Edred of England facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eadred
King of England
Reign	May 26, 946 – November 23 955
Predecessor	Edmund I
Successor	Edwy
Born	923 Wessex, England
Died	November 23, 955
Burial	Old Minster, Winchester, England. Bones now in Winchester Cathedral, England
Father	Edward the Elder
Mother	Edgiva

King Eadred (born around 923 – died November 23, 955) was the King of England from 946 until his death. He was a son of King Edward the Elder and Edgiva of Kent. Eadred became king after his older brother, King Edmund I.

Like his older brothers, Eadred was very successful in fighting against the Vikings. He was also a very religious man. Eadred had poor health throughout his life. He died on November 23, 955, in Frome, Somerset. He was buried in the Old Minster at Winchester. His nephew, King Edwy, became the next king.

Who Was King Eadred?

Eadred's Family and Early Life

Eadred was born around the year 923. His father was King Edward the Elder, a powerful ruler of England. His mother was Edgiva of Kent. Eadred was the younger brother of two other kings, Athelstan and Edmund I.

When his brother King Edmund I died in 946, Eadred became the new King of England. This was a time when England was still forming as a single kingdom.

Battles Against the Vikings

One of Eadred's most important tasks was to protect England from the Vikings. These were fierce warriors from Scandinavia who often raided and tried to settle in England. Eadred, like his brothers before him, was very good at fighting them.

He managed to push the Vikings out of areas they had controlled, especially in the north of England. This helped to unite England even more under one ruler. His victories made England stronger and safer.

A King with Poor Health

Eadred was known for being a very religious person. He spent a lot of time on his faith. However, he also suffered from very bad health. It was so severe that he sometimes struggled to eat his food.

Despite his poor health, he continued to rule the kingdom effectively. He made sure England remained strong and united during his reign.

Eadred's Legacy and Burial

Eadred ruled for about nine years. He died on November 23, 955, in a place called Frome in Somerset. After his death, he was buried in the Old Minster in Winchester. This was a very important church at the time.

His nephew, Edwy, took over as king after Eadred. Eadred's time as king was important for keeping England together and fighting off invaders.

Images for kids

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  Portrait of Dunstan kneeling before Christ, probably by Dunstan himself

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  The will of King Eadred in Old English. It is between the marker halfway down the first column and the one towards the bottom of the second column.

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  Mortuary chest of Eadred in Winchester Cathedral

See also

In Spanish: Edred para niños