Dead King Watch: King Edmund I

King Edmund I died on May 26 946, which makes today the 1060th anniversary of his death. Edmund was born in 921, son of Edward the Elder and half-brother of Athelstan. Athelstan died on October 27, 939, and Edmund succeeded him as King. Shortly after his proclamation as King Edmund had to face several military threats. King Olaf I of Dublin conquered Northumbria and invaded the Midlands. When Olaf died in 942 Edmund reconquered the Midlands and then Northumbria. In 945 Edmund conquered Strathclyde but conceded his rights on the territory to King Malcolm I of Scotland. In exchange they signed a treaty of mutual military support. Edmund thus established a policy of safe borders and peaceful relationships with Scotland. During his reign, the revival of monasteries in England began. In 946, Edmund was at a party in Pucklechurch, when he spotted an exiled thief Leofa, in the crowd. After the outlaw refused to leave, the king and his advisors fought Leofa. Edmund and Leofa were both killed. This goes to show why knives should not be carried around in public, especially not to parties...