Made King of Mercia and Northumbria in 957, and succeed to the
throne of Wessex at his brother, Eadwig’s, death in 959. With this, Edgar
was King of Mercia, Northumbria and Wessex (the three most powerful
kingdoms in England, at that time), simultaneously, and could be
considered to be the first ruler of a united England. Some of his
predecessors were Kings of All England by virtue of being King of Wessex
and, at the same time, enjoying a temporary military ascendancy over the
other kingdoms.
He was known as “the Peaceable” largely because the victories and
campaigns of his forebears had finally brought a measure of stability and
freedom from outside attack. The time was ripe for a reformation of the
church which was largely the work of St. Dunstan, whom Edgar recalled
from exile. In the stakes for recognition as the first King of England
Edgar also has some claim. “His reign was prosperous and God granted him
to live his days in peace; he did his duty and laboured zealously in its
performance. Far and wide he exalted God’s praise and delighted in His
law, improving the security of his people more than all the kings who
were before him within the memory of man.”
It was only after 14 years on the throne that he was eventually
crowned in a ceremony of great significance using a new order of service
which was the work of Dunstan and which long remained in use. “In this
year, Edgar, ruler of the English was consecratewd King by a great
assembly, in the ancient city of Acemannesceastee, also called Bath by
the inhabitants of this island. On that blessed day, called and named
Whit Sunday by the children of men, there was great rejoicing by all. As
I have heard, there was a great congregation of priests and a goodly
company of monks, and wise men gathered together.”
He led all his fleet to Chesterand there six (eight) kings came to
him to make their submission and pledge themselves to be his fellow
workers by sea and land. He “called them to enter into a barge upon the
waters of the Dee, and placing himself in the forepart of the barge at
the helm, he called those eight high princes to row the barge up and down
the water, showing thereby his princely perogative and royal
magnificenec, in that he might use the service of so many kings that were
his subjects. And thereupon he said (as hath been reported) that then
might his sucessors account themselves Kings of England, when they
enjoyed such perogative of high and supreme honour.”
He reputation was still high when he died. “In this year Edgar
passed away ruler of the English, friend of the West Saxons and protector
of the Mercians. That was known far and wide throughout many nations,
Kings honoured the son of Edmund far and wide over the gannet’s bath, and
submitted to the sovreign, as were his birth right. No fleet however
proud no host however strong, was able to win booty for itself in
England, while that noble King occupied the royal throne.”
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