King Alfred the Great 871 – 899
The early medieval period was a time of political transformation, where ambitious leaders laid the foundations of Europe’s first kingdoms. These pioneering kings established dynasties, defended their lands from invasions, and created systems of governance that influenced centuries to come. From strategic marriages to military conquests, their actions defined the course of European history. This article explores the founders of Europe’s kingdoms and the remarkable legacy they left behind.
He became the most dominant ruler in England during his lifetime and also assumed the title of “King of the Anglo-Saxons“, the first to have used that title. He remained the King from 871 to 899.
King Edward the Elder 899 – 924
King Edward the Elder was the son of Alfred the Great and was the King of England from 899 to 924.
He also adopted the title of “King of Anglo-Saxons” which had been coined by his father. Edward captured East Anglia and eastern Midlands in the year 917.
These areas were previously under Danish control. Nearly all of England, with the exception of Northumbria, was under his rule.
King Athelstan Æthelstan Reign 924/5 – 927
King Athelstan Æthelstan was the son of Edward the Elder from his first wife and was considered one of the first Kings of England, appropriately having assumed the title “King of the English”.
In 927, he occupied York which was the last English area under Vikings, and later invaded Scotland in 934. Scots and Vikings attacked England in response but Athelstan defeated them.
He was the first person to have ruled the whole of England Æthelstan became king of all the Anglo-Saxon peoples and was described as the first true overlord of Britain by respected historians.
Æthelstan is considered to be the first true king of England.
King Edmund I 939 to 946
King Edmund I succeeded Athlestan and reigned from 939 to 946. During his reign, Vikings regained Northumbria and Midlands which Edmund recovered in 942.
Under his reign, the kingdom of Scotland was accepted and England established peaceful borders with it. He was also active in having Louis IV restored to the French throne.
King Eadred 946 to 955
King Eadred reigned from 946 to 955 with the title of ‘King of the English’. During his reign, there was trouble in Northumbria where the former King of Norway, Eric Bloodaxe, assumed the kingship.
Eadred mounted an offensive on Northumbria and was able to oust Eric. He died of a digestive illness.
King Edgar I 959 to 975
King Edgar I assumed kingship of England in 959 and remained King until 975. His reign is considered pivotal in unifying England and was thoroughly peaceful.
Most other Britain kings proclaimed allegiance to him and he laid down the foundations of the British tradition of the coronation of the King and the Queen, having been anointed and crowned at Bath.
Edward The Martyr 975 to 978
Edward The Martyr, a son of Edgar I, reigned from 975 to 978 when he was murdered. His reign was fraught with civil unrest between the nobles and his leadership right was contested.
He was primarily supported by clerics but nobles disputed his Kingship. During his reign, nobles started taking away the powers to the Benedictine monasteries granted by Edgar I.
King Æthelred the Unready 978 to 1015
King Æthelred was the younger son of Edgar I and half-brother to Edward The Martyr.
When he assumed reign in 978, England was in political turmoil and the populace looked at his Kingship with suspicion, since Edward was killed in his house.
Danish raids on England began in 980 and intermittent peace was bought by tribute at some times and through war at others.
Finally, the King of Denmark Sweyn Forkbeard invaded England in 1013 and forced Æthelred to exile in Normandy. But before assuming Kingship he died.
His son Cnut the Great succeeded him but Æthelred was brought back from exile and he launched an expedition against Danish allies. Cnut left with his army and returned in 1015.
Æthelred and his son Edmund tried to defend London but failed and Cnut finally became the King of England in 1016.
King Cnut the Great 1016 to 1035
King Cnut brought Danish rule to England. Cnut remained the King of England from 1016 to 1035.
At the same time, he was also the King of Denmark, Norway, and a portion of Sweden. Under him, England came to be unified with Scandinavia and he helped establish closer cultural and economic ties between Denmark and England.
He is considered among the most effective pre-Norman kings of England. His reign was marked by many battles which he waged with success while at the same time, managing the countries under him with astute statesmanship.
In 1027, he was invited to Rome to witness the coronation of the Holy Roman Emperor.
Harold Harefoot 1035 t0 1040
Upon Cnut’s death, his younger son Harold Harefoot acceded to the throne and held it from 1035 to 1040. His accession was marked with trouble, with Harold’s half-brother Harthacnut originally meant to accede to the throne.
Harthacnut was stuck in Denmark trying to ward off threats to the kingdom, so Harold was instated regent, and England was initially divided into two parts, one ruled by Harold and the other by Harthacnut’s mother Emma of Normandy.
In 1036, Emma’s sons Ælfred and Edward came from the Duchy of Normandy to England. Edmund went back after a quick attack while Ælfred was caught and died soon after. By 1037, Harold had effective control of all of England and became King.
His successful ascension and subsequent support in favor of him showed that he was able to win the Anglo-Danish nobility to his side.
King Harthacnut 1040 t0 1042
On Harold’s death, Harthacnut became the King of England and kept the position from 1040 to 1042.
He was already the King of Denmark from 1035 and from 1940 to 1942, he was the King of both countries. During his reign, he took to harsh measures and an autocratic style of ruling which aroused the anger of nobility and the population alike.
He imposed many taxes and had many of his enemies killed. He died in 1942 at a wedding ceremony while drinking alcohol.
Edward The Confessor 1042 to 1066
Edward the Confessor, of the House Wessex, was a son of Æthelred and Emma of Normandy. He reigned from 1042 to 1066 and was the last king of the Anglo-Saxons in England.
He acceded to power with one of the most powerful earls of England, Godwin, but later ran into conflict with him. Godwin was forced to flee for some time but returned with an army and Edward had to restore him to his earldom.
Upon his death, he left unclear instructions regarding his heir. William The Conqueror of Normandy claimed Kingship and invaded England and thus began the Norman period of England.
Early Kings Summary
Medieval kings in England began with the House of Wessex who ruled until the 11th century unabated.
In the early 11th century, Cnut of Denmark was able to seize Kingship of England and Denmark, England and Norway, thus uniting England with Scandinavia.
Later in the 11th century, the House of Wessex returned to the throne with Edward The Confessor. He was to be the last King of the Anglo-Saxons before the Norman invasion in 1066.
📜 Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the first medieval kings in Europe?
They were ambitious leaders who **unified tribes, established dynasties**, and created the early structures of European kingdoms.
How did early kings gain power?
Power was gained through **military victories, alliances, marriages**, and the support of **nobles and clergy**.
What challenges did these kings face?
They faced **invasions, rival claims, internal rebellions**, and the challenge of uniting diverse regions under one rule.
Did early medieval kings influence modern Europe?
Yes, their establishment of **territories, laws, and governance systems** set the foundation for modern European states.
Were these kings always hereditary rulers?
Many ruled **hereditarily**, but some rose through **military skill or popular support**, especially in times of instability.
How did these kings maintain control?
They relied on **fortifications, loyal vassals, legal codes**, and sometimes religious legitimacy to maintain authority.
Why study early medieval kings?
Studying them provides insight into **political formation, warfare, diplomacy**, and the **origins of Europe’s modern kingdoms**.
