King Edmund I 'the magnificent' was the elder son of Edward the Elder and his third wife, Edgiva, and king of England from 939-946. Inheriting the expanded realm of England, Edmund initially lost York and Cumbria from the Norse and Scots, but through peace negotiations, baptisms and military skill, he won them back again. Edmund's reign was short, as he was killed in his own hall by an outlaw at the age of 25.

King Aethelstan (Æthelstan or ‘Noble Stone’) was the son of Edward the Elder, and king of all England from 925-939. Another of the conquering kings of Wessex, Aethelstan expanded his father's kingdom, gave much to the church and enhanced the power and prestige of kingship. Forming allies across Europe, and ruthlessly subjugating Wales, the Scots and the Danes, Aethelstan was one of England's great kings.