Edgar Aetheling

CLAIMANT FACT FILE:

EDGAR AETHELING

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:

Distant relative to King Edward

He and his father had a strong claim to the throne.

Was Edward the Confessor's closest living relative.

Needed support of others to become King.

CLAIM:

In 1054, Edgar Aetheling and his father returned to England from Hungary. They were distant relatives of King Edward the Confessor. They both had a claim to the throne as blood relatives.

Edgar's father died in suspicious circumstances in 1054. This left Edgar alone. In 1066 he was the closest blood relative to King Edward the Confessor.

PROBLEMS WITH THE CLAIM:

Despite having the closest blood relation to Edward the Confessor, Edgar was too young and powerless to enforce his claim. He did have the support of some nobles, but his age was the major problem - he was too young!