Aethelstan King of Anglo/Saxon
Son of King Edward the Eldar; Æthelstan's date of birth is unknown. He inherited the kingdom upon his father's death in 924; his brother having mysteriously died a few days earlier. He was crowned in 925; but had difficulty controlling his counts outside Mercia and Wessex. He waited for the King of York to die before seizing Northumbria. Once his authority was finally recognised and accepted; a period of peace developed between the Saxons and Scotland; Strathclyde and Wales. For reasons which remain mysterious; Æthelstan decided to invade Scotland in 934; marching all the way to the far Viking north. His army was primarily made up of Welsh and Danes. In 937; his Scottish and Strathclyde enemies allied with the Irish to invade northern England. After taking the time to assemble a large army; Æthelstan crushed the coalition in the Battle of Brunanburh in 937. He suffered such great casualties that his power was weakened; and the battle was considered the bloodiest ever fought by the Anglo-Saxons. Many nobles died but the battle consolidated the unity of the English kingdom. Æthelstan retired and lived out the end of his life in a monastery.
Multi-part metal kit. Supplied unpainted and unassembled. Includes Renedra plastic base.