Who was the first king of England?
Who was the first king of England? 7 Minutes Read 1403 Words EN HISTORY & CULTURE Scholars say Aethelstan was likely the first king of England. But the story of his rise to power is complex. A portrait of Aethelstan, who was King of England from 924 until 939 A.D, in a book commissioned for presentation to the community of St. Cuthbert. The famous presentation picture shows Æthelstan, with bowed head, presenting the book to St. Cuthbert himself, and is an important example of the revival of figure art in manuscript painting during Æthelstan’s reign. It was written between 934 and 939. Although Aethelstan is generally agreed to be England’s first true king, a number of other figures—and factors—make that designation complicated and historically rich. Image by CBW, Alamy Stock Photo By Melissa Sartore Last updated July 29, 2025 Scholarly consensus positions Aethelstan as the first true king of England. But what makes a king? Is it authority over people? Over land? Is it some combination of t…
