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King
Athelstan
A Grandson
To Be Proud Of
The Alliance
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© copyright Glen Ray Crack -
Battle - East Sussex - United Kingdom
Submitted 10th January 1998
1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
thelstan
or Aethelstan, son of Edward the Elder and grandson of Alfred the great,
continued in the same fashion as his forebears. If Aethelfleda had not
died when she did, she probably would have totally eliminated the Danish
threat for ever. Had Alfred the Great continued squeezing the Danes,
the children and grandchildren would not have had this problem. Forgiveness
seemed to be endemic in this family. Following unrest in Yorkshire around
926, Athelstan with his forces marched north. Northumbria soon submitted.
The king of the Scots, realising that he was probably the next conquest,
also submitted. Athelstan was called to invade Scotland in 933 to quell
a revolt.
n
937, a most unusual event occurred. Most of the rulers of Northern Britain
joined forces to challenge a power of Athelstan. An unlikely alliance
of Danes, Celts, Scots and probably other aggrieved parties. Under the
leadership of Constantine, king of the Scots and Olaf, king of Dublin.
Athelstan challenged the alliance to do battle. He was said to have
been given the honour of deciding the time and the place. Two days of
bloody fighting resulted in a English victory. The exact location of
this battle is unclear, but is known as the battle of Brunanburgh. The
defeated leaders retreated back to their kingdoms with their tails between
their legs. Athelstan could now be considered the king of all England.
This victory did not go unnoticed on the continent. He developed a reputation
of being a great leader, and one to be feared. A message he would like
the Scandinavian countries to heed.