An Aussie Mug's Guide to - England's Medieval Kings of the Middle Ages.

The Anglo-Saxons

Part 1

The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.
Thucydides
(460-400BC)

THE ANGLO-SAXONS & THE FIRST KING OF THE KINGDOMS OF THE ENGLISH

The House of Wessex

KING ÆTHELSTAN
....had a twelve year reign as King of the Kingdoms of the English from 927AD to 939AD, beginning when he was around thirty three. He was also known as Athelstan, Aðalsteinn (Old Norse), Æðelstān (Old English)

Æthelstan (I'll name him Stan, after my late father) was born in Wessex circa 894AD, the eldest child and only son of Prince Edward The Elder and Ecgwynn. His name came from old Norse meaning noble stone and that was fitting because he became Britain's first Royal rock star! Æthelstan's birth date is taken from the writings of the well known twelfth century historian, William of Malmesbury, who says he was thirty years of age at his first coronation in 924AD, so I'm trusting Bill on that one.

Red & Flaed - Details of the lads early days are virtually nonexistent until his father sent him to live in Mercia with his Aunt and Uncle, Lord Æthelred and Lady Æthelflaed. Young Stan was educated there and one of his tutors was likely John The Old Saxon. I wonder if John's father was John The Very Old Saxon, probably not because I just made that up!

Aethelstan's schooling included subjects such as Latin and religious studies, two very exciting Medieval standards I'm sure ;) Perhaps he looked forward to his military training after that, until he found out he'd be joining Mercian campaigns?
A poet of the day wrote of his schooling and training;
...Patient, he bore their rigid rules, and drinking deep of science mild, passed his first years unlike a child. Next clothed in youth's bewitching charms, studied the harsher lore of arms, which soon confessed his knowledge keen, as after in the sovereign seen.....

Lady Flaed was Edward The Elder's sister and both were children of King Alfred the Great. Her husband Red was the Lord of Mercia, but he suffered some long term health issues and when his condition took the proverbial dive Æthelflaed was basically left running the show. You could say Flaed was Queen of Mercia and the Saxons and that was certainly the case after her hubby turned up his toes!

Æthelstan was greatly influenced by his Aunt who became a much revered leader in her own right. An example of how revered, well, the Annuls of Ulster (Ireland) even mentioned her death, something that was generally reserved for Kings or Irish nobility. Stan only rated two mentions and he was the first King of the English!