Edward the Elder: 899-924

Edward was the eldest son of Alfred the Great. He came to the throne in 900AD with some difficulty, only after defeating his cousin, Æthelwald, who attempted to incite a rebellion against his succession. Æthelwald was driven back to Northumbria, where the Danes of York declared him king. He later encouraged uprisings amongst the Danes of East Anglia, until he was defeated by Edward and killed at the Battle of Holme.

Edward arguably enjoyed greater military success than his father. After further problems with the Northumbrian Danes, Edward finally broke them in 910AD at the Battle of Tettenhall. From thenceforward, they were confined to their territories north of the Humber. Edward also extended his control into Mercia, as well as securing territories around Essex and East Anglia. Eventually, he is said to have held all of England south of the Humber, as well as having a number of Welsh princes and Constantine II of Scotland acknowledge his lordship.

Edward died in 924AD, and was buried at the minster that he had founded at Winchester.

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