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Called
the Glorious, was the King of England from 924 to 939. He was the son
of King Edward the Elder, and nephew of Ethelfleda (Ęthelflęd) of Mercia.
His reign is frequently overlooked, with much focus going to Alfred the
Great before him, and Edgar after. However, his reign was of fundamental
importance to political developments in the 10th century.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which is so vocal during the reigns of Alfred
and Edward the Elder, falls into relative silence during
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Athelstan's
reign, and what entries survive are retrospective. A few references tell
us of his military campaigns, the longest entry being a poem about the
Battle of Brunanburh, probably composed in his successor Edmund's reign.
Other narrative sources from across Europe, though, provide us with more
information. The Annals of Flodoard contain several references to Athelstan's
dealing with the rulers of west and east Francia, as does the Chronicle
of Nantes. William of Malmesbury, however, writing in the early 12th century,
provides us with the greatest detail. His work might even draw on a (now
lost) Vita Ęthelstani, as Michael Wood argues, but caution is called for
as this case has yet to be proven and William's account can rarely be
verified.
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