One of Æthelstan’s greatest achievements was his victory at the Battle of Brunanburh in 937, where he defeated an alliance of Scots, Norse, and Strathclyde Britons. This victory solidified his authority over the whole of England and secured his reputation as a formidable leader. Æthelstan’s reign also saw the expansion of England's influence over Wales, Scotland, and the Viking-controlled areas of the north.
Æthelstan's reign was not just a military triumph; it was also an era of cultural and religious significance. He actively sought to strengthen the Christian faith and fostered relations with the papacy. Æthelstan also continued the educational and legal reforms initiated by Alfred, establishing a legal framework that helped stabilize his kingdom.
Furthermore, Æthelstan was a great patron of the arts and learning, and his reign marked the beginning of a more cosmopolitan England. He was known for his coinage, which depicted not only English kingship but also imagery that emphasized the unity of the realm. Æthelstan’s reign, in many ways, brought the Anglo-Saxon world into closer alignment with the broader European Christian community.
Alfred vs. Æthelstan: A Comparison of Legacies
While both Alfred and Æthelstan were great kings, the scope of their legacies differed in several key ways. Alfred's influence was largely regional, focused on the defense and preservation of Wessex and the creation of a stable, Christian kingdom. His reforms were instrumental in setting the stage for the consolidation of England, but the political unity he envisioned was only realized after his death.
Æthelstan, on the other hand, achieved what Alfred could not: the actual unification of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms into a single realm. Æthelstan’s success in subduing rival kings and consolidating power over all of England marked a critical turning point in English history. While Alfred’s reign was defined by the defense of Wessex and the struggle for survival, Æthelstan’s was characterized by the pursuit of a greater vision: a unified kingdom that could stand alongside other European powers.
In terms of military achievement, Æthelstan arguably surpassed Alfred. While Alfred’s victories were crucial to the survival of England, Æthelstan’s conquest of the north and his decisive victory at Brunanburh established him as the first truly dominant ruler of England. His reign also set the stage for future English monarchs to build upon, as he provided a foundation for both the political and military unity of the kingdom.
However, Alfred's legacy was more than just political and military. His contributions to education, culture, and law ensured that his influence lived on long after his death. If Æthelstan’s reign had been even more successful or longer, it is possible that his legacy could have eclipsed Alfred's in terms of political and territorial achievements. But Alfred’s broader impact on the cultural and spiritual life of England might have prevented his grandson from ever fully surpassing him in the eyes of posterity.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Complementary Greatness
Ultimately, the question of whether Æthelstan could have been greater than Alfred is not easily answered. Both kings were remarkable in their own right, and their legacies complement each other. Alfred’s foresight and wisdom laid the groundwork for Æthelstan’s success, while Æthelstan’s military and political achievements fulfilled the dream of a unified England. Together, they form the cornerstone of English identity, and it is in their combined legacy that we find the true greatness of Anglo-Saxon England.
While Æthelstan may have been the first king of all England, it is Alfred’s enduring influence on the culture, law, and education of the kingdom that ensures his place as one of the most significant monarchs in English history. Both men were “great” in different ways, and together, they shaped the future of a nation that would come to define the history of the British Isles. shutdown123