English Benedictine Reform acceptance of Benedictinism, and that the movement's greatest benefactor, King Edgar, had played a major role in the unification by his demands for adherence to the Benedictine Rule. Æthelwold probably tutored Edgar as a boy, and was very close to him; it is likely that Æthelwold was influential in persuading the king to carry through his reforms and support Benedictine monasticism. Monks became dominant on the bishops' bench during his reign. Æthelwold was close to Queen Ælfthryth and supported the claim of her son Æthelred (978–1016) to be king against his elder half-brother, Edward (975–978). Dunstan supported Edward, who succeeded
King Leonardo and His Short Subjects by Mr. Mad (voiced by Norman Rose), a mad scientist with a domineering personality. When each of his schemes falls through, Mr. Mad disappears "as if by magic" before he can be apprehended. Each half-hour episode of "King Leonardo" consisted of five animated segments. Each half-hour included a two-part "King and Odie" episode, with other characters featured in between: Early in the series' NBC run, selected Columbia Pictures theatrical cartoons were aired on the program, some featuring The Fox and the Crow and Li'l Abner. These shorts were added to fill time when production of the early shows was delayed.