Kings and Queens
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Kings and Queens in Politics
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From Celtic to Modern Times
The great and not so great RULERS
Discover the stories of the Monarchs
Choose your Monarch
The great and not so great RULERS
Eadwig, also spelled Ædwig, was a King of England in the 10th century. He ruled from 955 to 959 and was known as "Eadwig the Fair" or "Eadwig the All-Fair." He was the son of King Edmund I and was only 18 years old when he became king. Eadwig's reign was marked by conflicts with the Church and with his own nobles, which ultimately led to his being deposed in 959. Not much is known about his personal life, and his rule is considered relatively insignificant in the history of England.
Eadwig's reign was marked by conflicts with the Church and with his own nobles.
Soon after his coronation, he married a noblewoman named Ælfgifu, which caused a rift with the Church. The marriage was considered illegitimate by the Church because Eadwig was already engaged to another woman, and Ælfgifu was not of noble birth. This led to a dispute between the king and the bishops, with the bishops refusing to crown Eadwig's queen.
Eadwig also had conflicts with his own nobles. He was accused of showing favoritism to his friends and relatives, and of neglecting the interests of the kingdom. This led to a rebellion in 957, led by Eadwig's own brother, Edgar. The rebellion was successful, and Eadwig was forced to divide the kingdom, with Edgar ruling in the north and Eadwig in the south.
Eadwig's rule is considered relatively insignificant in the history of England. He was deposed in 959, and his brother Edgar became king. Eadwig died in 959, and his reign is not known to have had a significant impact on the political or cultural development of the kingdom.
Reference: Article by Greg Scott (Staff Historian), 2024
