The First King of England: Æthelstan and the Birth of a Kingdom

by David Woodman

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691249490
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	09/02/2025
Pages:	344
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

David Woodman is Professor and Fellow in History at Robinson College, University of Cambridge. His books include Edward the Confessor: The Sainted King and The Chronicle of John of Worcester, Volume IV: “Chronicula.” X: @DavidWoodman45 Bluesky: @davidwoodman45.bsky.social

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“England’s founding father deserves this book: at once scholarly and accessible, attentive to every last morsel of detail yet possessed of a thrillingly epic sweep. David Woodman has done Æthelstan proud.”—Tom Holland, author of Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind

“A fascinating, meticulously researched, and vital new study of the man who has the best claim to be the first true king of England. David Woodman takes us as close as we can ever hope to get to the personality of Æthelstan, and in doing so shines a light on an intriguing and formative period in British history.”—Dan Jones, author Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England’s Greatest Warrior King

“A magisterial account not only of England’s first king, but of the kingdom itself. Beautifully written and filled with insights, it sheds new light on Æthelstan, his life, and his times.”—Peter Frankopan, author of The Silk Roads: A New History of the World

“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

“In this excellent book, David Woodman shines light on Æthelstan while elegantly and expertly showing how historians have woven together a wide and sometimes challenging range of materials to arrive at their conclusions. The First King of England masterfully draws the reader back into the turbulent tenth century and demonstrates how medieval history ought to be done.”—Rory Naismith, author of Citadel of the Saxons: The Rise of Early London

“Æthelstan is without a doubt the most important king of pre-Conquest England. At the hands of David Woodman, he has finally received his due. In engaging and accessible prose, Woodman presents a picture of a powerful but deeply pious monarch, whose reign would completely transform England—and Britain more widely.”—Levi Roach, author of Empires of the Normans: Makers of Europe, Conquerors of Asia