1 NOTE Edgar was made King of Mercia and Northumbria in 957 andsucceed
to the throne of Wessex at his brother, Eadwig's, death in 959.With thi
s, Edgar was King of Mercia, Northumbria and Wessex(the three most powerf
ul kingdoms in England at that time),simultaneously and could be consider
ed the first ruler of aUnited England. Some of his predecessors were Kin
gs of AllEngland by virtue of being King of Wessex and, at the same time,
enjoying a temporary military ascendancy over the otherkingdoms.
He was formally crowned in 973 and received the ceremonialsubmission of a
ll the other kings in Britain. He wiselyrecalled (St.) Dunstan from exi
le and made him Archbishop ofCanterbury and his closest personal adviso
r. His reign wasprosperous and peaceful and he is generally credited wi
th therevival of the English church.
Reigned 959-975. The first King of a united England. He allowedhis Danish
subjects to retain Danish laws. Edgar promoted a monasticrevival and
encouraged trade by reforming the currency. He improved defenceby organis
ing
coastal naval patrols and a system for manning warships.
Although he suceeded on 1st October 959, he was not crowneduntil 973 beca
use
St Dunstan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, disaproved of his wayof life.
1 NOTE Edgar was made King of Mercia and Northumbria in 957 and succeed
to the throne of Wessex at his brother, Eadwig's, death in 959.With thi
s, Edgar was King of Mercia, Northumbria and Wessex(the three most powerf
ul kingdoms in England at that time),simultaneously and could be consider
ed the first ruler of aUnited England. Some of his predecessors were Kin
gs of AllEngland by virtue of being King of Wessex and, at the same time,
enjoying a temporary military ascendancy over the otherkingdoms.
He was formally crowned in 973 and received the ceremonialsubmission of a
ll the other kings in Britain. He wiselyrecalled (St.) Dunstan from exi
le and made him Archbishop ofCanterbury and his closest personal adviso
r. His reign wasprosperous and peaceful and he is generally credited wi
th therevival of the English church.
Reigned 959-975. The first King of a united England. He allowedhis Danish
subjects to retain Danish laws. Edgar promoted a monasticrevival and
encouraged trade by reforming the currency. He improved defenceby organis
ing
coastal naval patrols and a system for manning warships.
Although he suceeded on 1st October 959, he was not crowneduntil 973 beca
use
St Dunstan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, disaproved of his wayof life.
1 NOTE Edgar was made King of Mercia and Northumbria in 957 and succeed
to the throne of Wessex at his brother, Eadwig's, death in 959.With thi
s, Edgar was King of Mercia, Northumbria and Wessex(the three most powerf
ul kingdoms in England at that time),simultaneously and could be consider
ed the first ruler of aUnited England. Some of his predecessors were Kin
gs of AllEngland by virtue of being King of Wessex and, at the same time,
enjoying a temporary military ascendancy over the otherkingdoms.
He was formally crowned in 973 and received the ceremonialsubmission of a
ll the other kings in Britain. He wiselyrecalled (St.) Dunstan from exi
le and made him Archbishop ofCanterbury and his closest personal adviso
r. His reign wasprosperous and peaceful and he is generally credited wi
th therevival of the English church.
Reigned 959-975. The first King of a united England. He allowedhis Danish
subjects to retain Danish laws. Edgar promoted a monasticrevival and
encouraged trade by reforming the currency. He improved defenceby organis
ing
coastal naval patrols and a system for manning warships.
Although he suceeded on 1st October 959, he was not crowneduntil 973 beca
use
St Dunstan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, disaproved of his wayof life.
1 NOTE Edgar was made King of Mercia and Northumbria in 957 and succeed
to the throne of Wessex at his brother, Eadwig's,