Eadred

Eadred (c. 923 – 23 November 955) was King of the English from 946 until his death in 955. A member of the House of Wessex, he was the son of Edward the Elder and his third wife, Eadgifu, and succeeded his older brother Edmund I.

Eadred's reign was largely defined by his struggles to consolidate royal authority in Northumbria, which was populated by a significant Norse population and often defied Anglo-Saxon rule. He faced repeated rebellions, primarily led by Eric Bloodaxe and Olaf Sihtricsson, vying for control of the region. These rebellions were eventually put down, though not without considerable military effort and destruction.

Eadred was known for his piety and strong support of the Church, particularly his close relationship with Dunstan, the Abbot of Glastonbury. Dunstan served as a key advisor and wielded considerable influence during Eadred's reign, furthering monastic reform.

Eadred never married and had no children. Upon his death, he was succeeded by his nephew, Eadwig, son of Edmund I. He was buried at Winchester Cathedral. While his reign was relatively short, Eadred played a crucial role in stabilizing the Kingdom of England following a period of instability and Norse incursions. His suppression of Northumbrian revolts contributed to the eventual incorporation of the region into a unified English kingdom.