Family Tree
  • Episodes
    Episode Index Key Dates Timelines By Category This day in history
    Episodes
    Saxons, Angles and Jutes Viking Invasions The Norman Invasion The Hundred Years War War of the Roses Complete list of Episodes
    Timelines
    Timeline Index 1001 .. 1100 1101 .. 1200 1201 .. 1300 1301 .. 1400 1401 .. 1500 1501 .. 1600
    Key Dates
    1001 - 1200 1201 - 1300 1301 - 1400 1401 - 1500 1501 - 1600
    More
    This day in history Timelines by Category
  • People
    Medieval People A..Z English Kings & Queens Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emperors of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers Family Trees
    Rulers
    Medieval People A..Z English Kings & Queens Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emperors of Byzantine Listed by Century Births and Deaths Family Trees
    More
    Popes and Antipopes Crusader State Rulers
    Heraldry
    Medieval Heraldry Heraldry Colours Heraldry Divisons Heraldry Ordinaries Heraldry Crosses Common Charges Heraldry Beasts
    Shield Designer
    Design your Shield
  • Life
    Life in Medieval Times Life in a Castle The Feudal System Country Life and Agriculture Life in a Medieval Town Life in a Religious Community
    General
    Life in Medieval Times The Feudal System The Black Death The Peasants Revolt
    Life in
    Life in a Castle Life in a Village Life in a Town
    The Abbey
    Life in an Abbey The Medieval Abbey The Origin of Monasteries Religious Orders
  • Castles
    Castle Index Page Castle Development Early Fortifications Motte and bailey Castles Square Keeps Castle of William the Conqueror Concentric Castles Castles of Edward I Castle Siege Tactics Parts of a Castle Locations of over 300 Castles UK Castles by County
    General
    Castle Index Page Castle Development Purpose of a Castle Life in a Castle
    Types
    Early Fortifications Motte and Bailey Square Keeps Conquest Castles Concentric Castles Castles of Edward I
    More
    Castle Siege Tactics Parts of a Castle Master Masons
    Locations
    300 Castles UK Castles by County
  • Places
    A..Z list of Medieval Buildings Maps Photographs Abbeys and Monasteries Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
    Places
    Medieval Buildings A..Z Photographs
    Maps
    Index Page
    Abbeys
    Abbeys and Monasteries Layout of a Medieval Abbey Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
     
  • 3D/VR
    Virtual Reconstructions
    Virtual Motte and Bailey Castle Virtual Norman Keep Virtual Siege Engines
    Virtual Bodiam Castle Virtual Skenfrith Castle Virtual Middleham Castle Virtual White Tower Virtual Etal Castle
    Knights Training
    3D Reconstructions
    Index Page Motte and Bailey Castle Bodiam Castle Skenfrith Castle Middleham Castle The White Tower
    3D Locations
    The Medieval Abbey The Medieval Town The Medieval Village
    2D
    The Medieval Town The Manor House
    Headset VR
    VR Experiences VR Medieval Keep VR Medieval House
  • More
    • Test your Knowledge

    • Glossary of Terms
    • Glossary of Heraldic Terms
    • Scriptorium

    • Games
    • Early Access

    • Copyright / About TimeRef.com
    • Contact the Author
  • Episodes
    Episodes
    Saxons, Angles and Jutes Viking Invasions The Norman Invasion The Hundred Years War War of the Roses Complete list of Episodes
    Timelines
    Timeline Index 1001 .. 1100 1101 .. 1200 1201 .. 1300 1301 .. 1400 1401 .. 1500 1501 .. 1600
    Key Dates
    1001 - 1200 1201 - 1300 1301 - 1400 1401 - 1500 1501 - 1600
    More
    This day in history Timelines by Category
  • People
    Rulers
    Medieval People A..Z English Kings & Queens Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emperors of Byzantine Listed by Century Births and Deaths Family Trees
    More
    Popes and Antipopes Crusader State Rulers
    Heraldry
    Medieval Heraldry Heraldry Colours Heraldry Divisons Heraldry Ordinaries Heraldry Crosses Common Charges Heraldry Beasts
    Shield Designer
    Design your Shield
  • Life
    General
    Life in Medieval Times The Feudal System The Black Death The Peasants Revolt
    Life in
    Life in a Castle Life in a Village Life in a Town
    The Abbey
    Life in an Abbey The Medieval Abbey The Origin of Monasteries Religious Orders
  • Castles
    General
    Castle Index Page Castle Development Purpose of a Castle Life in a Castle
    Types
    Early Fortifications Motte and Bailey Square Keeps Conquest Castles Concentric Castles Castles of Edward I
    More
    Castle Siege Tactics Parts of a Castle Master Masons
    Locations
    300 Castles UK Castles by County
  • Places
    A..Z list of Medieval Buildings Maps Photographs Abbeys and Monasteries Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
    Places
    Medieval Buildings A..Z Photographs
    Maps
    Index Page
    Abbeys
    Abbeys and Monasteries Layout of a Medieval Abbey Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
     
