|name=Athelstan
|image=
|birth_date=c. 894|birth_place=Devon, England|death_date=October 27, 939 (aged 45/46)
|death_place=Gloucester, England
|religion=
}}
'''Athelstan'''' (dc.894 - October 27, 939) [[king]] of [[England]] (924-939) is considered one of the greatest of the [[Anglo-Saxon]] kings. Being brought up as much in his aunt [[Ethelfleda]]’s [[Mercia]]n court as in his father, Edward’s, [[Wessex]] household, gave him the advantage of enjoying the support of both.
Immediately into his reign he consolidated royal power below the [[River Humber]], and by 927 had extended direct control to [[York]].<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/athelstan.shtml</ref> Ten years later he and his half-brother Edmund led a combined West Saxon Mercian force to total victory against a coalition of [[Scots]], [[Irish]] and [[Vikings]] at Brunanburh that sealed his power in the north. He maintained peace within his realm and began codification of the law, and instituted assemblies (courts) of national standing, attended by both the English and [[Welsh]] nobility. He reformed coinage to reflect the reality of a unified England and his place at its head, and enjoyed the efficiency of a well-organised administration.