Changes

'''Edgar''' (943-975), king of [[England]] (959-975), the younger brother of [[Edwy the Fair|Edwy]] had been chosen king in [[Mercia]] and [[Northumbria]] in 957. On Edwy’s death, and the accession of Edgar to the throne of [[Wessex]], the [[Anglo-Saxon]] kingdoms were united under one ruler. Edgar immediately recalled [[St. Dunstan]] who had lived in exile during his brother’s reign and, two years later, appointed him [[Archbishop of Canterbury]].

'''Edgar''' (943-975), king of [[England]] (959-975), the younger brother of [[Edwy the Fair|Edwy]] had been chosen king in [[Mercia]] and [[Northumbria]] in 957. On Edwy’s death, and the accession of Edgar to the throne of [[Wessex]], the [[Anglo-Saxon]] kingdoms were united under one ruler. Edgar immediately recalled [[St. Dunstan]] who had lived in exile during his brother’s reign and, two years later, appointed him [[Archbishop of Canterbury]].

Edgar recognised his [[Christian]] [[Danish]] subjects, and accepted the validity of their customs and language in those parts where they had settled. This decision, as much as any other single act has given the English language a good part of its unique variety as the two languages integrated. (It is of interest that his one “misdeed”, according to the [[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]r, is this acceptance of “alien customs and heathen practices”.)

Edgar recognised his [[Christian]] [[Danish]] subjects, and accepted the validity of their customs and language in those parts where they had settled. This decision, as much as any other single act has given the English language a good part of its unique variety as the two languages integrated. (It is of interest that his one “misdeed”, according to the [[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]r, is this acceptance of “alien customs and heathen practices”.)

In 973, in the city of [[Bath]], after 14 years as ruler, Edgar was ceremoniously crowned in a public event containing both ecclesiastical and lay elements, some of which are precedents for the modern ceremony.. As much as anything it had imperialist implications, and the ceremonial act was followed by the show of force – a naval expedition to [[Chester]] where it has been said that he was rowed to and from the royal palace on the [[River Dee ]]by 6 (or 8 - or the story itself may be apocryphal) British kings accepting his overlordship.

In 973, in the city of [[Bath]], after 14 years as ruler, Edgar was ceremoniously crowned in a public event containing both ecclesiastical and lay elements, some of which are precedents for the modern ceremony.. As much as anything it had imperialist implications, and the ceremonial act was followed by the show of force – a naval expedition to [[Chester]] where it has been said that he was rowed to and from the royal palace on the [[River Dee]] by 6 (or 8 - or the story itself may be apocryphal) British kings accepting his overlordship.

He died suddenly in 975, leaving a strong and united England. History has been kind to Edgar. Ruling at a time of relative peace (there are two one-line references in the Chronicle to his forces “ravaging” parts of his realm which may indicate rebellion or some sort of incursion, but that is all) he was able to oversee social and fiscal reforms that had a lasting effect. Dunstan’s reforms rekindled the monastic tradition, strengthened the church and are a milestone in the history of the English language. Later accounts of his reign marvel at its lack of strife and refer to him as “the peaceable”.

He died suddenly in 975, leaving a strong and united England. History has been kind to Edgar. Ruling at a time of relative peace (there are two one-line references in the Chronicle to his forces “ravaging” parts of his realm which may indicate rebellion or some sort of incursion, but that is all) he was able to oversee social and fiscal reforms that had a lasting effect. Dunstan’s reforms rekindled the monastic tradition, strengthened the church and are a milestone in the history of the English language. Later accounts of his reign marvel at its lack of strife and refer to him as “the peaceable”.