King Edgar ('the Peaceful') was the second son of Edmund I and Aelfgifu of Shaftesbury, and king of England from 959-975 and of Mercia from 957-959. An excellent ruler, Edgar achieved peace, stability and prosperity across his kingdom, and faced no invasions from the Vikings. He reformed the church, brought in a new currency and created the counties we know today. But there was a darker side to him, and his affections for women brought out the worst of it.