William Sterling

Athelstan called himself “Rex Totius Britanniae” and should be better known as the first  king to truly be king of the whole of England and was also recognised as overlord in Wales and Scotland.

We will examine how Athelstan’s father and aunt went a long way to expelling the Danes from England and how he managed to take power after his father’s death despite possibly being illegitimate.  We will look at his achievements and international reputation attracting royal and other visitors from many parts of Europe.  He was able to pass on a nearly united kingdom to his brothers and nephews but they struggled to keep new waves of Viking invaders at bay until Edgar was able to emulate his uncle’s achievements and coronation alongside his capable queen Aelfthryth and scholarly archbishop Dunstan.  Only Edgar’s early death caused another succession crisis.