Edward the Elder

Edward I (16 June 874 — 17 July 924) nicknamed the Elder or the Great was King of the Anglo-Saxons from 899 until his death in 924. He was the oldest child of the West Saxon king, Alfred, and his wife, Ealhswith of Mercia. During Edward's reign, Wessex greatly expanded and that England was almost unified, however, Edward died before he could do it.

When Edward became king in 899, he faced a rebellion led by his cousin, Æthelwold, who had believed that he had a better claim to the throne as he was the son of Athelred I, the older brother and predecessor of Edward's father. Edward successfully defeated Æthelwold and his army in 902. After that, Edward continued to rule England effectively until his death in 824. He was succeeded by his oldest child, Athelstan, who continued his father's plan to unify England on which he had successfully did it in 927.

Atheling

Edward was the son of Alfred the Great and Ealhswith. She was a daughter of Ethelred, also called Mucill, Ealdorman of the Gaini. He was born about the year 870. As one of at least three athelings, it was not absolutely certain he would be king after his father.The rules of succession were somewhat flexible at this time. Being the king's son did not guarantee succession. The new king was selected from among the eligible Athelings (sons and grandsons of former kings). Generally an adult heir was preferred over a child heir. His cousin, Aethelwold, was older and was the son of Alfred's older brother Athelred of Wessex. When he was about four years old Edward was sent to Rome. There, in a ceremony, he was given a sword, belt and given the rank of consul. This is one of several things Alfred did to make Edward the first choice among the Athelings who would succeed him as king. By a past agreement Alfred had control of most of the royal estates. He could leave all or some to Edward. In the 880s, Alfred made a will giving most of the royal estates to his son Edward, and left his two nephews only modest lands in the eastern part of the realm. This meant that if Ethelhelm were selected as king over Edward, he might not have enough income to support himself as king.

King of Wessex 

Edward ruled from time of his father's death on 26 October, 899. But he wasn't crowned until Whitsunday (8 June) of 900. His reign began with his cousin Athelwold, son of King Athelred, seizing the royal manors of Wimborne and Christchurch. When Edward confronted him Athelwold fled. He left behind a nun he had abducted. Athelwold was accepted by the Danes of Northumbria. There he was elected King of York. In 901 Athelwold was in Essex with a fleet he raised over seas. In 902 he convinced a Danish army in East Anglia to raid into Wessex and Mercia with him. In response Edward led his army into East Anglia and destroyed the countryside. Edward ordered his troops to retire back to Wessex, but the Kentish men disobeyed his orders and stayed behind. The Danish army quickly caught up with them. In the battle that followed, Athelwold was killed. 
   
Edward continued his wars against the Danes. He received a great deal of aid from his sister, Ethelflaeda. She had married Ethelred of Mercia and at his death she became the leader of the Mercians. Together Edward and Ethelflaeda defeated the Danes in numerous battles. But Ethelflaeda also built a line of fortresses on the Mercian Frontier. This was what her father Alfred the Great had done on the Wessex borders with the Danish held territories. Edward began to use these fortresses differently. Not just for defense of his own lands he used them to hold captured lands. Edward and his sister were very successful against the Danes. So much so they quit raiding into Wessex and Mercia. Freed of wars with the Danes, Edward could attend to other issues. He brought Strathclyde and parts of Northumbria under his control. He also brought Mercia under his direct rule after his sister Ethelflaeda died. The appearance of the Viking leader Ragnvald in York slowed his progress. But by the end of his reign he had control of all lands south of the River Humber. In a treaty Ragnvald, the kings of Strathclyde and the Scots recognized his rule.

In 924 Mercian nobles wanting to be free of Edward's rule made an alliance with the Welsh. Edward quickly put down the rebellion and placed a garrison in the town of Chester. But this expedition proved to be his last. Edward died 17 July 924. Before the end of the year his son Athelstan was recognized as the rightful king.

Family 

Edward's first wife was Egwina. Together they had:

 Athelstan (c.893–939), succeeded as King of England.
 A daughter who married Sihtric Cáoch, Viking king of York.

Edward married secondly, Elfleda, a daughter of Æthelhelm. Together they had:

 * Ælfweard of Wessex (died 925), died 16 days after his father. 
 Edgiva (died aft. 951), married Charles the Simple
 Ethelhild, a nun at Wilton.
 Eadhild, married Hugh the Great, Duke of the Franks and Count of Paris.
 Eadgyth (died 946/47), married Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor.
 Eadfled, became a nun at Wilton.
 Adiva, married in 929 Boleslaw I, Duke of Bohemia.

As his third wife, Edward married Eadgifu, the daughter of Sigehelm. Together they had:

 Edmund (921–946).
 Eadred (923–955)
 Edburga, nun at Winchester.
 Eadgifu, married Louis of Aquitaine.

Notes

References

Other websites 
 The laws of King Edward the Elder

870s births
924 deaths
House of Wessex