How was Edgar the Atheling related to Edward the Confesser?

Answer 1

Edgar the Ætheling was the great-nephew of Edward the Confessor.

Edward the Confessor was a son of King Æthelræd II (known as Ethelred "the Unready"). Æthelræd lost a war against Canute of Denmark and fled the country.

Edward's older brother was called Edmund Ironside and he ruled as king in part of England briefly in 1016 before he was assassinated by Danish spies.

Edmund Ironside had two sons; Edmund and Edward - both of whom were exiled in Hungary after King Canute of Denmark conquered the rest of England in 1016.

Edward the Confessor was exiled in Normandy after 1016 and was friends with the Normans. When Canute and his son Hardicanute were dead the English royal family returned and they elected Edward the Confessor as king in 1042. However he had no children and wasn't likely to have any (rumour has it he was gay).

The two sons of Edmund Ironside who were sent to Hungary after 1016 still lived. However by 1042 the eldest one, Edmund, had died. His brother, Edward (known as Edward "the Exile"), lived and had a young family in Hungary. One of his children was Edgar "the Ætheling" (born 1051). They returned to England in 1057 but shortly afterwards Edward the Exile died - he was probably poisoned by rivals. That left Edgar "the Ætheling" as the only lawful heir of Edward the Confessor, his great uncle.

When Edward the Confessor died in January 1066 the Witan (a sort of council) chose someone who wasn't royal to be king; Harold II, because they needed a warrior to defend the kingdom and Edgar was only 15. After Harold II was killed in October 1066 at Hastings Edgar briefly became king. He was forced to abdicate in December 1066. Edgar died in 1126 in England.

Æthelræd II (king 978-1016, deposed and died in exile)

Edmund Ironside (king in 1016) - brother of - Edward the Confessor (king 1042-1066)

Edward the Exile (son of Edmund Ironside, died 1057)

Edgar the Ætheling (grandson of Edmund Ironside, king for eight weeks in 1066, died 1126.)

- xazyxx.

Answer 2

Edward the Confessor was the great-uncle of Edgar Atheling. Edgar's grandfather King Edmund II Ironside was a half-brother of Edward the Confessor.

Answer 3

grand-nephew

Answer 4

his great nephew