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You are here : People » Rulers of England » EDWARD (the Elder, King of West Saxons, 899-924)

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Born

circa 871

Born At

Died

17 Jul 924

Buried At

Winchester

Royal House

Wessex

uler of Wessex from 899 after the death of his father Alfred the Great until July 924. When Alfred died the matter of succession was disputed by Edward and his cousin Athelwold. Edward found support in the south of the country while Athelwold found support in the Danes of Northumbria who accepted him as their over-lord. Athelwold was killed in battle in 905. Edward's sister Athelflaed married Aethelred the ruler of Mercia and together Edward and Aethelred defeated the Danes at Tattenhall in 910. In 911 Aethelred died but Athelflaed became the ruler of Mercia and was known as the 'Lady of the Mercians. Alongside her brother Athelflaed fought against the invading Vikings. She died in 918 after which Edward the Elder was able to add Mercia to his domains.

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Preceded by
ALFRED (The Great, King of Wessex 871-899)

Succeeded by
ATHELSTAN (King of the English 924-939)

Family Tree Details

Father:	ALFRED (The Great, King of Wessex 871-899) (b.849 - d.899)
Mother:	Ealhswith ( - d.905)

EDWARD (the Elder, King of West Saxons, 899-924) (b.871 - d.924)
         +Wife of Edward the Elder
                  =ATHELSTAN (King of the English 924-939) (b.895 - d.939)
                  =EDMUND (I, King of the English 939-946) (b.922 - d.946)
                  |        +Aelfgifu ( - d.944)
                  |                 =EADWIG (King of the English 955-959) (b.939 - d.959)
                  |                 =EDGAR (I, King of the English 959-975) (b.944 - d.975)
                  |                          +Ethelflead
                  |                          |        =EDWARD (The Martyr, King of the English 975-978) (b.962 - d.978)
                  |                          +Wulfryth
                  |                          +Elfthyrth (b.945 - d.1000)
                  |                                   =Edmund (b.965 - )
                  |                                   =AETHELRED (II The Unready, King of the English 978-1013, 1014-1016) (b.967 - d.1016)
                  |                                            +Aelfgifu
                  |                                            |        =Aethelstan (son of Aethelred)
                  |                                            |        =Egbert
                  |                                            |        =EDMUND (II Ironside, King of the English 1016) (b.981 - d.1016)
                  |                                            |        =Eadred
                  |                                            |        =Eadwig
                  |                                            |        =Edgar
                  |                                            +Emma (of Normandy, Wife of Aethelred) (b.982 - d.1052)
                  |                                                     =EDWARD (The Confessor, King of England 1042-1066) (b.1003 - d.1066)
                  |                                                     =Alfred (Second son of Aethelred) ( - d.1036)
                  |                                                     =Godgifu (Daughter of Aethelred)
                  =EADRED (King of the English 946-955) (b.923 - d.955)

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Mini Timeline (Ages are approximate)

894		Battle at Farnham	Age: 23
		While Alfred concentrated his efforts against the Danes at Milton, the Danes at Appledore left their camp. Alfred's son Edward took an army and caught the Danes at Farnham. Edward dealt a heavy blow and forced the Danes to retreat to an island on the River Colne. At the same time Danes from East Anglia had sailed around to the Cornish coast and had besieged Exeter. Aflred, who had been on his way to help Edward deal with the Danes on the island, changed direction and headed for Exeter. Back in Essex Haesten had gained reinforcements and moved to a new fortified site at Benfleet, but the fort was attacked by the Saxons while the Danes were on a raiding trip and this forced Haesten to move to Shoebury. The Danes outside Exeter ended their siege and sailed around to the join Haesten at Shoebury.
899	Oct 26	Alfred dies, Edward 'The Elder' becomes King	Age: 28
		Alfred the Great died on October 26th and Edward, his son, became king of Wessex. Apart from the English people under Danish rule, Alfred had ruled over all the English in the country.¹
905		Athelwold killed	Age: 34
		Athelwold and Eric the Dane were killed in battle against Edward the Elder.²
906		Peace with Northumbria	Age: 35
		Edward the Elder managed to agree peace terms with the Danes in Northumbria but friendly relationships were not to last.²
907		Romsey Abbey founded	Age: 36
		According to medieval accounts the abbey for nuns was founded at Romsey by Edward the Elder in this year.³
910	Aug	Battle of Tettenhall	Age: 39
		Edward the Elder of Wessex with help from Aethelred of Mercia defeated Danes from York at the battle of Tettenhall (Wednesfield) in Staffordshire. ⁴
917		Battle of Tempsford	Age: 46
		The Danes were defeated at the battle of Tempsford and their leader Guthurm was killed.⁵
924	Jul 17	Edward the Elder dies	Age: 53
		Edward the Elder died (at Farndon in Mercia). He was succeeded by his son Athelstan.⁶