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Edward the Elder was one of the most important kings of England during the Anglo-Saxon period. He was the son of Alfred the Great, and he ruled Wessex from 899 until his death in 924. During his reign, he extended his control over other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, and he was instrumental in establishing the political and cultural unity of England.

Edward was born around 874, the fourth son of Alfred the Great and his wife Ealhswith. He grew up during a time of great political upheaval, as the Danish Vikings were making repeated raids on Anglo-Saxon England. In 878, when Edward was just a boy, the Vikings overran Wessex and Alfred was forced to flee into the marshes of Somerset. However, he rallied his forces and defeated the Vikings at the Battle of Edington, which marked a turning point in the war. Edward likely participated in this battle, and he would have grown up with a deep respect for his father's military leadership and political acumen.

Edward became king of Wessex in 899, after the death of his father. He inherited a kingdom that was still threatened by the Vikings, and he had to fight a number of battles to secure his position. He first defeated the Vikings in the Battle of Holme in 902, and he went on to defeat them again at the Battle of Tettenhall in 910. These victories allowed Edward to extend his control over other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, including Mercia and East Anglia.

Edward was also a skilled diplomat, and he used his political skills to forge alliances with other rulers. He formed an alliance with the king of Scotland, Constantine II, and he also made peace with the Welsh rulers of Gwynedd and Powys. These alliances helped to stabilize the political situation in England and allowed Edward to focus on building up his kingdom.

One of Edward's most important achievements was the establishment of a system of burhs, or fortified towns. These towns were built throughout England and served as centers of trade and defense. They were strategically located along rivers and roads, and they were protected by walls and gates. This system of burhs allowed Edward to control the movement of goods and people throughout England, and it also provided a measure of security against Viking raids.

Edward was also a patron of learning, and he founded a number of monasteries and churches throughout his kingdom. He was particularly interested in the reform of the English church, and he supported the work of the Archbishop of Canterbury, St. Dunstan, in this regard. Under Edward's patronage, the English church became more organized and centralized, and it played an important role in the cultural and political life of England.

Edward died in 924, and he was succeeded by his son, Athelstan. He was buried at Winchester Cathedral, and his tomb was later adorned with a statue of him holding a model of a church, symbolizing his devotion to the church and his role in its reform.

In conclusion, Edward the Elder was a key figure in the history of England during the Anglo-Saxon period. He was a skilled military commander, diplomat, and patron of learning, and his reign saw the establishment of a system of fortified towns and the expansion of English control over other Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. His legacy lived on through his son Athelstan, who continued his work and established England as a unified kingdom.

Reference: Article by Greg Scott (Staff Historian), 2024