Chapter XIX: Edward and His Sons

900. Accession of Edward “the Elder” 318

900–904? Rebellion of Ethelwald 319

Conquest of Danish kingdoms beyond the Watling
Street 320

912–918. Prowess of Edward’s sister Ethelfled, “the Lady of
the Mercians”. Her fortresses 321

Edward continues her work of castle-building 323

924. Alleged recognition of Edward as overlord by
Constantine II., King of Scots 325

924–925. Death of Edward: accession of Athelstan 328

Doubts as to Athelstan’s legitimacy 329

Character of Athelstan. His relation to
continental powers 330

Story of the adoption of Hakon of Norway 331

Dealings with Northumbria and the Scots 332

937. Battle of Brunanburh. Discussion of its
site 334

Ballad of Brunanburh 335

Athelstan as “King of all Britain,” and
_Basileus_ 336

Mysterious death of Athelstan’s brother,
Edwin 337

940. Death of Athelstan. Succeeded by his brother
Edmund 338

942. Edmund delivers the Five Boroughs from Danish
thraldom 340

943. Wulfstan, Archbishop of York, helps the Danes
against Edmund 340

945. Alleged “cession of Cumberland” to Malcolm, King
of Scotland 341

946. Edmund assassinated by a robber. Accession of
Edred 339

948. Eric, of Denmark, chosen King of Northumbria.
Edred’s war with him and Archbishop Wulfstan 342

954. End of the Northumbrian kingdom 342

955. Death of Edred 343