Athelstan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Athelstan
King of England
Tomb of Athelstan
Reign	2 August 924–27 October 939
Predecessor	Ælfweard
Successor	Edmund I
Born	c. 894 Wessex, England
Died	27 October 939 Gloucester, England

Britain in Athelstan's time

Athelstan (born around 894, died 27 October 939) was a very important king. He is often called the Glorious. He was the first true King of England. Athelstan ruled from 924 to 939. His time as king was very important for how England grew in the 900s.

Becoming King

Athelstan was the son of Edward the Elder. Edward was the king before him. Athelstan's grandfather was Alfred the Great. Alfred had created the Kingdom of the Anglo-Saxons. Edward also ruled Mercia, a part of England.

When King Edward died, Athelstan quickly became King of Mercia. But he was not immediately accepted as King of England. His brother, Ælfweard, had more support in England. Luckily for Athelstan, Ælfweard died soon after Edward. This made it easier for Athelstan to become the King of all England.

Expanding the Kingdom

Athelstan knew it was important to have many friends and allies. About a year after he became king, he made a special marriage. He married one of his sisters to Sithric, the Viking King of Northumbria. This was a way to make peace.

However, Sithric died only a year later. Athelstan then took control of Northumbria. This made him ruler of more land than any king before him. His kingdom was almost the same size as modern England. Other rulers in Great Britain accepted him as their king. This happened at a place called Bamburgh.

His Death

Athelstan died in Gloucester in 939. His half-brother, Edmund I, became king after him.

Images for kids

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  Statue in Tamworth of Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, with her young nephew Æthelstan

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  Silver penny of King Æthelstan

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  A sixteenth-century painting in Beverley Minster in the East Riding of Yorkshire of Æthelstan with Saint John of Beverley

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  Coin of Æthelstan Rex, small cross pattée type, London mint, moneyer Biorneard

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  Miniature of St Matthew in the Carolingian gospels presented by Æthelstan to Christ Church Priory, Canterbury

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  Alea evangelii, a board game played at Æthelstan's court

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  Charter S416 of Æthelstan for Wulfgar in 931, written by "Æthelstan A"

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  Æthelstan in a fifteenth-century stained glass window in All Souls College Chapel, Oxford

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  Empty fifteenth-century tomb of King Æthelstan at Malmesbury Abbey

See also

In Spanish: Athelstan para niños