The Reigns of Edmund, Eadred and Eadwig, 939-959: New Interpretations

The essays in this volume explore the importance of three kings - Edmund, Eadred, and Eadwig - in understanding England in the tenth century, highlighting royal legal innovations, ecclesiastical law, oaths, heriot, complex factional politics, and literary culture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 06 February 2024
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

The study of the English kingdom in the tenth century has been a rich and complex field, with much scholarly attention devoted to the reigns of Alfred the Great, Edward the Elder, and Æthelstan. However, the English kingdom in the 940s and 950s, and its three kings, Edmund (939-946), Eadred (946-955), and Eadwig (955-959), have received relatively less attention. This volume seeks to rectify this neglect by offering a range of approaches to the period. Contributors to this volume explore various aspects of the era, including royal legal innovations, ecclesiastical law, oaths, heriot, complex factional politics, the role of queens, different perspectives on the final era of an independent northern kingdom of York, and developments in literary culture outside the dominance of later monastic reformers.

Edmund, Eadred, and Eadwig, three kings who ruled England in the tenth century, have been largely overlooked in scholarly discourse. While much attention has been paid to the expanding kingdoms of Alfred the Great, Edward the Elder, and Æthelstan, as well as the larger and more integrated realms of their distant successors, Edgar and Æthelred II, the English kingdom in the 940s and 950s, and its three kings, Edmund (939-946), Eadred (946-955), and Eadwig (955-959), have received relatively little research. This volume aims to rectify this neglect by presenting a diverse range of approaches to the period. Contributors to this volume shed light on various aspects of the era, including royal legal innovations, ecclesiastical law, oaths, heriot, complex factional politics, the role of queens, different perspectives on the final era of an independent northern kingdom of York, and developments in literary culture outside the dominance of later monastic reformers.

Edmund, the first king of the period, succeeded his brother Eadred in 939. He was a powerful ruler who faced several challenges during his reign. One of the most significant challenges was the invasion of England by the Danes, led by Sweyn Forkbeard. Edmund managed to repel the invasion, but it left a lasting impact on the kingdom. Another challenge was the rise of the powerful earl Godwin, who challenged Edmund's authority and eventually became the king of Wessex. Despite these challenges, Edmund remained a strong king and was able to maintain stability in the kingdom.

Eadred, Edmund's successor, ruled from 946 to 955. He was a less successful king than his predecessor and faced several challenges during his reign. One of the most significant challenges was the continued threat of the Danes, who continued to raid and pillage English territories. Eadred was unable to repel the Danes and was eventually forced to make peace with them, which weakened the kingdom's position in the region. Another challenge was the rise of the powerful earl Æthelstan, who challenged Eadred's authority and eventually became the king of Wessex. Eadred was unable to prevent Æthelstan's rise and was eventually forced to abdicate in favor of him.

Eadwig, Edmund's successor, ruled from 955 to 959. He was a young king who faced several challenges during his reign. One of the most significant challenges was the continued threat of the Danes, who continued to raid and pillage English territories. Eadwig was unable to repel the Danes and was eventually forced to make peace with them, which weakened the kingdom's position in the region. Another challenge was the rise of the powerful earl Æthelred, who challenged Eadwig's authority and eventually became the king of Wessex. Eadwig was unable to prevent Æthelred's rise and was eventually forced to abdicate in favor of him.

Despite the challenges they faced, Edmund, Eadred, and Eadwig were important kings who played a crucial role in shaping the English kingdom in the tenth century. Their reigns saw significant legal innovations, including the introduction of the coronation oath, which was a significant step in establishing the legitimacy of the English monarchy. They also faced complex factional politics, which were a reflection of the changing political landscape of the time. The role of queens, who played a significant role in the politics of the kingdom, was also explored in this volume.

In conclusion, the English kingdom in the 940s and 950s, and its three kings, Edmund, Eadred, and Eadwig, have been largely neglected in scholarly discourse. This volume seeks to rectify this neglect by presenting a diverse range of approaches to the period. Contributors to this volume shed light on various aspects of the era, including royal legal innovations, ecclesiastical law, oaths, heriot, complex factional politics, the role of queens, different perspectives on the final era of an independent northern kingdom of York, and developments in literary culture outside the dominance of later monastic reformers. By studying these kings and their reigns, we can gain a deeper understanding of the English kingdom in the tenth century and its place in the broader historical context.

Weight: 1g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783277643