Astonishing Æthelstan: Michael Wood on the 10th-century king
HistoryExtra podcast
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Ethel Stan - King of the English Isles
Ethel Stan is not very well known today. He came to the throne after the death of his father and a year-long succession crisis. The source material actually tells us the story of his reign is very thin. In reality, he's king of the English but overlord of everyone else. By force you have to pay him tribute or give your sons hostage if you've done anything wrong. That's what being the lord of Britain meant.
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