957.] His son Edward succeeded.

Though of less learning than his father, he equalled him in his political virtues.

He made war with success on the Welsh, the Scots, and the Danes, and left his kingdom strongly fortified, and exercised, not weakened, with the enterprises of a vigorous reign.

Because his son Edmund was under age, the crown was set on the head of his illegitimate offspring, Athelstan.

His, like the reigns of all the princes of this time, was molested by the continual incursions of the Danes; and nothing but a succession of men of spirit, capacity, and love of their country, which providentially happened at this time, could ward off the ruin of the kingdom.