Biography of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons 874-924

Paternal Family Tree: Wessex

899 Death of King Alfred the Great

902 Battle of the Holme

911 Battle of Tettenhall

917 Battle of Tempsford

924 Death of King Edward Exile

In 868 [his father] King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex (age 19) and [his mother] Æalhswith of Mercia Queen Consort of England were married at Gainsborough [Map]. She the daughter of Æthelred Mucel Mercia Earldorman Gaini and Eadburh of Mercia. He the son of King Æthelwulf of Wessex and Osburgh Queen Consort Wessex.

In 871 [his uncle] King Æthelred of Wessex (age 24) was buried at Wimborne Minster, Dorset [Map]. [his father] King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex (age 22) succeeded King England. [his mother] Æalhswith of Mercia Queen Consort of England by marriage Queen Consort England.

Around 874 King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons was born to King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex (age 25) and Æalhswith of Mercia Queen Consort of England.

Around 893 King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons (age 19) and Ecgwynn Unknown Queen Consort Anglo Saxons were married. He the son of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex (age 44) and Æalhswith of Mercia Queen Consort of England.

Around 894 [his son] King Æthelstan I of England was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons (age 20) and [his wife] Ecgwynn Unknown Queen Consort Anglo Saxons.

Death of King Alfred the Great

On 26 Oct 899 [his father] King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex (age 50) died at Winchester, Hampshire [Map]. He was buried at Hyde Abbey. His son King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons (age 25) succeeded King Anglo Saxons. [his wife] Ecgwynn Unknown Queen Consort Anglo Saxons by marriage Queen Consort Anglo Saxons.

Around 900 King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons (age 26) and Aelfflaed Wiltshire Queen Anglo Saxons (age 30) were married. She the daughter of Æthelhelm Earldorman Wiltshire. He the son of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex and Æalhswith of Mercia Queen Consort of England.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 901. This year died [his father] ALFRED, the son of Ethelwulf, six nights before the mass of All Saints. He was king over all the English nation, except that part that was under the power of the Danes. He held the government one year and a half less than thirty winters; and then Edward (age 27) his son took to the government. Then Prince Ethelwald, the son of his [his uncle] paternal uncle, rode against the towns of Winburn and of Twineham [Map], without leave of the king and his council. Then rode the king with his army; so that he encamped the same night at Badbury [Map] near Winburn; and Ethelwald remained within the town with the men that were under him, and had all the gates shut upon him, saying, that he would either there live or there die. But in the meantime he stole away in the night, and sought the army in Northumberland. The king gave orders to ride after him; but they were not able to overtake him. The Danes, however, received him as their king. They then rode after the wife that Ethelwald had taken without the king's leave, and against the command of the bishops; for she was formerly consecrated a nun. In this year also died Ethered, who was alderman of Devonshire, four weeks before King Alfred.

Around 902 [his son] Aelfweard Wessex was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons (age 28) and [his wife] Aelfflaed Wiltshire Queen Anglo Saxons (age 32).

On 05 Dec 902 [his mother] Æalhswith of Mercia Queen Consort of England died.

Battle of the Holme

On 13 Dec 902 Æthelwold Prince Wessex revolted against his cousin King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons (age 28) helped by the Danes.

Sigehelm Earldorman Kent was killed fighting for King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons (age 28).

