Edwy of England facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edwy All-Fair
King of England
Reign	23 November 955-1 October 959
Predecessor	Edred
Successor	Edgar
Born	940/941 Wessex, England
Died	1 October 959 (aged 18/19) Gloucester, England
Burial	Winchester Cathedral, England
Father	Edmund I
Mother	Saint Elgiva

Edwy, also known as Eadwig, was a young king of England. He was born around 940 or 941 and became king in 955. Edwy was the oldest son of King Edmund I and Saint Elgiva. He took over the throne after his uncle, King Edred, passed away.

Edwy's time as king was quite short, lasting only four years. His reign had some challenges. He faced disagreements with his own family, important nobles called Thanes, and leaders of the Catholic Church, like Saint Dunstan and Archbishop Odo. Edwy died when he was only 18 or 19 years old. After his death, his brother, Edgar, became king and brought the kingdom back together.

Who Was King Edwy?

Edwy All-Fair was a king of England in the 10th century. He was part of the House of Wessex, a very old royal family. Edwy became king when he was quite young, around 14 or 15 years old.

Edwy's Family Background

Edwy was born into a powerful royal family.

• His father was King Edmund I, who ruled England before him.
• His mother was Saint Elgiva.
• His uncle was King Edred, whom he succeeded.
• His younger brother was Edgar, who would later become king.

Edwy's Time as King

Edwy became king in 955. His rule was short, lasting only four years until 959. During this time, he faced several difficulties.

Challenges During His Reign

Being a young king was not easy for Edwy.

• Disagreements with Nobles: Some powerful nobles, called Thanes, did not always agree with his decisions.
• Church Conflicts: He also had problems with important church leaders. Two of the most famous were Saint Dunstan and Archbishop Odo. These conflicts were about how the kingdom should be run and the power of the Church.

The Role of Dunstan and Odo

Saint Dunstan was a very important religious figure at the time. He was an abbot and later an archbishop. He had a lot of influence. Archbishop Odo was also a powerful church leader. They both played a big part in the politics of the kingdom.

Edwy's Death and Successor

Edwy died in 959 when he was still very young, only 18 or 19 years old. The exact cause of his death is not fully known.

After Edwy's death, his younger brother, Edgar, became the new king. Edgar managed to bring the different parts of the kingdom back together.

Images for kids

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  Edwy and Elgiva, A Scene from Saxon History by William Hamilton, 1793

See also

In Spanish: Edwy el Bello para niños