  • 3D/VR
    3D Reconstructions
    Index Page Motte and Bailey Castle Bodiam Castle Skenfrith Castle Middleham Castle The White Tower
    3D Locations
    The Medieval Abbey The Medieval Town The Medieval Village
    2D
    The Medieval Town The Manor House
    Headset VR
    VR Experiences VR Medieval Keep VR Medieval House
  • More
    • Test your Knowledge

    • Glossary of Terms
    • Glossary of Heraldic Terms
    • Scriptorium

    • Games
    • Early Access

    • Copyright / About TimeRef.com
    • Contact the Author
Biography
Biography
Please note that the TimeRef website is currently being redesigned.

Edgar (The Aetheling)

Tweet
 Borncirca 1052   Born At
 Diedcirca 1126  Buried At
 FatherEdward (The Exile)  MotherAgatha (of Brunswick)
 Borncirca 1052 / 
 Diedcirca 1126 / 
Edgar was the son of Edward the Exile and grandson of Edmund II (Ironside), King of England. Edward the Exile had fled from England when Edmund II died and Canute had become King in 1016. In 1057 Edward the Exile and Edgar returned to England but Edward died shortly after. Edgar was brought up by Edward the Confessor. Because Edward the Confessor had no children Edgar was nominated as the heir to the English throne. When Edward the Confessor died in January of 1066 Edgar was too young to rule unaided and so Harold Godwinson was chosen as the next king of England. After Harold was killed at the battle of Hastings, in October of 1066, Edgar was briefly nominated as King until William the Conqueror assumed the title in December. Edgar and his family fled to Scotland in 1068 to the court of the Scottish king Malcolm III and the king married Edgar's sister Margaret. In 1072 William the Conqueror led an army into Scotland to prevent the Scots supporting Edgar's claim to the English throne. At the treaty of Abernethy, Malcolm agreed to become William's vassal and to expel Edgar. Edgar had travelled to Flanders and France, maybe fearing the advancing English army. In 1073 Edgar returned to Scotland with support from King Philippe I of France who wanted Edgar to stir up trouble in the north but a storm in the North Sea put paid to any attempts and Edgar surrendered to William. Edgar agreed to drop his claim to the throne in exchange for some lands and a place at court. In 1086 Edgar was commanding an army of knights in Italy. Edgar had formed a connection to Robert Curthose, the Conqueror's eldest son and on his return from Italy Edgar was holding lands in Normandy where Robert was Duke. In 1091 Edgar had to flee again when William Rufus, the English King invaded Normandy attacking the army of Robert Curthose, his elder brother and taking some of his land. The peace agreement signed by the brothers forcing Edgar out.

Related Episodes

Norman Conquest (click here)

Norman Conquest (click here)

Norman Invasion (click here)

Norman Invasion (click here)

Siblings

Fantasy image of Margaret (of Wessex)
Margaret (of Wessex)

Parents

Fantasy image of Edward (The Exile)
Edward (The Exile)
Fantasy image of Agatha (of Brunswick)
Agatha (of Brunswick)
tab 2
tab 3

 

Family Tree Details

Father:Edward (The Exile) (b.1016 - d.1057)
Mother:Agatha (of Brunswick)
Show Graphical Tree
 Edgar (The Aetheling) (b.1052? - d.1126?)
 Edgar (The Aetheling) (b.1052? - d.1126?)

See Also

    People

    • Edmund (II Ironside, King of the English 1016)
    • Edward (The Exile)
    • William (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087)
    • Malcolm (III, Scottish King 1058-1093)
    • Margaret (of Wessex)
    • Edmund (of Scotland)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Timeline

    1066(Age: 14yrs)
    Nov (to Dec)
    William advances to London

    After his victory at the battle of Hastings William moved along the south coast to Dover where extra fortifications were built in the existing castle at the top of the cliffs. From there he moved on to Canterbury. After the death of King Harold the archbishops of York and Canterbury, Ealdred and Stigand supported the plan to put Edgar the Atheling on the English throne but William moved too quickly for this to be done and Edgar was too young and inexperienced to take on the role. Canterbury submitted to William and he moved on to London. Instead of entering London from the south he moved around the west of the city crossing the Thames at Wallingford. Finally archbishop Stigand and the other Anglo-Saxon leaders submitted to William and after turning south at Little Berkhamsted William the Conqueror entered London.

