Chapter 3 - Edward the Elder

Question 1

How effectively did Edward deal with dynastic issues ?

Answer 1

Aethelwold believed he had claim to the throne-he took a church in Dorset + a nun hostage

Edward set camp near him to place pressure . His army’s threat made Aethelwulf flee to the Vikings of Northumbria

Question 2

Why did Aethelwold’s alliance with the Vikings make issues for Edward in England ?

Answer 2

Could mean that the V could use Aethelwold as a puppet leader to manipulate the north as the V launched southern raids

V thought that as he had so support , it would be a good idea to combine forces - More threats to Edward’s army

Aethelwold had more resources he could use to attack Wessex / Aethelwold convinced EA Vikings to break their truce against E

Question 3

What was the result of Aethelwolds renewed offensive in 903 ?

Answer 3

Edward launched raids in Cambridgeshire

Some of Edwards forces disobeyed orders to go back - coincidentally the army had surrounded the Kentish army

The Aethelwold faced many deaths of his senior officials - Aethelwold died as well in this battle

Question 4

When did the threat of viking settlement occur for Edward ?

Answer 4

890 onwards shows how they posed more of a threat

Undermined the souths attempt to preserve an Angolo Saxon England

903 -10 . nothing happened

Ed launched raids in Northumbria to test how capable the vikings were

Question 5

What are the three sources about the amount of Scandinavians in England ?

Answer 5

Place names
Material Culture
Genetics

Question 6

How did place names show Scandinavian settlement ?

Answer 6

Names based on AS and Scan Names

Vikings lived in the north of England and south Scotland

Scandinavians settled in areas with fertile soil - productive for crops

Question 7

How did material culture show us about Scandinavian settlement ?

Answer 7

Physical items such as pots pans and utensils

Sculptures / patterns on grave stones

Graves had ornaments + symbols of high social status + rune stones

Question 8

How does Genetics show us about Scandinavian settlement ?

Answer 8

Shows us large level of saxon migration

Integration posed a threat on England

Patterns of integration spread south allowing V to gain a foothold in England

This resulted in Mercia + Wessex joining forces

Question 9

What is an argument against the fact that the Scandinavians did not pose any threat to England ?

Answer 9

903 - 910 No indication of tensions

Levels of peace were met via buying and selling of land to Scandinavians

Edward raided them , they did not raid him

Question 10

What are some arguments in agreement to the fact that Scandinavia posed a threat to Edward ?

Answer 10

Mass migration increased the chance of a Danelaw invasion - posing a threat to E’s reign

Previous AS culture was shifting to Scandinavian culture

Edward had to launch raids into Northumbria to deter the vikings from invading Wessex

Question 11

What was the Danelaw like at the time of Edward ?

Answer 11

The old treaty between Alfred + Guthrum had been neglected due to Edwards exploits

Many areas of the Danelaw had small villages that didn’t cooperate

By the end of the reign ,it is unclear to see how much of the Danelaw actually existed

Question 12

How were burhs created and what impact did they have ?

Answer 12

Nearly all campaigns that followed resulted in the creation of a burh

Burhs would make Vikings submit + their followers

E.g
Hertford rejected EA Vikings
NW areas of mercia against irish

Question 13

How did Edward the Elder gain the submission of the Welsh Kings ?

Answer 13

It was considered an extension of their friendship as he wanted to improve the relations with the vikings

Mercians were harsh on the welsh - submission may have been on the desire to maintain peace instead

Question 14

How far did Edward gain the submission of the Scottish king ?

Answer 14

” The meeting “ seen as a plan to look out for eachother

Vikings were a threat to Scotland , Wales and England . Working together is the best way to survive

The chronicle says that they chose him - suggesting that there was a submission - this would have been thought over

Question 15

How reliable is the Anglo Saxon chronicle as evidence about the submission of the Welsh + Scottish kings ?

Answer 15

Parker extract from the chronicle is deemed as propaganda - however it doesn’t mean it lacks validity

Parker version talks about the political wants and needs of Edward . Submission of kings shows how good E was

Question 16

To what extent did the Norwegians from Ireland ( raegnald ) pose a threat to Edward ?

Answer 16

When the Vikings invaded Ireland they took Dublin . Irish armies took them back and forced the vikings over to England

Possiblities of an alliance between all variants of vikings grew .

Threat to edward thus increased