King Edward The Martyr

[tigerlelly]

Why isn't King Edward The Martyr known as Edward 1st? He was King in the 900s and Edward 1st was King in the 1200s. Edward the martyr's half-brother was Aelthelred 11 so numbering had been introduced at that time.

[jackthehat]

Reading that back, that doesn't seem to make as much sense as I though it did....

The current monarch would be simply known as King or Queen 'Whatever' with all previous incumbents given a number to distinguish them from one another.

[Ric.ror]

No it's not confessor

[jno]

there were three Edwards before Edward I (all pre-Conquest)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_the_Elder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_the_Martyr
http://en.wikipedia.o.../Edward_the_Confessor

Jack, that's what usually happens in practice - when she pops up in the news it's simply as "Queen Elizabeth"; you only add "the second" in the most formal settings; but her predecessor is (now) always Queen Elizabeth the First.

[ABerrant]

Indeed. King John has not required a regnant number for eight centuries and thus remains King John a.k.a. John Lackland.

[jno]

.

[jno]

aka John Softsword. I imagine his name is seen as one of ill omen, like Charles, and unlikely to be used by future kings.