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鈥攖welfth centuries
Set against the backdrop of warring powers in early medieval Europe, The First King of England sheds new light on 脝thelstan鈥檚 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鈥檚 royal houses, and his death and enduring legacy. It begins with the reigns of Alfred the Great and Edward the Elder, 脝thelstan鈥檚 grandfather and father, describing how they consolidated and expanded the 鈥渒ingdom of the Anglo-Saxons.鈥� But it was 脝thelstan 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 脝thelstan 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.