Edward the Elder: King of the Anglo-Saxons, Forgotten Son of Alfred

Edward the Elder, the forgotten son of Alfred the Great, succeeded to the kingdom of Wessex and played a significant role in Anglo-Saxon history. He was a skilled military strategist and commander, a strong and stable ruler, and the most powerful figure of the early tenth century. His military successes, including conquering the southern Danelaw, secured the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and laid the foundation for the nation-state of England. His contribution deserves to be recognized and a new assessment of his reign is long overdue.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2022
Publisher: Amberley Publishing

Edward the Elder, the successor to Alfred the Great, assumed the throne of Wessex. However, his contemporaries and subsequent historians often overlooked or underestimated his significance in history. He is often referred to as the forgotten son of Alfred. It is time to reassess Edward's reign and recognize his invaluable contribution to Anglo-Saxon history.

Edward proved to be an equal match to his father in consolidating and expanding the advancements achieved. His reign laid the groundwork for the eventual unification of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the formation of the nation-state of England. The course of English medieval history after his death was directly shaped by the military triumphs achieved during his rule.

Edward was a formidable military strategist and commander, exhibiting strength and stability as a ruler and administrator. He was the dominant figure in the early tenth century. Alongside his renowned sister Æthelflæd, he constructed fortresses to safeguard against Viking invasions. Edward successfully conquered the southern Danelaw, solidifying his dominance and expanding his kingdom.

It is fitting to acknowledge Edward as a great Anglo-Saxon king in his own right, on par with every English monarch in the millennium since his reign. His legacy deserves to be celebrated and his contributions to English history should be recognized for their lasting impact.

Weight: 258g
Dimension: 130 x 198 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398112384