Brihtsige Wessex, Ysopa Wessex, Oscetel Wessex and Eohric King East Anglia were killed fighting for Æthelwold Prince Wessex.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 905. This year Ethelwald enticed the army in East-Anglia to rebellion; so that they overran all the land of Mercia, until they came to Cricklade [Map], where they forded the Thames; and having seized, either in Bradon or thereabout, all that they could lay their hands upon, they went homeward again. King Edward (age 31) went after, as soon as he could gather his army, and overran all their land between the foss and the Ouse quite to the fens northward. Then being desirous of returning thence, he issued an order through the whole army, that they should all go out at once. But the Kentish men remained behind, contrary to his order, though he had sent seven messengers to them. Whereupon the army surrounded them, and there they fought. There fell Aldermen Siwulf and Sigelm; Eadwold, the king's thane; Abbot Kenwulf; Sigebriht, the son of Siwulf; Eadwald, the son of Acca; and many also with them; though I have named the most considerable. On the Danish side were slain Eohric their king, and Prince Ethelwald, who had enticed them to the war. Byrtsige, the son of Prince Brihtnoth; Governor Ysop; Governor Oskytel; and very many also with them that we now cannot name. And there was on either hand much slaughter made; but of the Danes there were more slain, though they remained masters of the field. Ealswitha died this same year; and a comet appeared on the thirteenth day before the calends of November.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 907. This year died Alfred, who was governor of Bath. The same year was concluded the peace at Hitchingford, as King Edward (age 33) decreed, both with the Danes of East-Anglia, and those of Northumberland; and Chester [Map] was rebuilt.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 910. This year Frithestan took to the bishopric of Winchester; and Asser died soon after, who was Bishop of Sherborne. The same year King Edward (age 36) sent an army both from Wessex and Mercia, which very much harassed the northern army by their attacks on men and property of every kind. They slew many of the Danes, and remained in the country five weeks. This year the Angles and the Danes fought at Tootenhall; and the Angles had the victory. The same year [his sister] Ethelfleda (age 40) built the fortress at Bramsbury.

Battle of Tettenhall

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 911. This year the army in Northumberland broke the truce, and despised every right that Edward and his son demanded of them; and plundered the land of the Mercians. The king (age 37) had gathered together about a hundred ships, and was then in Kent while the ships were sailing along sea by the south-east to meet him. The army therefore supposed that the greatest part of his force was in the ships, and that they might go, without being attacked, where that ever they would. When the king learned on enquiry that they were gone out on plunder, he sent his army both from Wessex and Mercia; and they came up with the rear of the enemy as he was on his way homeward, and there fought with him and put him to flight, and slew many thousands of his men. There fell King Eowils, and King Healfden (age 37); Earls Ohter and Scurf; Governors Agmund, Othulf, and Benesing; Anlaf the Swarthy, and Governor Thunferth; Osferth the collector, and Governor Guthferth.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 912. This year died Ethered, alderman of Mercia; and King Edward (age 38) took to London, and to Oxford, and to all the lands that thereunto belonged. This year also came [his sister] Ethelfleda (age 42), lady of the Mercians, on the holy eve called the invention of the holy cross, to Shergate, and built the fortress there, and the same year that at Bridgenorth [Map].

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 913. This year, about Martinmas, King Edward (age 39) had the northern fortress built at Hertford [Map], betwixt the Memer, and the Benwic, and the Lea. After this, in the summer, betwixt gang-days and midsummer, went King Edward with some of his force into Essex, to Maldon [Map]; and encamped there the while that men built and fortified the town of Witham [Map]. And many of the people submitted to him, who were before under the power of the Danes. And some of his force, meanwhile, built the fortress at Hertford [Map] on the south side of the Lea. This year by the permission of God went [his sister] Ethelfleda (age 43), lady of Mercia, with all the Mercians to Tamworth [Map]; and built the fort there in the fore-part of the summer; and before Lammas that at Stafford [Map]: in the next year that at Eddesbury [Map], in the beginning of the summer; and the same year, late in the autumn, that at Warwick [Map]. Then in the following year was built, after mid-winter, that at Chirbury and that at Warburton; and the same year before mid-winter that at Runkorn [Map].

