Book 2, Chapter 7, Alfred’s Children from 901 AD to 955 – Alfred’s Children
Being thus rid of his competitor, King Edward chiefly addressed himself to his design of annexing Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria to his own kingdom. In Mercia, though the Danes were numerous, they were fewer than the Anglo Saxons, and were held in check by the energy of Ethelfleda, to whom Alfred had assigned the district on her marriage, and who had contrived to enlarge her boundaries by successful attacks upon the Welsh and upon the northern Danes. In East Anglia and in Northumbria, the subjection paid to Alfred was nominal rather than real, but they remained quiet, so as not to provoke further aggressions from one whom they dreaded.
Edward’s ambition to subdue them was stimulated by their help of his rival Ethelwald, and he was greatly assisted in his projects by the fact that the Danes in the north, true to their old traditions and habits, were not subject to one king, but gave allegiance to a number of district chiefs. In concert with his sister Ethelfleda, he successfully attacked East Anglia and Northumbria, winning numerous battles, taking many prisoners, and much spoil, and securing the ground by the erection of forts at Witham, Hertford, Warwick, Stafford, Tamworth , Bridgnorth , Towcester, Buckingham, and other places. With such skill and promptitude did Edward carry out this policy that by the year 922, he had secured, more truly than even his father had done, the allegiance of the East Anglicans and Northumbrians, so that according to the Saxon Chronicle, they acknowledged him for their “lord and protector.”
Chapter 7, Alfred’s Children
The Succession Disputed by Ethelwald
Partial Annexation of East Anglia and Northumbria
Chapter 7, Athelstan
Athelstan, the First Monarch of England
Conflicts with the Anglo-Danes
The Anglo-Danes Revolt, and are Subdued
Chapter 7, Renown of Athelstan
Chapter 7, Edmund
Chapter 7, Edred
Categories: Book 2
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