Edmund I
Edmund I(921-946), king of England (939-946), was eighteen when he succeeded his half-brother, Athelstan. He came to the throne at a time of renewed trouble in the north with the Irish Viking Olaf Guthfrithsson invading England and forcing Edmund to a peace agreement ceding control of York. However, he was able to take back control of the âfive boroughsâ (Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, Derby and Stamford) from Olafâs successor in 942 when the Danish inhabitants of those regions âindicatedâ their preference for his rule.
| Edmund I | |
King of England
| |
| In office October 27, 939 â May 26, 946 | |
| Preceded by | Athelstan |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Edred |
| Born | 921[1] |
| Died | May 26, 946 Gloucestershire, England |
From his ability as a war commander â he had enormous prestige from his actions as a 15 year old with Athelstan at the Battle of Brunanburh â and evidence of lawmaking as king, it can be said that he had the potential to be a great ruler. He died when 24, knifed whilst helping to subdue a criminal at a banquet. He was succeeded by his brother, Edred.
References
âAnglo-Saxon Chronicleâ trans Anne Savage