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 Born  circa 923   Born At  
 Died  23 Nov 955   Buried At  Winchester
 Royal House  Wessex
 
adred was the King of Wessex from May 946 until his death in 955. He died in early age possibly due to a digestive illness that he suffered from. He devoted his life to God and ensured his palace was a school of virtue. He was threatened by the invasion of Eric Bloodaxe who had been deposed from Norway. Bloodaxe was a ferocious Norse Viking who set himself up as the King of Northumbria in York. In response to the invasion Eadred travelled north and ravaged the area, a common practice used to deny supplies to the enemy. The Northumbrians abandoned Eric Bloodaxe as they saw in Eadred someone more formidable than the Viking. Eadred had no children so at his death Eadwig was chosen as king being the oldest child in the natural line of the House of Wessex. Eadwig became king at the age of sixteen.
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Preceded by
EDMUND (I, King of the English 939-946)
Succeeded by
EADWIG (King of the English 955-959)

Family Tree Details
Father:  EDWARD (the Elder, King of West Saxons, 899-924) (b.871 - d.924)
Mother:  Wife of Edward the Elder
EADRED (King of the English 946-955) (b.923 - d.955)
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946  May  Eadred becomes King of Wessex
   Eadred became King of Wessex. He followed his brother Edmund who was murdered. Edmund left two sons, Eadwig and Edgar, who were both too young to rule. 
948    Eadred destroys the monastery at Ripon.
   Eadred destroys the monastery at Ripon.1 
954    York falls to Eadred
   Eadred defeated Eric Bloodaxe the Dane that had ruled the kingdom of York on and off for several years. Eric was killed and Eadred took control of the kingdom of York. Eadred nominated Oswulf as the new ruler of Northumbria.2 
955    Eadred dies
   Eadred died at an early age possibly due to a digestive illness. He was followed by Eadwig. 
    Eadwig becomes King of Wessex
   Eadwig became the King of Wessex on the death of Eadred. 
956    Dunstan sent into exile
   Eadwig sent Dunstaninto exile. The reason for this is that Dunstan had caught Eadwig and Aelgifu together before they were married and at a time when Eadwig should have attended an important meeting. Dunstan must have upset Eadwig at this point and was sent into exile. 
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Selection of references used:

1. Richard Muir, Old Yorkshire, 0-7181-2847-8
2. C.W.Previte-Orton, The shorter Cambridge Medieval History

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Medieval and Middle Ages History Timelines - EADRED (King of the English 946-955)
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