AS Unit F961 - British History Period Studies (Y101)
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Three Model Essays for the 20 mark question on the Alfred and the Making of England paper, answering the questions 'Assess the reasons for Edward’s success in dealing with the dynastic challenges to his rule', 'Assess the reasons for Edward the Elder and Aethelflaed’s success in conquering most...
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AS Unit F961 - British History Period Studies (Y101)
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Assess the reasons for Edward’s success in dealing with the dynastic challenges to his rule.
Edward faced a number of dynastic challenges at the beginning of his rule in 899, including the threat of his
cousin Aethelwold, the control over Mercia, and his need for an heir. These issues were solved through a
plethora of solutions, most importantly the effective use of his army to maintain control and bring internal
stability to his kingdom. Other reasons also contributed to Edward’s success, including his cooperation with his
sister Aethelflaed, use of marriage to build alliances, and chance, however Edward’s use of his military was
certainly the most impactful.
The effective use of his army to maintain control and stability was the most important reason for Edward’s
success in dealing with dynastic challenges to his rule. This is because of the huge threat that his cousin
Aethelwold was to his kingship. Believing he was the rightful heir to the throne due to the lack of a
primogeniture, Aethelwold had constructed a military alliance with northern Vikings who aimed to use him as
a puppet king, gaining resources and a strong army. However, Edward launched raids in Cambridgeshire, and
after calling for a retreat, he was tactfully able to control the challenge of Aethelwold, who was killed by a
rebelling Kentish division. Although the army was only significant to Edward’s success against his cousin, it is
undoubtedly the most important reason as he posed the greatest threat, shown as Edward had to marry for a
second time in order to consolidate his claim to the throne, as this had been illegitimated through the dynastic
issue of Aethelwold. Thus, it is evident that Edward’s effective use of his army was the most significant reason
for his success.
Furthermore, Edward was successful in dealing with the dynastic issue of the control over Mercia due to his
cooperation with his sister, who had married Aethelred of Mercia in 886. They liaised over the building of
burhs along the north-western Mercian frontiers, such as those as Hertford, to defer an attack from Wales and
Ireland, controlling external threats. Moreover, they divided the responsibility of the policing of Mercia, seen
through the combined Wessex and Mercian army which fought against the Northumbrian Vikings. As a
consequence of this, Edward was successful as he was able to avoid conflict with his Mercian neighbours, who
were known as the Lord and Lady of Mercia, showing their authoritative position. This further aided in his
control over the Viking threat, as both leaders were able to cooperate to strengthen their positions. As a
result, it is evident that Edward’s cooperation with his sister was undoubtedly an important reason for his
success against dynastic challenges, however was not as significant as his effective use of his army.
Additionally, Edward also used marriages in order to successfully deal with his dynastic issues, In his first
marriage, he aimed to and was successful in having a male heir in order to avoid the dynastic issues he had
faced due to the lack of a primogeniture. Within Edward’s second marriage, he consolidated support for his
claim to his throne, and in his third, he married the daughter of a Kentish ealdorman to unite other Anglo-
Saxon denominations and gain the guaranteed military support of Kent. Because of this, Edward was able to
make alliances through marriage and secure his kingship and authority through the gaining of support. Thus,
though it is clear that marriage and alliances were an important reason for Edward’s success, they were not as
crucial as the effective use of his army, and so were not the most significant factor.
Moreover, chance was another important reason why Edward was successful in dealing with his dynastic
challenges. Aethelwold was killed by a spontaneously rebellious Kentish division, which solved the dynastic
issue of who was to claim the throne, and if Edward hadn’t have borne a son in his first marriage, his throne
would not have been so secure. However, chance is not so important a factor as the other reasons, as Edward
would likely have faced and killed Aethelwold in battle at some point and would probably have had a son
within one of his marriages, so the effective use of his army remains the most important reason for his success.
To conclude, the use of his army, cooperation with Aethelflaed of Mercia, the use of marriage and chance all
contributed to Edward’s success in dealing with dynastic challenges. However, his use of the military was
clearly the most important reason as it resulted in the defeat of the greatest threat to Edward’s reign and
legitimacy. Meanwhile, chance was the least influential factor in his success, as it is likely that Edward would
have succeeded at some point throughout his reign regardless of the rebellious Kentish division.
Assess the reasons for Edward the Elder and Aethelflaed’s success in conquering most of the
Danelaw.
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