Discover King Edmund I the Magnificent
King Edmund I 'the magnificent' was the elder son of Edward the Elder and his third wife, Edgiva, and king of England from 939-946. Inheriting the expanded realm of England, Edmund initially lost York and Cumbria to the Norse and Scots, but through peace negotiations, baptisms and military skill, he won them back again. Edmund's reign was short, as he was killed in his own hall by an outlaw at the age of 25.
| Born | 921 |
| Parents | Edward the Elder & Edgiva |
| Married | Aelfgifu of Shaftesbury & Aethelflaed of Damerham |
| Children | 2, Eadwig the Fair & Edgar the Peaceful |
| Died | 26 May 946, Pucklechurch, buried at Glastonbury Abbey (25) |
| Reign | 939 - 946 (6) |
| Crowned | 27 October 939, Kingston upon Thames (18) |
| Predecessor | Aethelstan (half-brother) |
| Successor | Eadred (brother) |
| House | Wessex |
Life Events of King Edmund I
921
Edmund is born to Edward the Elder and Edgiva.
937
Edmund is made joint commander of the army, by King Aethelstan, at the Battle of Brunanburh at just 16.
939
Edmund becomes King Edmund I of England, and is probably crowned at Kingston upon Thames.
939
Olaf Guthfrithson is invited back from Dublin, by disillusioned Scandinavians of York. In the autumn, Olaf siezes York with an invasion force. Archbishop Wulfstan backed the new claimant.
940
Olaf Guthfrithson marches south and raids Mercia, sacking Tamworth. King Edmund finally arrives, at besieged the invaders at Leicester. Olaf and Wulfstan escape, and Edmund cannot bring them to battle. After a stand-off, Olaf agrees to baptism but is allowed to keep York and the five boroughs.
941
Olaf Guthfrithson is killed in a raid on Bernicia. His cousin, Olaf Sihtricson arrives to claim his right to York.
941
Edmund's son, Eadwig, is born.
942
Edmund took advantage of Olaf Sihtricson's inexperience, and takes back the five boroughs. Olaf flees to Strathclyde. A Scandinavian vassal is put in charge of York, by Edmund.
943
A confidant Edmund follows Olaf to Northumbria, and Olaf submits and accepts baptism.
943
Edmund's son, Edgar, is born.
944
Edmund's wife, Aelfgifu (Fairies Gift), dies.
944
Olaf Guthfrithson's cousin, Ragnall Guthfrithson arrives in York and deposes Olaf Sihtricson, who had returned to paganism. Ragnall had reached an agreement with Edmund, and like the others, agreed to baptism. But, Edmund saw the balance of power shift, and stormed York, killing Ragnall. Olaf returned to Dublin.
945
Edmund marches north and invades Cumbria, currently ruled by Donald MacDonald of Strathclyde, and kills the king.
945
Edmund hands over Cumbria to its Scottish overlord, Malcolm I, in return for allegiance, recognising the northern border of Anglo-Saxon England. Edmund has fought back and won Aethelstan's England once more.
946
Edmund marries his second wife, Aethelflaed of Damerham.
946
On 28 May, Edmund's servants wrestle with a known thief, Leofa, who was exiled 6 years earlier and was now resisting arrest. Edmund intervenes in the brawl and is accidentally stabbed by Leofa, and dies of his wounds.
Interesting Facts About King Edmund I
Young Commander
During the Battle of Brunanburh, Edmund's half-brother King Aethelstan makes him joint commander at 16 years old. This shows how respected Edmund was by Aethelstan. They went on to win a great victory.Epithet
King Edmund I is known as 'the magnificent'. This epithet is likely to have been given because of the way Edmund won back the lands he lost early in his reign. At such a young age, Edmund showed restraint when negotiations were needed, and military prowess when force was needed. He was able to return England back to the territories he succeeded from Aethelstan.Alliance
Edmund hands Cumbria over to Malcom I of Scotland, in exchange for his allegiance. Edmund realised that by having Scotland as an ally, their combined force would fare better against the Danes.
Battles Fought by King Edmund I
The Battle of Brunanburh
In 937, Aethelstan wins a huge victory at the Battle of Brunanburh, with the help of 16 year old Edmund, heavily defeating an allied force of Scots, Irish, Celts and Danes.
FAQs About the King
Was King Edmund I married?
Yes, twice. His first wife, and mother to their 2 sons, was Aelfgifu of Shaftesbury. His second wife was Aethelflaed of Damerham.How did King Edmund I die?
King Edmund I was murdered by an exiled thief called Leofa, during a scuffle in his own hall. The murder was an accident, as there is no evidence that the thief wanted to kill the king.
Related Video to the King
The Anglo-Saxon Kings of England
