Aethelstan was the first King of England, ruling from 927 to 939. The son of Edward the Elder (reign 899-924) and grandson of Alfred the Great (reign 871-899), he inherited the southern-based Kingdom of the Anglo-Saxons in 924 before capturing Viking York in 927 and establishing rule over northern England. He would do much to unite the various peoples of his kingdom, including the Mercians, West Saxons, Danes, and Northumbrians, under his rule by holding national councils, reforming laws, and encouraging unity through a common Christian faith.
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Timeline
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c. 900Aelfwynn, daughter of Aethelred, Lord of the Mercians and Aethelflaed is born; Aethelflaed's nephew Prince Aethelstan of Wessex comes to live with her at Mercian court.
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924 - 927Reign of Aethelstan as King of the Anglo-Saxons before becoming first King of England.
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937The Battle of Brunanburh; Aethelstan defeats coalition from Britain, Ireland, and Scotland; consolidates rule.
