King Edred of Wessex ¹

  General Notes:

King of Wessex and acknowledged as overlord of Mercia, the Danelaw and Northumbria. A
challenge to Eadred, which serves to illustrate one of his chief qualities, developed in the
north, in the early 950's. Eric Bloodaxe, an aptly named, ferocious, Norse Viking who had
been deposed by his own people, established himself as king of Northumbria at York,
apparently with the fearful acquiescence of the Northumbrians. Eadred responded by
marching north with a considerable force to meet the threat. He proceeded to ravage the
Norse-held territories, then moved back to the south. He was attacked on the way home by
Eric's forces. Eadred was so enraged that he threatened to go back to Northumbria and
ravage the entire land.

This prospect frightened the already frightened Northumbrians into abandoning Eric
Bloodaxe. It must be that they viewed Eadred as more formidable than a bloodthirsty
Viking, who had been thrown out of a society known for its bloodthirstiness, because he
was too bloodthirsty and tyrannical for them. In any case, according to the "AngloSaxon
Chronicle", " the Northumbrians expelled Eric."

As to his personal side, William of Malmesbury provides some illumination. He says that
Eadred was afflicted with some lingering physical malady, since he was, "constantly
oppressed by sickness, and of so weak a digestion as to be unable to swallow more than
the juices of the food he had masticated, to the great annoyance of his guests." Regarding
his spiritual side, apparently the pillaging, ravaging and laying waste that he did, had no
deleterious effects on him. As Malmesbury states, he devoted his life to God, "endured
with patience his frequent bodily pains, prolonged his prayers and made his palace
altogether the school of virtue." He died while still a young man, as had so many of the
kings of Wessex, "accompanied with the utmost grief of men but joy of angels."

  Noted events in his life were:

• Title, 946. ² King of Wessex