Alfred the Great's Heir: The Controversial Succession After His Reign

Alfred the Great ascended the throne of Wessex in 871, following the death of his older brother, King ?thelred. At that time, Alfred had a daughter, ?lffl?d, born around 870, and a son, Edward, born between 874 and 877. ?thelred, on the other hand, had two sons, ?eelhelm and ?eelwold, who were minors at the time of his demise. álfríe, Alfred's daughter, became the primary heir due to her father's decision.

Early Succession Complications

?eelhelm, the eldest son of ?thelred, faced challenges in succeeding Alfred. By the end of Alfred’s reign, it was evident that he was preparing Edward as his successor. In 898, Edward was already titled king and given Kent to rule over as his own subkingdom. Alfred's death in 899 solidified Edward’s position as the rightful heir.

The Fate of ?eelhelm

?eelhelm seems to have either done little of note during his life or was omitted from contemporary sources by chroniclers and scribes at Alfred’s court. The only evidence of his existence comes from Alfred's will, which mentions that he was to receive 8 estates. ?eelhelm is notably absent from any other historical records.

The will of King Alfred, written in the 880s, distributes his private estates with 22 to Edward and 8 to ?eelhelm. While it does not explicitly state Alfred's heir, the distribution suggests that Alfred was ensuring Edward's wealth and power for the future kingship.

Rebellion and Death

Despite his lack of influence, ?eelhelm was not without his supporters. After Alfred’s death, ?eelhelm’s younger brother ?eelwold rebelled against Edward, claiming the West Saxon crown for himself. ?eelwold seized a couple of estates in Wessex and fled north to the Viking leaders in York, who supported him. With their backing and the help of East Anglia, ?eelwold returned to Wessex but was ultimately defeated and died at the Battle of the Holme in Huntingdonshire in 902.

Theorizing the Controversial Succession

Some scholars, including historian Pauline Stafford, have suggested that ?eelhelm might have been the same person as ?eelhelm Ealdorman of Wiltshire, who died in 897. This ?eelhelm was one of Alfred's most accomplished nobles and played significant roles in political and military affairs. He was sent on embassies to Rome and led military campaigns against Vikings. However, his death in 897 has raised questions about his involvement in the succession crisis of 899.

Controversy and Disagreements

The theory that ?eelhelm Ealdorman was the same as ?eelhelm, son of ?thelred, is disputed by many historians. The reasons for disagreement include:

It was not customary for ?eelings (princes) to become ealdormen. The church would not have allowed Edward to marry his cousin's daughter, ?lfled, who married Edward in around 900.

While the details of the succession remain contested, it is clear that Alfred the Great's decisions during his reign significantly influenced the political landscape of Wessex and beyond.

Conclusion

The story of Alfred the Great's heir is a complex and contentious one. While ?eelhelm played a part in the early days of Alfred's reign, it was Edward who emerged as the clear successor after Alfred's death. The events surrounding his death highlight the political and social dynamics of the time, making this era a fascinating period in British history.