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 917. This year came a great naval armament over hither south from the Lidwiccians;40 and two earls with it, Ohter and Rhoald. They went then west about, till they entered the mouth of the Severn; and plundered in North-Wales everywhere by the sea, where it then suited them; and took Camlac the bishop in Archenfield, and led him with them to their ships; whom King Edward (age 43) afterwards released for forty pounds. After this went the army all up; and would proceed yet on plunder against Archenfield [Note. South and west Herefordshire]; but the men of Hertford [Note. Probably a mistake for Hereforshire] met them, and of Glocester, and of the nighest towns; and fought with them, and put them to flight; and they slew the Earl Rhoald, and the brother of Ohter the other earl, and many of the army. And they drove them into a park; and beset them there without, until they gave them hostages, that they would depart from the realm of King Edward (age 43). And the king had contrived that a guard should be set against them on the south side of Severnmouth; west from Wales, eastward to the mouth of the Avon; so that they durst nowhere seek that land on that side. Nevertheless, they eluded them at night, by stealing up twice; at one time to the east of Watchet, Somerset, and at another time at Porlock, Somerset. There was a great slaughter each time; so that few of them came away, except those only who swam out to the ships. Then sat they outward on an island, called the Flat-holms; till they were very short of meat, and many men died of hunger, because they could not reach any meat. Thence went they to Dimmet [Note. Possibly Braunton, Devon], and then out to Ireland. This was in harvest. After this, in the same year, before Martinmas, went King Edward (age 43) to Buckingham [Map] with his army, and sat there four weeks, during which he built the two forts on either side of the water, ere he departed thence. And Earl Thurkytel sought him for his lord; and all the captains, and almost all the first men that belonged to Bedford; and also many of those that belonged to Northampton. This year [his sister] Ethelfleda, lady of the Mercians (age 47), with the help of God, before Laminas, conquered the town called Derby [Map], with all that thereto belonged; and there were also slain four of her thanes, that were most dear to her, within the gates.

Note 40. The pirates of Armorica, now Bretagne; so called, because they abode day and night in their ships; from lid, a ship, and wiccian, to watch or abide day and night.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 917. This year, betwixt gang-days and midsummer, went King Edward (age 43) with his army to Stamford [Map], and ordered the town to be fortified on the south side of the river. And all the people that belonged to the northern town submitted to him, and sought him for their lord. It was whilst he was tarrying there, that [his sister] Ethelfleda (age 47) his sister died at Tamworth [Map], twelve nights before midsummer. Then rode he to the borough of Tamworth; and all the population in Mercia turned to him, who before were subject to Ethelfleda (age 47). And the kings in North-Wales, Howel, and Cledauc, and Jothwel, and all the people of North-Wales, sought him for their lord. Then went he thence to Nottingham [Map], and secured that borough, and ordered it to be repaired, and manned both with English and with Danes. And all the population turned to him, that was settled in Mercia, both Danish and English.

