Edgar the Atheling facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Edgar II Ætheling
Edgar, from an illuminated tree of the family of Edmund Ironside
King of England (disputed)
Reign	15 October – 10 December 1066
Predecessor	Harold II
Successor	William I
Born	c 1051 Hungary
Died	1126 (aged 74–75) unknown
House	House of Wessex
Father	Edward of England
Mother	Agatha

Edgar the Ætheling (born around 1051, died around 1126) was a young prince who hoped to become King of England in 1066. He was a grandson of King Edmund Ironside. Many English people wanted Edgar to be king. This was because he was English and came from the old royal family.

Edgar was born in Hungary. His father, Edward the Exile, lived there because he had been sent away from England. When Edgar was about five years old, his father returned to England. This was after the time when Vikings had ruled parts of England. Sadly, Edgar’s father died soon after coming back. The reasons for his death are not fully known.

Edgar's Claim to the Throne

Edward the Confessor, the king of England, had no children. He had promised the throne to his nephew, Edward the Exile. This was Edgar's father. In 1057, the king's helpers found Edward the Exile and his family in Hungary. They came back to England. But Edward died only a few days after their arrival.

When King Edward the Confessor died in 1066, Edgar was only about 15 years old. He was very young and did not have much experience. He also did not have a lot of money or an army. England was expecting attacks from Norway and Normandy. Because of this, Edgar was not seen as a good choice for king.

How Kings Were Chosen

In Anglo-Saxon England, kings were chosen by a group of wise leaders. This group was called the Witenagemot (or Witan). A king could suggest who should take over after him. But the Witan made the final decision.

Edgar was an Ætheling, which meant he was a prince of the royal family. However, this did not automatically make him the next king. The Witan first chose King Edward's brother-in-law, Harold Godwinson. Harold was quickly crowned king at Westminster Abbey on the same day Edward the Confessor was buried.

The Norman Invasion

About nine months later, on October 14, 1066, King Harold was killed. This happened at the Battle of Hastings. After the battle, Duke William of Normandy rested his army. Then he marched towards London.

During this time, the English leaders in London chose Edgar as king. They hoped to gather a new army to fight the Normans. They thought a king from the old royal family could unite England. But William and his army took control of England before Edgar could be crowned. William met with the English leaders, including Edgar, at Berkhamsted. There, Edgar and others promised to be loyal to William. They also gave him hostages, which were like promises that they would obey.

Life After the Invasion

About six months after William took control, he went back to Normandy. He took Edgar and other important English people with him. This made it easier for his leaders who stayed in England. At the end of 1067, William brought Edgar back to England.

In the summer of 1068, Edgar left England with his mother and sisters. They went to Scotland. His sister, Margaret, married King Malcolm III of Scotland. Edgar joined Malcolm in several fights against William, who was now King of England.

Later in his life, Edgar also took part in the Crusades. These were religious wars fought in the Middle East. Edgar never married and did not have any children. He lived until around 1126, which means he was about 75 years old. Edgar was the last male member of the old Anglo-Saxon royal family.

See also

In Spanish: Edgar Atheling para niños