Reigned 959-975.157 The first King of a united England. He allowed his Danish subjects to retain Danish laws. Edgar promoted a monastic revival and encouraged trade by reforming the currency. He improved defence by organising coastal naval patrols and a system for manning warships. Although he suceeded on 1st October 959, he was not crowned until 973 because St Dunstan, the Archbishop of Canterbury, disaproved of his way of life.283

The coronation service, devised by St Dunstan, was the first to include the practice of anointing with oil. The same service has been used ever since.160