Battle of Tempsford

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 917. This year, before Easter, King Edward (age 43) ordered his men to go to the town of Towcester [Map], and to rebuild it. Then again, after that, in the same year, during the gang-days, he ordered the town of Wigmore [Map] to be repaired. The same summer, betwixt Lammas and midsummer, the army broke their parole from Northampton and from Leicester; and went thence northward to Towcester, and fought against the town all day, and thought that they should break into it; but the people that were therein defended it, till more aid came to them; and the enemy then abandoned the town, and went away. Then again, very soon after this, they went out at night for plunder, and came upon men unaware, and seized not a little, both in men and cattle, betwixt Burnham-wood and Aylesbury. At the same time went the army from Huntington and East-Anglia, and constructed that work at Ternsford [Map] which they inhabited and fortified; and abandoned the other at Huntingdon [Map]; and thought that they should thence oft with war and contention recover a good deal of this land. Thence they advanced till they came to Bedford [Map]; where the men who were within came out against them, and fought with them, and put them to flight, and slew a good number of them. Then again, after this, a great army yet collected itself from East-Anglia and from Mercia, and went to the town of Wigmore, Herefordshire [Map]; which they besieged without, and fought against long in the day; and took the cattle about it; but the men defended the town, who were within; and the enemy left the town, and went away. After this, the same summer, a large force collected itself in King Edward's dominions, from the nighest towns that could go thither, and went to Temsford [Map]; and they beset the town, and fought thereon; until they broke into it, and slew the king, and Earl Toglos, and Earl Mann his son, and his brother, and all them that were therein, and who were resolved to defend it; and they took the others, and all that was therein. After this, a great force collected soon in harvest, from Kent, from Surrey, from Essex, and everywhere from the nighest towns; and went to Colchester [Map], and beset the town, and fought thereon till they took it, and slew all the people, and seized all that was therein; except those men who escaped therefrom over the wall. After this again, this same harvest, a great army collected itself from East-Anglia, both of the land-forces and of the pirates, which they had enticed to their assistance, and thought that they should wreak their vengeance. They went to Maldon [Map], and beset the town, and fought thereon, until more aid came to the townsmen from without to help. The enemy then abandoned the town, and went from it. And the men went after, out of the town, and also those that came from without to their aid; and put the army to flight, and slew many hundreds of them, both of the pirates and of the others. Soon after this, the same harvest, went King Edward (age 43) with the West-Saxon army to Passham [Map]; and sat there the while that men fortified the town of Towcester [Map] with a stone wall. And there returned to him Earl Thurferth, and the captains, and all the army that belonged to Northampton northward to the Welland, and sought him for their lord and protector. When this division of the army went home, then went another out, and marched to the town of Huntingdon; and repaired and renewed it, where it was broken down before, by command of King Edward (age 43). And all the people of the country that were left submitted to King Edward (age 43), and sought his peace and protection. After this, the same year, before Martinmas, went King Edward (age 43) with the West-Saxon army to Colchester [Map]; and repaired and renewed the town, where it was broken down before. And much people turned to him, both in East-Anglia and in Essex, that were before under the power of the Danes. And all the army in East-Anglia swore union with him; that they would all that he would, and would protect all that he protected, either by sea or land. And the army that belonged to Cambridge chose him separately for their lord and protector, and confirmed the same with oaths, as he had advised. This year King Edward (age 43) repaired the town of Gladmouth; and the same year King Sihtric slew Neil his brother.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 918. This year, before midsummer, went King Edward to Maldon [Map]; and repaired and fortified the town, ere he departed thence. And the same year went Earl Thurkytel over sea to Frankland with the men who would adhere to him, under the protection and assistance of King Edward (age 44). This year [his sister] Ethelfleda (age 48) got into her power, with God's assistance, in the early part of the year, without loss, the town of Leicester, Leicestershire [Map]; and the greater part of the army that belonged thereto submitted to her. And the Yorkists had also promised and confirmed, some by agreement and some with oaths, that they would be in her interest. But very soon after they had done this, she departed, twelve nights before midsummer, at Tamworth [Map], the eighth year that she was holding the government of the Mercians with right dominion; and her body lieth at Glocester, in the east porch of St. Peter's church [Map]. This year also was the daughter of Ethered, lord of the Mercians, deprived of all authority over the Mercians, and led into Wessex, three weeks before midwinter. Her name was Healfwina.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 918. This year went King Edward (age 44) with an army, late in the harvest, to Thelwall; and ordered the borough to be repaired, and inhabited, and manned. And he ordered another army also from the population of Mercia, the while he sat there to go to Manchester in Northumbria, to repair and to man it. This year died Archbishop Plegmund; and King Reynold won York.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 919. This year, before midsummer, went King Edward (age 45) with an army to Nottingham [Map]; and ordered the town to be repaired on the south side of the river, opposite the other, and the bridge over the Trent betwixt the two towns. Thence he went to Bakewell, Derbyshire [Map] in Peakland; and ordered a fort to be built as near as possible to it, and manned. And the King of Scotland, with all his people, chose him as father and lord; as did Reynold, and the son of Eadulf, and all that dwell in Northumbria, both English and Danish, both Northmen and others; also the king of the Strathclydwallians, and all his people.

Around 919 King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons (age 45) and Eadgifu Kent Queen Anglo Saxons were married. She by marriage Queen Anglo Saxons. He the son of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex and Æalhswith of Mercia Queen Consort of England.

