Why do dge ending words have silent D?

Answer 1

That's because it's like a defender D. "Page" and "cage" becomes a long A because there's only one intervening consonant. When the G is followed an E, I or Y, then it'll become a soft G which sounds like a J. However, English words can't end with J, which is why they use G. However, if these letters doesn't follow the G, it'll remain a hard G, which is why they put an E. However, the E can elongate the previous vowel, especially if there's only one intervening consonant. Doubling the G is another solution as it prevents the E from elongating the previous vowel but it won't work out because although if the following letters would soften the G but if the G is doubled, then it'll remain a hard G like "trigger" which would sound weird. They use a D instead, but the D is silent and it's like a defender D which prevents the E from elongating the previous vowel, so the previous vowel will remain short. These are examples of word with DGE ending:

1.) edge

2.) hedge

3.) ridge

4.) bridge

5.) fudge

6.) pledge

7.) grudge

8.) badge

9.) gadget

10.) badger

11.) dredge

12.) smudge

13.) fridge