King Eadwig of England

Eadwig, also known as Edwy or Eadwig All-Fair, was the elder son of King Edmund I and his first wife Ælfgifu. He ascended to the throne of England on 23 November 955 at about fifteen years of age and reigned until his death. His tenure as king was marked by significant interactions with notable figures such as Dunstan, the Abbot of Glastonbury and future Archbishop of Canterbury. Eadwig’s reign saw a substantial number of charters issued, and he faced a kingdom division, with his brother Edgar ruling the land north of the Thames.

During Eadwig’s rule, his marriage to Ælfgifu was annulled by Oda, Archbishop of Canterbury, due to their close kinship. The Benedictine reform movement gained momentum under his brother Edgar’s reign, which later influenced the perception of Eadwig, often portraying him unfavorably. Eadwig’s legacy is complex, with varying interpretations by historians over the centuries.