Æðelstan

Æðelstan was King of the Anglo-Saxons from 924 to 927 and King of the English from 927 to 939. He was the son of King Edward the Elder and his wife Ecgwynn. Æðelstan is considered the first king to rule over the whole of England. He was a great-grandson of Alfred the Great.

Upon his father's death in 924, Æðelstan succeeded him as King of the Anglo-Saxons. His reign was marked by consolidation and expansion of royal authority. In 927, he conquered the Viking Kingdom of York, bringing the entire territory of England under his control. This event is often seen as the birth of England as a unified kingdom.

Æðelstan was a strong military leader. In 937, he achieved a significant victory at the Battle of Brunanburh, defeating a combined force of Scots, Norse, and Strathclyde Britons. This battle solidified his reign and his control over England.

Beyond his military achievements, Æðelstan was also known for his administrative reforms and his patronage of the church. He issued laws that aimed to create a more stable and just society, and he encouraged the development of coinage and trade. He was also a devout Christian and maintained close ties with religious institutions. Æðelstan never married and died childless in 939. He was succeeded by his half-brother, Eadmund I. His reputation grew after his death, and he was eventually venerated as a saint.