dependent kingdoms were in no immediate danger of invasion by the Danes, who had harassed England for over a century and whom Alfred had twice beaten off decisively. Nonetheless, the colonies established by the Danes in northern and eastern England were a constant threat to the Anglo-Saxons, and Edward fought occasional, inconclusive battles with the colonists during the first decade of his reign. On one occasion, shortly after his accession, his cousin Ethelwold, frustrated in his attempt to claim the rule of Wessex for himself, raised an army in Danish England and attacked Edward's lands. Edward raided East Anglia in retaliation and killed Ethelwold. In 909 Edward sent an army to attack the Northumbrian Danes. When they retaliated the following year, the Danes were so conclusively defeated that they ceased to be a factor in the Anglo-Danish wars for some years. Edward then began a systematic campaign to subdue East Anglia and the Danish midlands with the help of his sister, Ethelfleda (Aethelflaed), Lady of the Mercians, widow of a Mercian king dependent upon Wessex. Her chain of fortresses constructed throughout northern Mercia and Edward's intelligent use of the militia system created by Alfred enabled the King to consolidate his annual gains against the Danes and to turn the chronic disunity of the colonists against themselves. When Ethelfleda died in 918, Edward assumed closer control over Mercia. In the same year several of the princes of western Wales accepted Edward as their lord. By the end of 918 the last Danish strongholds had surrendered. Now all England south of the Humber was under Edward's authority. In the later years of his reign Edward fought battles against new adversaries-Viking raiders stationed in Ireland who attacked the western coast of Mercia. In 920 Edward campaigned against the raiders, and at the end of the summer all the kings of Britain acknowledged his overlordship. Thereafter, Edward remodeled the administrative structure of Mercia, creating several new shires. His last battle was fought against a rebellious force of allied Mercians and Welshmen-two groups traditionally restless under West Saxon domination. Edward died on July 17, 924, and was succeeded by his son Athelstan, who consolidated his father's considerable military and political achievements.

Achievements

• As ruler of the West Saxons, or Wessex, from 899 to 924, Edward extended his authority over almost all of England by conquering areas that previously had been held by Danish invaders.

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• Post-conquest chroniclers had a high opinion of Edward. John of Worcester described him as "the most invincible King Edward the Elder", who was generally seen as "inferior to Alfred in book learning", but "equal to him in dignity and power, and superior to him in glory".
  
  In the view of F. T. Wainwright: "Without detracting from the achievements of Alfred, it is well to remember that it was Edward who reconquered the Danish Midlands and gave England nearly a century of respite from serious Danish attacks. "
  
  According to Nick Higham: "Edward the Elder is perhaps the most neglected of English kings. He ruled an expanding realm for twenty-five years and arguably did as much as any other individual to construct a single, south-centred, Anglo-Saxon kingdom, yet posthumously his achievements have been all but forgotten. "

Connections

Edward had about fourteen children from three marriages. He first married Ecgwynn around 893. They had two children. In c. 900, Edward married Ælfflæd. Together they had eight children. Edward married for a third time, about 919, Eadgifu, the daughter of Sigehelm, Ealdorman of Kent. They had four children.

Spouse:

Eadgifu

Spouse:

Ecgwynn

Spouse:

Ælfflæd

Father :

Alfred, King of Wessex

Sister:

Aelfthryth

mother :

Ealhswith

Daughter:

Eadburh

Benedictine nun at Nunnaminster, Winchester, and saint

Daughter:

Eadgifu

Daughter:

Eadhild

Son:

Edmund

Son:

Æthelstan

King of England 924-939

Son:

Eadred

Son:

Ælfweard

Son:

Edwin

Son:

Eadgyth