Æthelstan

Reign: 927 – 939
Life: 895–939

Modern historians regard him as the first King of England and one of the "greatest Anglo-Saxon kings". Æthelstan encountered resistance in Wessex for several months, and was not crowned until September 925. In 927, he conquered the last remaining Viking kingdom, York, making him the first Anglo-Saxon ruler of the whole of England. Æthelstan defeated them at the Battle of Brunanburh, a victory that gave him great prestige both in the British Isles and on the Continent.

During Æthelstan's reign, Constantine II of Scotland ruled Scotland, Constantine VII ruled Rome, and Emperor Taizong of Liao ruled China.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Athelstan: The Making of England by Sarah Foot

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The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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Athelstan: The Making of England

Sarah Foot

Foot's authoritative life of the first king who truly united England.

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