BOOK MALMESBURY HOTELS

Athelstan
- Favourite Briton.


Born in Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Born in 895
Died on 27th of October 939

Athelstan was born in 895 into the Kingdom of Wessex, his father was King Edward (The Elder), and his mother was Egwina, Athelstan was the grandson of King Alfred The Great. He spent his formative years at the Royal Courts of Tamworth and Gloucester, with his aunt, Ethelfleda who was known as the Lady Of Mercia and when his father King Edward died in 924, Athelstan's younger brother, Elfweard succeeded to the throne of King Edward on 17th July 924, and Athelstan inherited Mercia, however, Elfweard died in August 924 whilst he was in Oxford. This left the path clear, and Athelstan inherited everything. His Coronation took place on the 4th September, 925, in Kingston Upon Thames, which was to be the place where seven Saxon Kings were crowned, he became king of Mercia, and Wessex.

His military strength was to prove useful, as many battles were to take place, he fought invaders from Scotland, and Ireland, ensuring his rise and increase in power on the Scottish, Welsh borders. To secure political alliances he arranged for four of his sisters to marry, one became the wife of the Roman Emperor Otto I, one was destined to become the Queen of France, he also arranged that one of his sister's would marry the Danish leader Sithric, who was the King Of York, after a treaty was signed at Tamworth, however, his brother in Law Sithric was to die a year later, Athelstan recognised his opportunity, he seized York, which had been held by the Danes, his unrelentless determination brought the submission of King Constantine of Scotland, the Kings from the North, and an agreement from the Welsh kings, he was destined to rule the whole of England. In 937 he secured victory following a bloody battle and skirmish with the Celts, Scots, Norwegians and the Danes at the Battle of Brunanburgh. Athelstan also strengthened the laws, regarding the production of coins, and introduced stiff penalties for dishonest practises, he was an avid collector of art and religious icons, donating many to the church. He did not marry, and when he died on the 27th October, 939 in Gloucester aged 44 years, he had remained childless, he was later buried at Malmesbury Abbey, he was succeeded by his brother Edmund.

More famous Britons here

Contributors: Do you have a site related to Athelstan?
Supply some content for this page and we will gladly add a link to your site. Email here.

8435 views since 10th November 2008

Brit Quote:
If Galileo had said in verse that the world moved, the inquisition might have let him alone - Thomas Hardy
More Quotes

On this day:
Battle of Towton - 1461, Battle of Alresford - 1644, Albert Hall Opens - 1871, Captain Scott dies - 1912, First London Marathon - 1981
More dates from British history

click here to view all the British counties

County Pages