King Aethelstan Family Tree & Biography (895-939)

 

King Aethelstan was a member of the House of Wessex. He was the eldest son of King Edward the Elder by his first wife Ecgwynn. He realised his grandfather’s dream of uniting England under one king 924.

 

King Aethelstan Family Tree Image showing:

grandparents, parents, siblings and half-siblings

 

 

King Aelfweard Family Tree in Table Form showing:

grandparents, parents, siblings and half-siblings

 

 

King Aethelstan Short Biography

Early Years

King Aethelstan was born in 895 (exact date not known) the eldest child of King Edward the Elder and Ecgwynn of Mercia. There has always been dispute as to whether Edward and Ecgwynn were married and historians are still divided on the subject. After Edward married Aelfflaed in 899, Aethelstan was raised by his aunt, Aethelflaed in Mercia.

On 26th October 899, King Alfred died and Aethelstan’s father, Edward, became King. Edward spent much of his reign in battle against his cousin, Aethelwold who had been passed over when Alfred became King. Edward also faced invasions by the Vikings.

Edward wanted to fulfil his father’s ambition of ruling over a united England but was unable to take Northumbria from the Danes. King Edward the Elder died on 17th July 924 fighting a Welsh-Mercian rebellion.

King of England

There is some dispute as to whether Aethelstan became King immediately after the death of his father on 17th July 924. It is believed that Aethelstan’s half-brother Aelfweard may have become King on his father’s death. Aelfweard died on 2nd August 924 and Aethelstan may have succeeded at that point. He was crowned the following year at Kingston upon Thames by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Aethelstan was determined to fulfil his grandfather’s dream and unite England. He married one of his half-sisters to Sigtryggr, the Viking ruler of Northumbria to promote peace with the Danes.

When Sigtryggr died, his successor did not support the alliance so Aethelstan invaded Northumbria and took York. Soon afterwards he was recognised as ruler of Northumbria by the Kings of Scotland and Strathclyde.

The rulers of Wales paid homage to him the same year. In 937 Aethelstan was victorious at the Battle of Brunaburh which saw Constantine of Scotland, Owain of Strathclyde and Olaf Guthfrithson of Dublin defeated. The success saw Aethelstan realise his grandfather’s dream of uniting all of England.

Aethelstan did not marry and had no children. When he died on 27th October 939 he was succeeded by his half brother, Edmund. 

 

Published Apr 21 2022 @ 10:28 am – Updated – May 21, 2024 @ 2:06 pm