Edgar the Atheling

Edgar the Atheling, or Edgar Ætheling, c. 1052 – 1125 or afterGeoffrey Treasure, Ian Dawson, Who's who in British History, Volume 1 (London; Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers, 1998), p. 393) was a claimant to the throne of England in 1066 after Edward the Confessor died."Atheling" means "prince of the royal family" Edgar was a popular choice among the English because he was English and a grandson of Edmund Ironside. 

 Ealy life 
Edgar was born in Hungary, where his father was in exile. When Edgar was five, his father, Edward the Exile returned to England from Hungary. He had been exiled from England during the Viking reign. Soon after he had returned, Edgar’s father died under mysterious circumstances.

 King of England 
Edward the Confessor, who had no children, had promised the throne to his nephew Edward the Exile, his nearest living relative.Martin Collier, Changing Times 1066-1500 (Oxford: Heinemann, 2003), p. 20 In 1057, the king's messengers found Edward The Exile, his wife, Agatha; their two daughters; and their son Edgar, who were living in Hungary.David Hughes, The British Chronicles, Volume 1 (Westminster, MD: Heritage Books, 2007), p. 299 Edward agreed to return to England and brought his family.

However, a few days after their arrival, Edward was killed. Edgar was then only five years old. When Edward the Confessor died, Edgar was still young (15 years old) and had no experience, money or fighters. The leaders in England expected attacks from Norway and Normandy. Under those conditions, Edgar was not a good choice as king. Royal succession in Anglo-Saxon England was determined by the Witenagemot (Witan), a council of wise men.Vernon Bogdanor, The Monarchy and the Constitution (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 1997), p. 2

While Edgar was an aetheling, a prince of the royal family, he was not the heir apparent, which was was unknown in Anglo-Saxon England.Levi Roach, Kingship and Consent in Anglo-Saxon England, 871–978 (New York; Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2013), p. 40, n. 50 A king could recommend his successor, but the actual choice was made by the Witan. The Witan first chose Edward's brother-in-law, Harold Godwinson, to be the next king.Frank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England, Third Edition (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 1971), p. 580 On the same day that Edward the Confessor was buried, Harold was hurriedly crowned king at Westminster Abbey.

Nine months later, on 14 October 1066, at the Battle of Hastings, Harold was killed.Frank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England, Third Edition (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 1971), pp. 593–597 William, Duke of Normandy, rested his army for five days before he marched to London. During that time, Edgar was selected as king in London. It was thought that a second army could be raised to fight the Normans if they had a king whose name could unite England. Howeverm William took control of England with his army before Edgar could be crowned. William met with the English leaders, including Edgar, at Berkhamsted. There, William received oaths of fealty and received hostages from Edgar.

 After Norman Invasion 
Six months after Berkhamsted, William, who was now King of England, returned to Normandy. To make things easier for his representatives, who were left to govern England, he took Edgar and others with him. At the end of 1067, William brought Edgar back to England when he returned. In the summer of 1068, Edgar took his mother and sisters and escaped to Scotland. His sister, Margaret, married King Malcolm III of Scotland. Along with Malcolm, Edgar took part in several military campaigns against William, who was now now King of England. He later took part in the Crusades.

Edgar remained unmarried and never produced any children. He lived until c.1126, when he was aged 75.Frank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England, Third Edition (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 1971), p. 577 Edgar was the last living male member of the Anglo-Saxon royalty.Frank Stenton, Anglo-Saxon England, Third Edition (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 1971), p. 596

Ancestry
Edgar was a direct descendant of a line of Wessex kings that the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle traced back to the dynasty's supposed 6th-century founder, Cerdic, a descent that includes Alfred the Great. His grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather were all Kings of England before Cnut the Great became king of all England.Ronay, Gabriel 1989. The lost King of England: the East European adventures of Edward the Exile. Woodbridge, Suffolk ; Wolfeboro, N.H., USA: Boydell Press. 

 References 

 Other websites 
 Edgar the Atheling, English Monarchs
 Edgar the Atheling, Schoolhistory.com

Category:1051 births
Category:1120s deaths
Category:House of Wessex
Category:11th century in England