Athelstan

Athelstan (895-939), king of Wessex (924-939), and the first monarch to take the title of king of England. The grandson of King Alfred, he was crowned at Kingston-upon-Thames and seems to have possessed both great ambition and talent. It is supposed that his design was to unite, under his personal rule, the entire island of Britain. On the death of his brother-in-law Sihtric (reigned about 921-926), king of Northumbria, about 926, Athelstan took possession of his dominions. The other kings of the island submitted to him, in some instances voluntarily, and he styled himself Rex totius Britanniae (King of all Britain). A league, composed of Welsh, Scottish, and Danish allies, was formed against him. A fierce and decisive battle was fought (937) at Brunanburh, in which the allies were utterly defeated. After this the renown of Athelstan spread to the Continent. He exhibited a deep interest in the welfare of his people, improved the laws, and encouraged the translation of the Bible into the vernacular.