Book 2, Chapter 9, Edward 975 AD to 1016 AD – Edward the Martyr
The late king left two sons, one by each of his wives, and in compliance with Edgar’s will, and according to custom and the voice of the witan, the elder, named Edward, should have succeeded to the throne. His stepmother, Elfrida, was a bold, unscrupulous woman, who had designs for her own son Ethelred, a child of seven years of age, hoping thereby to attain the regency for herself. In this she was aided by the state of parties at the time, and especially by the condition of affairs in the church. The great nobles viewed with suspicion the growing power of Dunstan and the monks, and some of them, like Alfred, the influential Ealdorman of Mercia, sided with the seculars and expelled the monks, but others took the opposite side, and with these Elfrida joined herself.
The archbishop acted with decision and promptitude, and at once proceeded to the ceremony of crowning the young prince Edward, who was then not more than fourteen years of age. So far as is known, the disposition of the youthful king was most amiable and gentle, but the actual ruler was Dunstan, who carried his measures with a high hand, enforcing with extreme severity the Benedictine rule on all the monasteries. Edward’s reign was short and uneventful; lasting only four years, but his tragic end has invested his name with interest.
Chapter 9, Edward the Martyr
Edward, Commonly Styled “the Martyr”
Chapter 9, Ethelred
Ethelred’s Marriage with Emma of Normandy
Chapter 9, Sweyn’s Revenge
Chapter 9, Thurkill Ravages England
Sweyn prepares for the Conquest of England
Sweyn Dies and’ is Followed by Canute
Chapter 9, Edmund Ironside
Divisions and Treachery among the English
Edmund Ironside Proclaimed King
Successive Battles with Canute
Categories: Book 2
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