Halloran, Kevin (October 2005). "The Brunanburh Campaign: A Reappraisal" (PDF). The Scottish Historical Review. Edinburgh University Press. 84 (218): 133–148. doi: 10.3366/shr.2005.84.2.133. JSTOR 25529849. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016 . Retrieved 6 April 2015. Chronicon". In The Battle of Brunanburh. A Casebook. Ed. Michael Livingston. University of Exeter Press. 2011. pp. 48–49 The location of the battlefield is unknown [18] and has been the subject of lively debate among historians since at least the 17th century. [49] Over forty locations have been proposed, from the southwest of England to Scotland, [50] [51] although most historians agree that a location in northern England is the most plausible. [52] [13] Narrator: And just as Alfred had predicted, Athelstan became a great king. He helped the poor and passed laws to make the kingdom safer… He built churches and monasteries, promoted learning and had The Bible translated into English… It is not difficult to see why Athelstan would have been a prized slave for a man like Ragnar, as he had intimate knowledge of the territory that Ragnar planned to raid. However, Athelstan also has the advantage that he can share that information with Ragnar because he speaks the Viking tongue.

Martha Hillier, who co-wrote Seven Kings Must Die, also supported Bernard Cornwell’s theory, saying that many voices suggested that Athelstan might actually have been gay. In any case, Athelstan retained control over most of what is now England, save for, technically, the Celtic kingdom of Cornwall. Brunanburh has been called one of the most important battles in British history. Livingston, Michael (2021). Never Greater Slaughter: Brunanburh and the Birth of England. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781472849373. Edward had remarried after the death or possibly disgrace of Athelstan’s mother, and his eldest son was now no longer his sole or primary heir. Wessex was left to Elfweard, a son by his new wife – while Athelstan had to be content with the poorer northern Kingdom of Mercia, which had recently been re-conquered.The 12th-century chronicler William of Malmesbury wrote that 'n o one more just or more learned ever governed the kingdom'. It is a verdict shared by modern historians, who generally regard Athelstan as the one Saxon king who can be reasonably compared to his grandfather Alfred the Great. a b Cavill, Paul. ”The Place-Name Debate". In The Battle of Brunanburh. A Casebook. Ed. Michael Livingston. University of Exeter Press. 2011. pp. 331–335

It is also known that Christianity caused conflict in communities as followers of the Norse religion and new Christian religion battled between themselves. So, the reaction of Floki and other characters to the Christian influence of Athelstan also rings true. In 927 CE, Athelstan conquered the last Viking kingdom, York. Thus, he became the first Anglo-Saxon king of all of England. Frontispiece of Bede’s Life of St Cuthbert, showing King Athelstan presenting a copy of the book to the saint himself What Was Athelstan Famous For? Eadmer of Canterbury. ”Vita Odonis". In The Battle of Brunanburh. A Casebook. Ed. Michael Livingston. University of Exeter Press. 2011. pp. 50–53Further information: Government in Anglo-Saxon England Administration [ edit ] A sixteenth-century painting in Beverley Minster in the East Riding of Yorkshire of Æthelstan with Saint John of Beverley Aelfweard claimed control of Wessex while Athelstan claimed control of Mercia. These were the two kingdoms under Edward’s rule at the time of his death. It is unknown whether he wanted them divided between his sons. However, to Athelstan’s great fortune, Aelfweard died three weeks after his father. Athelstan then captured Wessex but he did not have much support there. It took him several months to be crowned king of Wessex and Mercia because of the opposition he faced in Wessex.

Egil's Saga is an Icelandic saga written in Old Norse in 1220–40, which recounts a battle at "Vínheidi" (Vin-heath) by "Vínuskóga" (Vin-wood); it is generally accepted that this refers to the Battle of Brunanburh. [41] Egil's Saga contains information not found in other sources, such as military engagements prior to the battle, Æthelstan's use of Viking mercenaries, the topology of the battlefield, the position of Anlaf's and Æthelstan's headquarters, and the tactics and unfolding of events during the battle. [42] Historians such as Sarah Foot argue that Egil's Saga may contain elements of truth but is not a historically reliable narrative. [41] a b Symeon of Durham. ”Libellus de Exordio". In The Battle of Brunanburh. A Casebook. Ed. Michael Livingston. University of Exeter Press. 2011. pp. 54–55

Athelstan was an able administrator and made many good laws, which combated theft, oppression and fraud and mitigated severity to young offenders. He was charitable and popular and like his great-grandfather, Ethelwulf made provisions for his poorer subjects. Athelstan directed that each of the manors owned by the crown should be subject to an annual charge, which should be used to relieve the poor and the destitute. The Annals of Ulster refer to him as 'a pillar of dignity in the western world'. Wood, Michael (1999). "Tinsley Wood". In Search of England. London. pp. 203–221. ISBN 9780520225824. {{ cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher ( link) Seven Kings Must Die introduced a very different Athelstan from the little boy in The Last Kingdom’s Fifth season despite retaining Harry Gilby to play the character. One of the most interesting things about the boy king was his sexuality. The self-loathing gay king made Athelstan a pitiful character at the beginning of the film, but it has also left many fans wondering whether the real-life Athelstan was gay. According to Alfred Smyth, the original form of the name Bromswold, Bruneswald, could fit with Brunanburh and other variants of the name. [91]