Find out about King Æthelstan and the founding of England
A powerful, sophisticated, and innovative king. Æthelstan - pronounced ‘ETH‑el‑stan’ - (894 - 939 AD) is an unsung hero of English history.
Æthelstan reigned only briefly (924-939), yet his achievements changed the course of English history. He won spectacular military victories, notably at Brunanburh, forged unprecedented political connections across Europe, he was s pious monarch fostering the church and Christianity, and succeeded in creating the first unified kingdom of the English, to claim the title of ‘first English monarch’.
His legacy however has been largely forgotten. Æthelstan never married nor had children. His memory and legacy overshadowed by monarchs such as his grandfather Alfred the Great and Norman usurper William the Conqueror.
His name uses the now unfamiliar Old English character of ‘AE’ which disappeared from modern English because of Norman scribes not using it. (History is not only written by the victors but also uses their alphabet). Without monks in subsequent years writing glowing tributes of him, he never achieved the reputation he deserved.
Æthelstan’s only memorial is at Malmesbury Abbey, Wiltshire where he was buried in 939AD, along with a local Pilgrim’s walking trail, museum and school named after him, and wasn’t until 2012 his first biography appeared.
At Eamont Bridge, Cumbria, although recognised as symbolising the ‘birthplace of England’, is without a formal monument.
We can now ensure Æthelstan’ achevements are properly respected and celebrated through the England together 1100 years - what’s your England?’