Æthelwold of Wessex

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Æthelwald was the eldest son of Æthelred of Wessex, . He was also the cousin of Edward the Elder of Wessex. Aethelwald fought his cousin during much of his early reign because he felt that he had more right to inherit the throne. When the throne was passed to Edward in 899 Æthelwald went to the Danelaw and was installed by them as King of Northumbria. In 890 he attacked Wessex with his Danish Allies. He defeated Edward but was himself killed in battle, thus allowing Edward to secure his position. His younger brother Æthelhelm chose not to challenge Edward for the throne and continued to reside in Wessex as Ealdorman of Wiltshire.