On 07 Oct 919 [his son-in-law] Charles "Simple" III King West Francia (age 40) and [his daughter] Eadgifu Wessex Queen Consort West Francia were married. She by marriage Queen Consort West Francia. She the daughter of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons (age 45) and Aelfflaed Wiltshire Queen Anglo Saxons (age 49). He the son of Louis "Stammerer" II King Aquitaine III King West Francia and Adelaide Paris Queen Consort Aquitaine and West Francia.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 919. This year King Edward (age 45) went with his army to Bedford [Map], before Martinmas, and conquered the town; and almost all the burgesses, who obeyed him before, returned to him; and he sat there four weeks, and ordered the town to be repaired on the south side of the water, ere he departed thence.

In 921 [his son] King Edmund I of England was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons (age 47) and [his wife] Eadgifu Kent Queen Anglo Saxons.

Death of King Edward Exile

On 17 Jul 924 King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons (age 50) died. He was buried in St Oswald's Priory [Map]. His son [his son] King Æthelstan I of England (age 30) succeeded King Anglo Saxons. His son King Æthelstan I of England (age 30) succeeded I King Anglo Saxons.

Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. 17 Jul 924. This year died King Edward (age 50) at Farndon in Mercia; and [his son] Elward (age 22) his son died very soon after this, in Oxford, Oxfordshire [Map]. Their bodies lie at Winchester. And [his son] Athelstan (age 30) was chosen king in Mercia, and consecrated at Kingston [Map]. He gave his [his daughter] sister to Otho (age 11), son of the king of the Old-Saxons (age 48). St. Dunstan (age 15) was now born; and Wulfhelm took to the archbishopric in Canterbury. This year King Athelstan and Sihtric king of the Northumbrians came together at Tamworth, Staffordshire [Map], the sixth day before the calends of February, and Athelstan (age 30) gave away his [his daughter] sister to him.

In 1110 Hyde Abbey was consecrated. The bodies of [his father] King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex, his wife [his mother] Æalhswith of Mercia Queen Consort of England, and their son King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons were carried in state through Winchester to be interred before the high altar. Their royal presence made Hyde Abbey a popular pilgrimage destination.

[his daughter] Edith Wessex was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Ecgwynn Unknown Queen Consort Anglo Saxons.

[his daughter] Eadgyth Wessex Queen Consort Germany was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Aelfflaed Wiltshire Queen Anglo Saxons.

[his daughter] Eadburh Wessex was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Eadgifu Kent Queen Anglo Saxons.

[his daughter] Eadflaed Wessex was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Aelfflaed Wiltshire Queen Anglo Saxons.

[his daughter] Eadhild Wessex was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Aelfflaed Wiltshire Queen Anglo Saxons.

[his daughter] Eadgifu Wessex Queen Consort West Francia was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Aelfflaed Wiltshire Queen Anglo Saxons.

[his son] King Eadred I of England was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Eadgifu Kent Queen Anglo Saxons.

[his daughter] Aelfgifu Wessex was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Aelfflaed Wiltshire Queen Anglo Saxons.

[his son] Edwin the Ætheling was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Aelfflaed Wiltshire Queen Anglo Saxons.

[his daughter] Æthelhild Wessex was born to King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons and Aelfflaed Wiltshire Queen Anglo Saxons.

King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons 874-924 appears on the following Descendants Family Trees:

King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex 849-899

Royal Ancestors of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons 874-924

Kings Wessex: Son of King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex

Royal Descendants of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons 874-924

King Eadred I of England x 1

Eadgyth Wessex Queen Consort Germany x 1

Eadgifu Wessex Queen Consort West Francia x 1

King Æthelstan I of England x 1

King Edmund I of England x 1

Ancestors of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons 874-924

Great x 4 Grandfather: Eoppa Wessex

Great x 3 Grandfather: Eafa Wessex

Great x 2 Grandfather: Ealmund King of Kent

Great x 1 Grandfather: Egbert King Wessex

GrandFather: King Æthelwulf of Wessex

Father: King Alfred "The Great" of Wessex

Great x 1 Grandfather: Oslac

GrandMother: Osburgh Queen Consort Wessex

King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons

GrandFather: Æthelred Mucel Mercia Earldorman Gaini

Mother: Æalhswith of Mercia Queen Consort of England

GrandMother: Eadburh of Mercia