King Edgar Family Tree (943-975)

 

 

 King Edgar Family Tree showing:

parents
siblings
partners 
children 

• King
  Edmund I
  921 – 946 Aelfgifu of
  Shaftesbury
  d. 944
  • King Eadwig
    941 – 959
  • 1. Aethelflaed
    the Fair
    d. 962 KING
    EDGAR
    943 – 975 2. Aelfthryth
    of Devon
    c945 – 1000
    • 1. King Edward
      the Martyr
      962 – 978
    • 2. Edmund
      965 – 972
    • 2. King Aethelred
      the Unready
      966 – 1016

 

Short Biography

Early Years

Edgar, known as ‘The Peaceful’ was born around 943 the youngest son of King Edmund I and Aelfgifu of Shaftesbury. His elder brother, Eadwig had been born in 941.

In 946, Edgar’s father, was murdered by Leofa a thief who had been exiled. Edgar’s elder brother, Eadwig, was considered too young to take the throne so his uncle Eadred took the throne. Edgar and Eadwig were cared for by the Nobleman Aethelstan and his wife and were educated by Aethelwald, the Abbot of Abingdon.

On 23rd November 955, King Eadred died and Eadwig became King. However, he did not behave like a king and upset the nobles and church elders. The lords of Mercia and Northumbria refused to accept Eadwig as King acknowledged Edgar as their ruler.

King of England

When Eadwig died in 959, Edgar succeeded to become King. He earned the nickname ‘the Peaceful’ because he brought peace and security to the kingdom. Edgar set about removing his brother’s favourites. He chose the Abbot Dunstan to be his adviser and created him Archbishop of Canterbury.

Around 960 King Edgar married Aethelflaed the Fair, daughter of Ealdorman Ordmaer of East Anglia. The couple’s son, Edward, was born in 962. It is believed that Aethelflaed died the same year, possibly in childbirth. In 964 Edgar married Aelfthryth of Devon and they had two children – Edmund, born in 965 and Aethelred born in 966.

King Edgar died on 8th July 975 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward.

 

First published 2017; updated and republished Apr 14 2022 @ 12:46 pm – Updated – Feb 9, 2024 @ 11:54 am