The proclamation of Edgar the Ætheling as King of England occurred in the wake of the significant Battle of Hastings, where King Harold II was killed, marking a turning point in English history. The Witan, which was the council of nobles and clergy, came together to elect Edgar in response to the leadership vacuum that emerged after Harold's death. Edgar was just a teenager and a descendant of the royal family, which made him a legitimate candidate in the eyes of the Anglo-Saxon nobility, who were reluctant to yield to the Norman invaders led by William the Conqueror.

However, Edgar's reign was short-lived. Despite being proclaimed king, he was never crowned; the political circumstances were dire, with William advancing rapidly across the country. In this chaotic environment, Edgar struggled to rally the factions of English nobility in support of his claim. After a brief period of power and negotiations, it became evident that strength lay with the Norman invader, William, who had decisively defeated Harold and diminished any serious threat from existing English leadership.

Ultimately, Edgar conceded the throne to William less than two months after his proclamation. This act not only marked the end of the Anglo-Saxon era but also ushered in the Norman Conquest, fundamentally altering the structure of English society, law, and landownership and setting the stage for centuries of Norman influence in England.