He sent two sisters to Otto I, the Holy Roman Emperor telling him to choose which he fancied. He was determined to forge links with Europe which he did by marrying his four half-sisters to European royalty. He could now claim to be King of All England. At the battle of Brunanburh Athelstan defeated them decisively. However, their memories were short and with the Danish King Olaf they rose against Athelstan. At Eamont Bridge near Penrith on 12th July 927 kings of Scotland and Strathclyde acknowledged him as overlord by swearing allegiance. He subdued a rebellion in Cornwall and similarly subdued the Welsh who paid him annual tribute of gold, silver and 25,000 oxen. He is recorded as never having lost a battle and was called ‘Athelstan the Glorious’. He soon displayed the strong character and leadership qualities that enabled him to unite England. About a year later on 4th September 925 Athelstan was crowned King of Saxons and Angles at Kingston – upon- Thames situated on the border between Mercia and Wessex. Aelfweard followed his father to the grave within a month. The West Saxons however proclaimed as king Aelfweard ,Edward’s second eldest son – but the eldest from his second wife and the first born to Edward as reigning king. When his father ,King Edward died in 924 Athelstan being the eldest son was quickly proclaimed their king by the Mercians. He also describes how handsome he was ‘A boy of astonishing beauty and graceful manners’. William of Malmesbury records how fond the king was of Athelstan and he made him a knight at an early age giving him a sword with a golden scabbard. He was illegitimate, at the time of his birth, his mother was Egwina the King’s mistress although she later became his queen. Athelstan was the son of Edward the Elder and grandson of Alfred the Great.
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