The First King of England: Æthelstan and the Birth of a Kingdom, by David Woodman

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

From one of today’s leading historians of the early medieval period, an enthralling chronicle of Æthelstan, England’s founder king whose achievements of 927 rival the Norman Conquest of 1066 in shaping Britain as we know it

The First King of England is a foundational biography of Æthelstan (d. 939), the early medieval king whose territorial conquests and shrewd statesmanship united the peoples, languages, and cultures that would come to be known as the “kingdom of the English.”

In this panoramic work, David Woodman blends masterful storytelling with the latest scholarship to paint a multifaceted portrait of this immensely important but neglected figure, a man celebrated in his day as much for his benevolence, piety, and love of learning as he was for his ambitious reign.

Set against the backdrop of warring powers in early medieval Europe, The First King of England sheds new light on Æthelstan’s early life, his spectacular military victories and the innovative way he governed his kingdom, his fostering of the church, the deft political alliances he forged with Europe’s royal houses, and his death and enduring legacy. 

It begins with the reigns of Alfred the Great and Edward the Elder, Æthelstan’s grandfather and father, describing how they consolidated and expanded the “kingdom of the Anglo-Saxons.” But it was Æthelstan who would declare himself the first king of all England when, in 927, he conquered the viking kingdom at York, required the submission of a Scottish king, and secured an annual tribute from the Welsh kings.

Beautifully illustrated and breathtaking in scope, The First King of England is the most comprehensive, up-to-date biography of Æthelstan available, bringing a magisterial richness of detail to the life of a consequential British monarch whose strategic and political sophistication was unprecedented for his time.

“Bringing to life the reign of one of the most important English monarchs, Woodman expertly weaves his way through the tangled threads of evidence to explore the many dimensions of Æthelstan’s rule, from his military leadership and international diplomacy to his religious and intellectual initiatives. This engaging and beautifully written book demonstrates the fascinating range of Æthelstan’s achievements.”—Katy Cubitt, University of East Anglia

“In this lucid and learned account, Woodman places enigmatic Æthelstan at the center of British and continental history during a formative moment in the forging of Europe. It will find a wide readership among experts and enthusiasts alike.”—Justine Firnhaber-Baker, author of House of Lilies: The Dynasty That Made Medieval France

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About the Author

David Woodman is Professor of History at Robinson College, Cambridge. He is a historian of the early medieval period, broadly speaking of the years c. 600-c. 1200, with particular interests in the tenth—twelfth centuries. David regularly takes part in podcasts and writes for publications such as History Today and the BBC History Magazine, and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, the Royal Society of Antiquaries of London and of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. He has held visiting research positions at Trinity College, Dublin, and in the United States at Harvard, Columbia and New York  Universities. Find out more from www.dwoodman.co.uk/ and follow David on Twitter @DavidWoodman45 and Bluesky @davidwoodman45.bsky.social