961 - 984 (23 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 2
2. | Edgar the Peaciful -, King of the English was born in 944 in Wessex, England (son of Edmund I the Magnificent -, King of the English and Saint Ælfgifu of Shaftesbury -); died on 8 Jul 975 in Winchester, Wessex, England; was buried in Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury. Notes:
Biography:
His reign was from 1 October 959 through 8 July 975.
It was Edgar's reign that was peaceful, not necessarily Edgar. While his older brother was still king, Edgar seized the Kingdoms of Northumbria and Mercia and when his brother died young, Edgar became king. England was at the height of its power under the house of Wessex. There were few external threats and no internal ones.
In 973, 14 years after he became king, Edgar arranged for a lavish coronation, more so than any in the past and is still used as the model for coronation ceremonies today. As part of the ceremony, six of the other kings of Britain, including the King of Scots and the King of Strathclyde pledged their allegiance to Edgar. As part of the coronation, his new wife Ælfthryth was the first queen to be officially crowned.
After Edgar, the power of the House of Wessex started to wane and none of the pre-Norman kings took the throne uncontested.
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Generation: 3
4. | Edmund I the Magnificent -, King of the English was born in 921 in Wessex, England (son of Edward I the Elder -, King of the English and Eadgifu of Kent -, Queen Consort of England); died on 26 May 946 in Pucklechurch, Wessex; was buried in Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury. Notes:
Biography:
He was King from 27 October 939 through 26 May 946.
Edmund was also known as the Deed-doer, the Just, or the Magnificent. He followed his half brother to the throne and preceded his younger brother. He reigned for only seven years until his death. Shortly after taking the throne he lost much of northern England to King Olaf III Guthfrithson. After Olaf's death in 942, Edmund re-took the territory. In 945 he conquered Strathclyde in what is now southern Scotland. Instead of keeping it he ceded it to King Malcolm I of Scotland in exchange for a mutual defense treaty.
On May 26, 946 during a feast on St Augustine's Mass Day, Edmund spotted exiled thief Leofa in the crowd. When Edmund challenged him, they both ended up dead.
Edmund married Saint Ælfgifu of Shaftesbury - in 940. Ælfgifu (daughter of Wynflæd -) died in 944. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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5. | Saint Ælfgifu of Shaftesbury - (daughter of Wynflæd -); died in 944. Notes:
Biography:
Ælfgifu seems to have been unspectacular in life. Like her mother she was associated with nunnery at Shartesbury Abbey. She was not likely ever elevated to the level of queen even though two of her sons went on to be king. Her title was king's concubine (concubine regis). She at or shortly after the time of Edgar's birth.
However, shortly after her death she was made a saint. Many people were cured of their afflictions at her tomb and her powers became famous. Someone in the 970s wrote of a blind man who had traveled to Shaftesbury because “the venerable St Ælfgifu […] at whose tomb many bodies of sick person receive medication through the omnipotence of God”. Her grandson, King and Saint Edward the Martyr who was also buried there did not have nearly as strong a following. In the 12th century William of Malmesbury wrote (in Latin):
For some years she suffered from illness
In his clemency with countless miracles.
If a blind man or a deaf worship at her tomb,
They are restored to health and prove the saint's merits.
He who went there lame comes home firm of step,
The madman returns sane, rich in good sense.
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Generation: 4
9. | Eadgifu of Kent -, Queen Consort of England (daughter of Sigehelm -, Ealdorman of Kent); died on 25 Aug 968. Notes:
Biography:
She was Queen Consort from 919 to 924.
Eadgifu was Edward's third wife and mother of the second and third of Edward's three sons who became king and mother of a daughter who became a saint. Eadgifu outlived all three of her children.
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11. | Wynflæd - Notes:
Biography:
She was the mother of Ælfgifu of Shaftesbury. All we know of her was that she was associated with Shaftesbury Abbey like her daughter.
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