King Eadwig of England Timeline 941-959

King Eadwig of England was born to King Edmund and his wife Aelfgifu

Eadwig’s brother Edgar, was born to Edmund and Aelfgifu

King Edmund made an alliance with King Olaf of York.

Eadwig’s father, King Edmund took Northumbria from the Vikings

King Olaf of York was unable to retain his throne and so left England for Ireland where he became King of Dublin.

Eadwig’s father, King Edmund conquered Strathclyde and formed an alliance with Malcolm I of Scotland.

King Edmund I was murdered in Pucklechurch by Leofa, a thief who had been exiled by Edmund. Eadwig, aged 5 years, was considered too young to become King so his uncle Eadred succeeded to the throne.

Eadwig and his brother Edgar were cared for by the nobleman Aethelstan and his wife Aelfwynne. Aethelstan was nicknamed half-king due to the influence he had on Eadwig and his brother.

Eadwig’s uncle, Eadred, was crowned King of England by Archbishop Oda of Canterbury at Kingston upon Thames.

Eadwig was educated by Aethelwald, Abbot of Abingdon, a friend of Dunstan.

The Viking chieftan, Eric Bloodaxe, took Northumbria.

King Eadred managed to re-take Northumbria.

The former ruler of York, Olaf Sihtricson, returned to the North of England and was accepted as ruler of Northumbria.

The Viking, Eric Bloodaxe, returned and took Northumbria.

King Eadred captured and imprisoned Archbishop Wulfstan of York who had helped the Vikings.

Eric Bloodaxe, was sent out of Northumbria and Eadred took control of the county again.

King Eadred died from a digestive disorder at the age of 32 years. Eadwig became King at the age of 14 years. He was nicknamed ‘All Fair’ due to his good looks.

King Eadwig upset Dunstan, abbot of Glastonbury, and  a large number of nobles when he disappeared during his coronation feast. He was found in a compromising position with a young woman and her mother. Legend states that Dunstan had to drag him back to the coronation feast setting up a feud between the two that would last until Eadwig’s death.

King Eadwig married Aelfgifu, the young woman he was with on the day of his coronation.

Eadwig removed many experienced noblemen from his counsel.

The abbot Dunstan was exiled or exiled himself to Flanders.

England was divided when Mercia and Northumbria refused to accept Eadwig’s rule. King Eadwig retained rule of Wessex while his brother Edgar ruled Mercia and Northumbria. Despite the division Eadwig continued to be referred to as King of the English.

The marriage of Eadwig and Aelfgifu was dissolved by Archbishop Oda of Canterbury on the grounds that they were too closely related.

Archbishop Oda of Canterbury died. Eadwig appointed Aelfsige of Winchester as the new  Archbishop of Canterbury.

King Eadwig appointed Byrhthelm, the Bishop of Wells as Archbishop of Canterbury after Aelfsige died on his way to Rome.

King Eadwig died aged 18 years. The cause of his death is not known. He was succeeded by his brother Edgar.