Ælfweard of Wessex facts for kids

Ælfweard (born around 902 – died August 2, 924) was a son of Edward the Elder, who was a king of the Anglo-Saxons. Ælfweard's mother was Ælfflæd, King Edward's second wife. He lived a very short life, and his time as king, if any, is still debated by historians today.

A King for a Short Time?

When Ælfweard's father, King Edward the Elder, died on July 17, 924, the old records tell different stories about who became king next.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a very old history book, simply says that Ælfweard died soon after his father. It mentions they were buried together in Winchester. One version of the Chronicle says he lived only 16 days longer than his father. It doesn't clearly say he was king.

However, another old list of kings from the 12th century, called the Textus Roffensis, says Ælfweard did become king after his father. It even claims he ruled for four weeks. An even older book from the 11th century, the New Minster Liber Vitae, also calls him a king.

Different Ideas About His Reign

On the other hand, a writer named William of Malmesbury said that Ælfweard's older half-brother, Æthelstan, was supposed to be king. This was based on King Edward's will.

Because of these different old writings, historians today have various ideas:

• Some believe Ælfweard became king of all of Wessex (a powerful kingdom in England) instead of his older brother Æthelstan.
• Others think Æthelstan was the only true heir and became king of everything.
• A third idea is that the kingdom was split. Ælfweard might have been king in Wessex, while Æthelstan became king in Mercia (another part of England). This idea comes from records saying Æthelstan became king of the Mercians. Also, Æthelstan grew up in Mercia with his aunt, Æthelflæd.

Historian Simon Keynes suggests that leaders in Wessex chose Ælfweard as their king, while leaders in Mercia chose Æthelstan. It's possible King Edward wanted to divide his kingdom, but it's more likely that the different regions chose their own leaders after his death.

Ælfweard's Death

Ælfweard died very soon after his father, just 16 days later, on August 2, 924. He passed away in Oxford and was buried at the New Minster, Winchester.

After Ælfweard's death, his brother Æthelstan still had trouble becoming king in Wessex. He wasn't crowned King of the Anglo-Saxons until September 4, 925.

See Also

In Spanish: Ethelweard para niños

• Family tree of English monarchs