England to mark 1,100th anniversary of Æthelstan's reign

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 10:26 · Archive

England is planning to celebrate the 1,100th anniversary of Anglo-Saxon king Æthelstan being proclaimed 'King of the English' in 927.

Plans are afoot to mark England's 1,100th birthday in July 2027, on the anniversary of 12 July 927, when Anglo-Saxon monarch Æthelstan became the first to receive the title 'King of the English'. Æthelstan, grandson of Alfred the Great, achieved this milestone after defeating Vikings and bringing Northumbria under his control. He received acknowledgement from kings in Wales and Scotland, consolidating his rule across much of Britain.

Professor David Woodman of Cambridge University, author of The First King of England, is among historians pressing for the date to be specially commemorated. He is working with others towards placing a memorial for the king – a statue, plaque or portrait – in a location such as Westminster, Eamont Bridge in Cumbria where Æthelstan's authority was recognised by other rulers in 927, or Malmesbury in Wiltshire where he was buried. In Parliament, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed that Stephanie Peacock, the minister for ceremonials, would be 'very delighted' to work on the commemoration.

However, the celebration may be premature. Professor Ryan Lavelle, author of Border Land: Frontiers of Early England and professor of early medieval history at the University of Winchester, told The i Paper that while 927 was an important date, there were subsequent years up to the Norman Conquest when England became divided, making 'complete unity debatable'.

How it is being reported

• King Æthelstan founded England in the year 927. Why don’t we celebrate that anniversary? | Tom HollandNearly 1,100 years ago, the nation’s first king drove out the ‘heathen’ Vikings, declared war on starvation and made ‘Englalonde’ what it is today On 4 July, the United States celebrated its 250th birthday with all the razzmatazz and dazzle characteristic of an American public occasion. Next summer, on 12 July, England will be celebrating the 1,100th anniversary of the event that, more than any other, marked the founding of the country – but of razzmatazz and dazzle there will be, I suspect, very little. The great turning point took place on 12 July 927, beside the river Eamont in what today…The Guardian · 14 Nov, 10:00
• Get ready for England’s 1,100th birthday – but historians say there’s a catchSaxon warrior Æthelstan was first to be proclaimed 'King of the English' – now academics have joined battle over a fateful dateThe i Paper · 13 Nov, 18:08

In this story: Æthelstan · David Woodman · Ryan Lavelle · Lisa Nandy · Stephanie Peacock · England · Northumbria · Cumbria

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