Edward the Elder Flashcards
Themes for “what was the most important dynastic challenge that Edward faced?”
His sister Aethelflead
His cousin Aethelwold
Gaining support in Wessex/Securing an heir
Why was his sister Aethelflead considered a threat to Edward?
Alfred’s eldest child
Married to Aethelred of Mercia in 886 for an alliance - no guarantee this would last
Charters signed by Aethelflead give no evidence of overlordship
The Annals of Ulster depict Aethelflead as being strong and independent and sources from Wales and Ireland depict her as being strong separate from her husband
Aethelflead wished to move relics from a church in Gloucester, to do this she did not ask Edward rather she went directly to the pope for permission - she was recognised as monarch internationally
Long term problem - Edward could not get rid of her as she was blood kin
Edward was reliant on Aethelflead for military involvement in Mercia
Why might Aethelflead not have been a threat to Edward?
There is no evidence to suggest Edward and Aethelflead ever had a bad relationship
Coins minted in Mercia had Edward’s face on it, not hers
910 charters hint that Mercian leaders acknowledged Edward as their “overlord”
Why was Aethelwold a threat to Edward?
Massive immediate short term threat
Could not kill him - he was blood kin
Had significant support in Wessex - had control of Christchurch and Windborne
Some viewed him as the true heir despite being disinherited in 871
At this point Edward had not technically been crowned so technically the throne was up for grabs
Edward drove Aethelwold out of Bradbury Rings and Aethelwold allied with the vikings - they had the potential to provide him with a massive military threat/use him as a puppet king
Aethelwold attacks Essex with a fleet of ships in 903 - dies in a raid after Edward had withdrawn his men
Why might Aethelwold not have been a threat to Edward?
Allying with the Vikings would have lost Aethelwold a huge mount of support in Wessex
Easily put down - only served as a temporary threat
Why did gaining support in Wessex/needing to secure an heir pose a threat to Edward?
In order to solidify Edward’s claim to the throne, he needed an heir
Edward married 3 times. Edward’s first wife Ecqwynn was named as “consort” in sources meaning Aethelstan was considered illegitimate
Edward’s second wife Aethelfleadd was related by marriage to Aethelwold, “kin is kin” she was sent to a convent
Third wife Eadgifu had relations to Kentish nobility - came too late by this point and Edward died soon after marriage
Why did gaining support in Wessex/needing to secure an heir NOT pose a threat to Edward?
He already had 2 children by the time he came to the throne - age 16 he fathered Aethelstan and Edith, twins = considered lucky
Edward over-solved his problem, had 13 children - 5 sons
First marriage allowed Edward to make religious connections as she was a relative of St Dunstan
Final marriage allowed him to make connections with Kentish nobility
Themes to use for Edward’s relationship with the Scottish and Welsh
Viking Fear - Scotland and Wales allied with Edward out of fear of the vikings/Raegnaud
Done for Respect - they respected him
Done for Friendship
Why might Viking fear have been a contributor to Edward’s relationship with the Scottish and Welsh?
The continuous viking invasion and settlement was a threat to English, Scottish and Welsh alike
The vikings and Scots fought at Corbridge in 918 and the Annals of Ulster depict this as a devastating battle for Scotland
An alliance in the face of viking adversity would be advantageous - especially with the charismatic Raegnaud leading them
The vikings held considerable power in the 5 boroughs and were committed to staying now - had begun to integrate
Argument that the submission was really an alliance of convenience against a common enemy
Why might Viking fear NOT have been a contributor to Edward’s relationship with the Scottish and Welsh?
Context based arguments are problematic - alliances between Saxons and vikings have been made before (Aethelwold)
Why might the Scots and Welsh have allied with Edward out of respect?
When the Scots chose to ally with Edward in 920 - the ASC uses the phrase “chose him as lord”, this indicates they chose to have Edward rule
It also implies straightforward submission and authority - a clear acknowledgement of Edward’s authority over all his territory
Edward = son of Alfred the Great = respect?
Why might the Scots and Welsh NOT have allied with Edward out of respect?
The phrase “chose him as lord” is unclear - doesn’t guarantee willing subservience or mean they are handing over all their authority
The acknowledgement of each other’s territory could also indicate that they were trying to discuss the relationship between their countries in the wake of political and economic changes in the south
Why would have the Welsh and Scots allied with Edward for friendship?
The Welsh submission likely happened in 918 - could have been a gesture of friendship as Alfred had already made attempts to improve his relationship with the Welsh - Asser
In 914, the Bishop of Landaff was captured by the Vikings and Edward paid the ransom to free him
Edward, similarly to Alfred, offered to protect the Welsh from the danes
Why might the Welsh and Scots not have allied with Edward for friendship?
The year of submission is unclear which suggests it may be shaky
The Welsh may have been spurred into an alliance due to fear of the Mercians/Danes
Themes for reasons for Edward and Aethelflead’s success in conquering the Danelaw
Burhs
Military Force
Inclusion/integration of the vikings
