BOOK SALISBURY HOTELS

Edwy the Fair
- Favourite Briton.

Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire
Born in 941
Died on 1st of October 959

Edwy The fair was born in 941 in Wessex, the eldest of two sons born to King Edmund in the House Of Wessex, his mother was Elgiva, Edwy's mother died in 944, a short time after giving birth to her youngest son who was to be known as Edgar The Peaceful, whilst Edwy was still quite young his father was murdered in 946, which resulted in King Edmund's brother Edred ascending to the throne, where he ruled until his death in 955. The Nobles declared that Edwy should succeed King Edred and ascend to the throne, he was just sixteen years of age when this occurred on 23rd November 955, his Coronation took place the following year at Kingston-Upon-Thames on 26th January 956. It was just after his ceremony that he was angered by Dunstan, who had objected strongly because Edwy had left the celebrations to spend time with his foster mother and her daughter Aelfgifu, incensed and angry, an argument escalated between Edwy and Dunstan, which ultimately resulted in Dunstan the Abbot of Glastonbury being exiled, he fled to Flanders. Edwy married Aelfgifu, much to the consternation of Odo, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury who stated that they were too closely related, the marriage was finally annulled in 958.

Edwy granted land and wealth disproportionately, favouring Wessex, this angered the Nobles of Mercia and Northumbria who declared that they choose Edwy's brother Edgar, as their ruler. Edwy was defeated in the Battle of Gloucester, and in order to evade Civil War, the Nobles decided to divide the kingdom, at the border of the Thames, with Edwy retaining the kingdom of Wessex and Kent, and Edgar ruling the North. Edwy died before his twentieth year whilst in Gloucester in October 959, and was later buried at Winchester Cathedral. He was succeeded by his brother Edgar The Peaceful when he was sixteen years of age, who then ruled the whole of England.

More famous Britons here

Contributors: Do you have a site related to Edwy the Fair?
Supply some content for this page and we will gladly add a link to your site. Email here.

7265 views since 4th November 2008

Brit Quote:
Difficulties mastered are opportunities won. - Winston Churchill
More Quotes

On this day:
Battle of Berwick - 1296, Fire Claims 19 Glasgow Firefighters - 1960
More dates from British history

click here to view all the British counties

County Pages