The First King of England is a foundational biography of 脝thelstan (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 鈥渒ingdom of the English.鈥� 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 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.
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: 鈥淐hronicula.鈥� X: @DavidWoodman45 Bluesky: @davidwoodman45.bsky.social
This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book Securing Peace in Angola and Mozambique focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda鈥檚 interviews on , wherever you get your podcasts.