King Edgar died in AD 975, his reputation still undiminished. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records his passing as follows :

In this year Edgar passed away
Ruler of the English,
Friend of the West Saxons
And protector of the Mercians.
That was known far and wide
Throughout many nations,
Kings honoured the son of Edmund
Far and wide over the gannet’s bath,
And submitted to the Sovereign,
As was his birth right.
No fleet however proud
No host however strong,
Was able to win booty for itself
In England, while the noble King
Occupied the Royal throne.

King Edgar was crowned after 14 years of his reign. The service was significant in that it used Dunstan’s famous and long-lasting order of service, some of which remains to this day. This is how it appeared in The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle :

In this year, Edgar, ruler of the English
Was consecrated King by a great assembly,
In the ancient city of Acemannesceastee,
Also called Bath by the inhabitants
Of this island. On that blessed day,
Called and named Whit Sunday by the children of Men,
There was great rejoicing by all. As I have heard,
There was a great congregation of priests and a goodly company of monks,
And wise men gathered together.

King Edgar (959-975) became known as “the Peaceable”. As the great grandson of Alfred the Great, he inherited a largely stable kingdom. However, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is fulsome in its praise of Edgar, some of which must surely have been deserved :

“His reign was prosperous and God granted him
To live his days in peace; he did his duty,
And laboured zealously in its performance.
Far and wide he exalted God’s praise
And delighted in His law, improving the security
Of his people more than all the kings
Who were before him within the memory of man.