Edward the Elder - Definition and Overview

Edward the Elder

Rank:	7th
Ruled:	October 26, 899-July 17, 924
Predecessor:	Alfred the Great
Date of Birth:	871
Place of Birth:	Wessex, England
Wives:	Egwina, Elfleda, and Edgiva
Buried:	Winchester Cathedral
Date of Death:	July 17, 924
Parents:	Alfred and Ealhswith

Edward the Elder (871? - July 17, 924) was a King of England (899 - 924). He was the son of Alfred the Great and became King of Wessex upon his father's death in 899.

Edward arguably exceeded Alfred's military achievements, restoring the Danelaw to Saxon rule and reigning in Mercia from 918, after the death of his sister, Ethelfleda. He spent his early reign fighting his cousin Aethelwald, son of Ethelred I. He had about eighteen children from his three marriages, and may have had an illegitimate child, too. He died in 924 and was buried at Winchester. The portrait included here is imaginary and was drawn together with portraits of other Anglo-Saxon monarchs by an unknown artist in the 18th century.

His daughter, Eadgifu married King Charles III of France. Her son became King Louis IV of France.