Edgar, King of England

King Edgar was born in about 942AD, the younger son of King Edmund I of England. He won the nickname, "the Peaceable", but in fact was a stronger king than his brother, Edwy, from whom he took the kingdoms of Northumbria and Mercia in 958. He officially succeeded Edwy as king of England in 959. It was his decision to appoint St Dunstan as Archbishop of Canterbury, but it is alleged that Dunstan at first refused to crown Edgar because he disapproved of his way of life.

Edgar was eventually crowned at Bath in 973, and this service, devised by Dunstan himself, forms the basis of the present-day British coronation ceremony. He had several children. Edgar died on July 8, 975 at Winchester, and is buried at Glastonbury. He was succeeded by his son, King Edward the Martyr.