    1067(Age: 15yrs)
    Mar
    William returns to Normandy

    William returned to Normandy taking as guests Edgar the Aetheling (the grandson of Edmund Ironside), Stigand (Archbishop of Canterbury, the Earls of Mercia and Northumbria and the brothers Edwin and Morcar. ¹

    1068(Age: 16yrs)
    ...
    Malcolm III marries Edgar's sister

    Edgar the Aetheling took refuge with Malcolm III in Scotland along with his sister Margaret. Malcolm and Margaret were married in the same year.

    1072(Age: 20yrs)
    Jun
    William leads an army into Scotland

    It is possible that William the Conqueror was planning to attack King Malcolm to prevent him protecting Edgar the Aetheling and to stop him advancing into the north of England. The treaty 'Peace of Abernethy' brought a solution to the situation where Malcolm agreed to become William's vassal and to expel Edgar. ¹

    1073(Age: 21yrs)
    ...
    Edgar the Aetheling attempts to take the English throne

    Edgar the Aetheling joined forces with King Malcolm in Scotland and King Philippe I of France in an attempt to take the English throne. A storm in the North Sea brought the endevour to an end and Edgar surrendered to William the Conqueror.

    1091(Age: 39yrs)
    Jan
    William Rufus invades Normandy

    King William II took an army into Normandy and attacked the army of his elder brother Robert Curthose, the Duke. William claimed some of Robert's lands after the brothers agreed to peace. One term of the agreement was that Edgar the Atheling should be expelled from Normandy as his potential claim to the English throne was a threat to William.

    Nov
    William Rufus renews agreement with Scots

    William Rufus renewed the arrangement that his father had with Malcolm III, King of the Scots. This may have included letting Malcolm have some areas of northern England. Even so this did not prevent further attacks on England in the north by the Scots. The negotiation of the peace between England and Scotland was assisted by Edgar the Atheling.  ¹

    1097(Age: 45yrs)
    ...
    Edgar Macmalcolm becomes king of the Scots

    Edgar, the son of Malcolm III of Scotland, and his second wife Margaret of Wessex became the king of Scotland after taking the Scottish throne from Donald Bane. Edgar was assisted by an English army supplied by William Rufus in return for swaring fealty to the Englsih King. The army was led by Edgar the Atheling, Edgar's uncle.

    1106(Age: 54yrs)
    Sep 28
    Henry attacks his brother again

    King Henry I attacked his brother Robert at the battle of Tinchebrai. This time with a much larger force Henry defeated and captured Robert along with William, the Count of Mortain. Henry locked Robert in Cardiff castle where he remained until he died in 1135. Also captured was Edgar the Atheling who had sided with Robert. Edgar was released as King Henry did not think he was a threat.

    1126(Age: 74yrs)
    ...
    Death of Edgar the Atheling

    Edgar the Atheling died without a male heir, ending Alfred the Great's line of succession.

    On this day in history:

    3D Virtual Reconstructions

    Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past. Built using the popular game development tool Unity 3D, these reconstructions will run in the most of the popular web browsers on your desktop or laptop computer.

    More medieval people

    Uncover the lives of the hundreds of kings, queens, lords, ladies, barons, earls, archbishops and rebels who made the medieval people an exciting period of history to live through.

    Page Navigation

    Selection of references used:

    • 1. David Bates, William the Conqueror, ISBN:0-540-01175-4
    • 2. J.D. Mackie, A History of Scotland, 1978, ISBN:0-7139-1206-5

      See Also

        People

        • Edmund (II Ironside, King of the English 1016)
        • Edward (The Exile)
        • William (I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087)
        • Malcolm (III, Scottish King 1058-1093)
        • Margaret (of Wessex)
        • Edmund (of Scotland)
        • A .. Z List of Medieval People

        Explore the White Tower

        Explore all four floors of the White Tower at the Tower of London using the Unity 3d game engine.

        3D/VR

        Virtual Buildings

        Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past.

        Medieval Heraldry

        Learn about medieval shield design.

        Design your own medieval Coat of Arms.

        Explore the White Tower

        Explore four floors of the keep at the Tower of London.

         

        Adventure Game - Early Access

        Early Access to the TimeRef card-based Adventure Game.

         

        Medieval Town - Early Access

        Explore the medieval town.

         

        Medieval Village - Early Access

        Explore the medieval village.

         

        Medieval Abbey - Early Access

        Explore the medieval abbey.

         

        Medieval Theatre - Early Access

        Explore the medieval theatre.

         

        ^ Back to top

                x-small

                small

                medium

                large

                x-large

                x-x-large

                This popup will contain more information
                This popup will contain more information
                xyz
                xyz