Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
Posted on 11/04/2025 6:59:47 PM PST by SunkenCiv
A groundbreaking new biography of Æthelstan marks 1,100 years since his coronation in 925AD, reasserts his right to be called the first king of England, explains why he isn't better known and highlights his many overlooked achievements. The book's author, Professor David Woodman, is campaigning for greater public recognition of Æthelstan's creation of England in 927AD.
The Battle of Hastings in 1066 and the signing of Magna Carta in 1215 are two of the most famous years in English history. But very few people know what happened in 925 or 927AD. Professor David Woodman, the University of Cambridge-based author of The First King of England, a groundbreaking new biography of Æthelstan, is determined to change this and not just with his book. He -- and other historians -- are planning a fitting memorial for England's first and unfairly overlooked king.
"As we approach the anniversaries of Æthelstan's coronation in 925 and the birth of England itself in 927, I would like his name to become much better known. He really deserves that," says Woodman, a Professor at Robinson College and Cambridge's Faculty of History.
Woodman is working with other historians* towards a memorial for the king, which could be a statue, plaque or portrait in a location like Westminster, Eamont Bridge (where Æthelstan's authority in 927 was recognised by other British rulers) or Malmesbury (where he was buried). Woodman is also calling for the history of Æthelstan's reign to appear more routinely on the school curriculum.
(Excerpt) Read more at eurekalert.org ...
|
|
Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. |
Professor David Woodman with the portrait of Æthelstan at the The Parker Library, Corpus Christi College, CambridgeCredit: The Parker Library, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
“Woodman is working with other historians towards a memorial for the king, which could be a statue, plaque or portrait...”
By the time they get around to doing this he’ll be shown facing Mecca.
How forgetful of them!
How does one pronounce Æthelstan?
ath-ull-stan
Æ - called “ash” - was pronounced as a short a, as in “cat.”
So ATH-el-stahn.
Eeethelstan.
His biggest fault was he never married or had children.
Oddly, he was apparently never called “bretwalda” - “Briton-ruler,” sovereign over all of the Saxon heptarchy.
It’s odd, since he ruled a long time, but he probably had money problems, or couldn’t marry dynastically without tickin’ off every other dynast.
Hey! Who died and made him king?
No one.
A moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at him.
First Peasant: Who’s that there?
Second Peasant: I don’t know... Must be a king.
First Peasant: Why?
Second Peasant: He hasn’t got shit all over him.
“If she weighs the same as a duck, then she is made of wood.”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
