The Resistance: Alfred and the Danelaw · Spring Term

Athelstan: The First King of All England

Following the campaigns of Alfred's grandson to unite the kingdoms into a single nation.

About This Topic

Athelstan, the grandson of Alfred the Great, is often overlooked, but he was the first leader to truly be called 'King of All England'. In AD 937, he won a massive victory at the Battle of Brunanburh against a combined army of Vikings, Scots, and Strathclyde Britons. This victory secured the borders of England and made Athelstan one of the most powerful rulers in Europe.

For Year 5 students, Athelstan's reign represents the culmination of the dream started by Alfred. They explore how he used law, trade, and even international marriages to unify the different Anglo-Saxon and Viking regions. This connects to National Curriculum targets for political history and the development of the English nation. This topic comes alive when students can trace Athelstan's journey from a prince of Wessex to the 'King of the English' on a map of a united Britain.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the military strategies employed by Athelstan leading to the Battle of Brunanburh.
• Explain the significance of the Battle of Brunanburh in consolidating English unity.
• Justify Athelstan's claim to the title 'King of the English' based on his political and military achievements.
• Compare Athelstan's methods of unification with those of his grandfather, Alfred the Great.

Before You Start

Alfred the Great and the Viking Invasions

Why: Students need to understand Alfred's resistance and efforts to defend Wessex to grasp the context of Athelstan's subsequent unification.

The Anglo-Saxon Kingdoms

Why: Familiarity with the pre-unification political landscape of England is necessary to understand Athelstan's achievement in bringing these kingdoms together.

Key Vocabulary

Danelaw	A historical region in England where Viking law and customs predominated, established during the period of Danish invasions.
Brunanburh	The site of a decisive battle in AD 937 where Athelstan defeated a coalition of Viking, Scottish, and Strathclyde forces.
Witan	An Anglo-Saxon council of elders and advisors who assisted the king, playing a role in succession and law making.
Heptarchy	The seven Anglo-Saxon kingdoms that existed in England before the 10th century, which Athelstan worked to unite.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Battle of Brunanburh

Groups are given 'battle reports' from both the English and the Viking/Scottish sides. They must piece together the tactics used and explain why this battle was so much more important than a normal raid, focusing on the fact that it was a fight for the very existence of 'England'.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Role Play: The First King's Court

Students take on roles as representatives from different parts of the new 'England' (e.g., a Viking merchant from York, a Saxon Thane from Kent, a monk from Northumbria). They must all swear loyalty to Athelstan and present a 'gift' that represents their region, showing how the country was coming together.

⏱ 40 min·Whole Class

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Think-Pair-Share: What makes a 'King of All England'?

Students are given a list of Athelstan's achievements (winning battles, making laws, printing coins with his face on them). They think about which one was most important for making people feel like they belonged to one country, discuss with a partner, and then share their choice with the class.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Real-World Connections

Historians and archaeologists, like those at the British Museum, study ancient texts and artifacts to reconstruct the events and political landscape of Athelstan's reign, informing our understanding of early British history.

Modern political scientists analyze historical unification processes, such as Athelstan's consolidation of power, to understand the challenges and strategies involved in nation-building and maintaining national identity.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Alfred the Great was the first King of England.

What to Teach Instead

Alfred was 'King of the West Saxons' and later 'King of the Anglo-Saxons', but he never ruled the whole country. Athelstan was the first to actually control the north and have his title 'Rex Anglorum' (King of the English) accepted by everyone. A 'title timeline' helps students see this gradual progression.

Common Misconception

Once Athelstan won, the Vikings just disappeared.

What to Teach Instead

The Vikings stayed and became part of the new England, but they were now subjects of the English king rather than independent rulers. Peer discussion about 'integration' helps students understand that the Viking influence continued even after their political power faded.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a map of Britain in the 10th century. Ask them to draw Athelstan's likely route to Brunanburh and label the key kingdoms involved in the conflict. Then, have them write one sentence explaining why this battle was important.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Was Athelstan truly the first King of England, or was he simply the most successful ruler of his time?' Facilitate a class discussion where students use evidence from the lesson to support their arguments, considering the political and military context.

Quick Check

Present students with three statements about Athelstan's reign, such as 'Athelstan inherited a fully unified England,' 'The Battle of Brunanburh was fought against the Welsh,' and 'Athelstan used laws and royal charters to solidify his rule.' Ask students to identify each statement as true or false and provide a brief justification for their answer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Battle of Brunanburh so famous?

At the time, it was called 'the Great Battle'. It was a massive conflict where Athelstan defeated a huge alliance of his enemies. If he had lost, England would likely have been split up again into small Viking and Scottish kingdoms. It is often called the 'birthplace of English nationalism'.

How did Athelstan unite the different people of England?

He didn't just use war. He created a single system of law for the whole country, and he made sure that all coins had his name and face on them, so everyone knew who was in charge. He also held large 'national' meetings of the Witan where leaders from all over the country had to attend.

How can active learning help students understand Athelstan's reign?

Active learning, like the 'First King's Court' role play, helps students visualize the *diversity* of the new England. By playing characters from different regions, they realize that 'uniting' a country isn't just about a king saying so, it's about people from different cultures (like Vikings and Saxons) agreeing to work together under one leader.

Was Athelstan famous outside of England?

Yes! He was one of the most famous kings in Europe. He sent his sisters to marry powerful kings and emperors in France and Germany, and he was known as a great collector of holy relics and books. He made England a major player on the European stage for the first time.