English Monarch. Born the son of Eadward I, King of Wessex and Queen Ecgwyn he was largely raised in Mercia in his aunt Aethelfled's court, which he controlled after her death. He succeeded to the Wessex throne in September 925 at about age 30, following the very brief reign of his brother, Elfward. Following the death of his brother-in-law, king of Northumbria, Aethelstan took over his lands. He claimed lordship over all Britannia marking the coins minted during his reign with the motto "king of the whole of Britain." He destroyed the Danish stronghold at York, received an oath of alligence from the Welsh, and drove the Cornish west of the Tamar River. In 934 he invaded Scotland as well. In 937, however, an alliance against him led by Constantine II, King of Scots, and including the Welsh of Strathclyde, and Irish Viking chieftains threatened. At the Battle of Brunanburh, Aethelstan and his half-brother, Edmund, destroyed the joint force arrayed against them. He died, unmarried, two years later at Gloucester at about age 44.
English Monarch. Born the son of Eadward I, King of Wessex and Queen Ecgwyn he was largely raised in Mercia in his aunt Aethelfled's court, which he controlled after her death. He succeeded to the Wessex throne in September 925 at about age 30, following the very brief reign of his brother, Elfward. Following the death of his brother-in-law, king of Northumbria, Aethelstan took over his lands. He claimed lordship over all Britannia marking the coins minted during his reign with the motto "king of the whole of Britain." He destroyed the Danish stronghold at York, received an oath of alligence from the Welsh, and drove the Cornish west of the Tamar River. In 934 he invaded Scotland as well. In 937, however, an alliance against him led by Constantine II, King of Scots, and including the Welsh of Strathclyde, and Irish Viking chieftains threatened. At the Battle of Brunanburh, Aethelstan and his half-brother, Edmund, destroyed the joint force arrayed against them. He died, unmarried, two years later at Gloucester at about age 44.
Bio by: Iola
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