Æthelstan Ætheling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Æthelstan Ætheling |
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|---|---|
| Born | c. 980s |
| Died | 25 June 1014 |
| Burial | Old Minster, Winchester |
| House | Wessex |
| Father | Æthelred the Unready |
| Mother | Ælfgifu of York |
Æthelstan Ætheling (Old English: Æþelstan Æþeling) was a prince in Anglo-Saxon England. He was born in the early or mid-980s and died on June 25, 1014. Æthelstan was the oldest son of King Æthelred the Unready and his first wife, Ælfgifu. This made him the heir to the throne until his death.
He first appeared in official records in 993. This was when he signed a document for his father. Æthelstan likely spent some of his childhood in a place called Æthelingadene in West Sussex. His grandmother, Ælfthryth, may have helped raise him. We don't know much about his daily life. However, he was friends with Sigeforth and Morcar. These men were important leaders, called thegns, from the Five Boroughs area.
In 1013, King Æthelred had to leave England for a short time. He went to Normandy. It's not clear what happened to Æthelstan and his brothers during this time. His brothers were Edmund Ironside and Eadwig. They probably stayed in England while King Sweyn ruled. Æthelstan's last known record is from a document dated 1013.
A Prince and His Possessions
Æthelstan was known as a "warrior prince." He owned many valuable items. These included a large collection of swords, strong war horses, and battle gear.
His Last Will
Æthelstan wrote his will on the day he died. Copies of this important document still exist today. In his will, he left his most special sword to his brother, Edmund Ironside. This sword had once belonged to Offa of Mercia, a famous king. Edmund also received some of Æthelstan's lands and other war equipment.
To his other brother, Eadwig, he gave a silver-handled sword. This was another item from his large weapon collection. Much of his remaining land and wealth was given to churches, friends, and servants. He even left gifts for his sword-polisher and his stag huntsman.
Family Connections
In his will, Æthelstan mentioned his father and grandmother. He also mentioned his foster-mother. However, he did not mention his own mother or her soul. He also didn't mention his stepmother or any of his half-brothers. This suggests there might have been some disagreements within the royal family at that time.
Æthelstan was buried at the Old Minster, Winchester. He was the first person who was not a king to be buried there since Edward the Elder's brother, Æthelweard, in 922.
See also
