"Aethelstan was chosen king by the Mercians and was hallowed at Kingston"

There were seven Saxon Kings crowned at Kingston between AD 900 and 1016. Of them Aethelstan was the most accomplished.

Aethelstan reigned for a period of 15 years. At the end of the reign he was undisputed king of England and monarch over all Britain. He brought majesty and style to the office which led him to be recognised across Europe. He was a patron of the church, ring giver to men, intellectual and warrior.  

King Aethelstan
(924-940)

He had been brought up in the Mercian court, although he was to be a West Saxon king. This made him the ideal unifier of both ancient kingdoms. William of Malmesbury (writing in 12th century) describes him as:-

"…..not beyond what is becoming in stature, and slender in body; his hair, as we ourselves have seen from his relics, flaxen, beautifully mingled with gold threads"

Coronation Stone

With the Danelaw conquered by Eadweard the Elder, his father, and Aethelflead, Lady of the Mercians, a different sort of trouble was brewing. The Norse were building a powerblock in York. Olaf Sihtricson took over in York and got the support of Guthfrith, king of the Norse in Dublin. Aethelstan wasted no time in stifling this power build up and marched straight into York forcing Olaf into Scotland.

927 - EAMONT BRIDGE in Cumbria. At this meeting, Aethelstan received the full submission of the king of Scotland, Constantine, Owain of Gwent, Hywel of Strathclyde and some "independent" Northumbrians.

Aethelstan Now minted coins which styled him as REX TOT[ius] BRIT[anniae], king of all Britain

927-931 - Successfully campaigned against independent Welsh kings.

930s - Successfully campaigned against the Cornish in Exeter.

937 - THE BATTLE OF BRUNNANBURH. Olaf, son of Guthfrith of Dublin, teamed up with the Welsh and the Scots and invaded the north of England with a massive force intent on a final encounter with the English. Aethelstan raised a massive army from both Wessex and Mercia and met them at an unkown site in the north called Brunnanburh where the victory was Aethelstan's. Olaf managed to escape back to Dublin.

940 - Aethelstan, King of England dies.