Name That Name! Genealogy For Edward
Edward is unique, an Old English name which predates the Norman Conquest and continued to proliferate in popular usage throughout Europe. Most Anglo-Saxon names disappeared when William the First's new regime repressed the Anglo-Saxon vernacular, introducing Norman nomenclature to rename people and places.
Pre-Norman, Old England was divided into regional, Anglo-Saxon or Viking kingdoms. The crowning question pertaining to England's three Anglo-Saxon and eight post-Norman King Edwards must be: Why are the earliest three not numbered, while the subsequent eight are duly numbered, Edward I to VIII? What happened to King Edward I to XI? (Granted, this question isn't new, but if you reckon you know the answer, please email me.)
King Edward the Elder (874-924) was crowned in 899, following the death of Alfred the Great. His court was Winchester, formerly England's capital. The Anglo-Saxon version is Eadweard se leldra. He married Ealhswith.
King Edward the Martyr (962-978) was crowned in 975. He was eldest son of King Edgar, known as 'King of the English'. Sadly the Martyr's right to reign was disputed by his younger brother; he was 'martyred' three years later (murdered in 978).
Edward the Confessor (1003-1066) became famous for aspiring to be a just and pious king. He married Edith of Wessex, but failed to leave an heir to the English throne. In 1161, Pope Alexander III canonized this long-dead Confessor, as Patron Saint of Kings.
Edward I (1239-1307) aka, Edward Longshanks, Hammer of the Scots. King of England from 1272 to 1307; son of Henry III. Notorious for defeating Simon de Montfort, ending the War with the Barons. His brutal bullyboy tactics in Wales and then Scotland slaughtered citizens galore.
Edward II (1302-1327), England's King from 1307. This young ruler was considered rather too effete by his own courtiers, to match the brutal, ruthless, greedy, psychotic & sadistic requirements, listed in the Plantagenet King job description! So there was a shocked sigh of relief, when Ed2 suddenly toughed-up in Wales, smashing and massacring Welsh Prince Llewellyn's ramshackle renegade militia - the last stand of Welsh autonomy. And Llewellyn, bundled off to the Tower of London, for lifelong vacation... But just not brutal enough to impress the King's kin; at the next family reunion, Ed2 was treated to the traditional ancestral red-hot fire iron, inserted slowly from the rear. He still holds the honor of being the only English monarch to exit in this way!
Edward III (1312-1377) reigned for 50 years and established the Order of the Garter.
Edward IV (1442-1483) was crowned in 1461. After his victory in the War of the Roses, he married Elizabeth Woodville.
Edward V (1470-1483) was crowned King on April 9th 1483... And sacked - sorry, deposed - two months later.
Edward VI (1537-1553) Sickly son of Henry VIII, this Tudor-child was King for a few years. Then he snuffed it.
Edward VII (1841-1910) Son and heir to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. King of bushy-whiskers and sprawling sideburns, old-schoolboy's ties and oppressive Gentlemen's Clubs, wafts of cigar smoke; stench of worn leather sofas and finest Highland malt.
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