Year 6 - History
Athelstan and the making of England
The Vikings: how did Viking settlement change Britain?
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about how Viking settlement and the Anglo-Saxon response to it led to the making of England. They learn about the roles of Aethelflaed, Aethelred, Edward, and Athelstan and also examine how Aethelflaed's story has only recently received more scholarly attention.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe how Athelstan united his kingdoms to create England.
Key Notes
- In 925, Edward's son, Athelstan, was consecrated King of Mercia and Wessex with a crown: a new ceremony of coronation.
- In 927, Athelstan captured the last Viking stronghold, York and began to mint coins bearing the title 'rex Anglorum'.
- The north had not had a southern king; Athelstan assembled the rulers of Scotland and Northumbria to submit to him.
- The Welsh kings already recognised the overlordship of the King of Wessex.
- Athelstan was now the overlord of all of Britain and some historians have called him the first 'King of England'.
Vocabulary To Learn
- consecrated: to be consecrated, a ceremony takes place to show you are dedicated to the service and worship of God
- crown: a crown is worn by a monarch (King or Queen) as a symbol of authority
- submit: to submit means to accept the authority of another person
- overlordship: overlordship means to have great power or authority over other lords
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think Athelstan easily united the kingdoms to create England.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
In 925, Edward's son, Athelstan, was consecrated King of Mercia and Wessex with a crown: a new ceremony of coronation. In 927, Athelstan captured the last Viking stronghold, York and began to mint coins bearing the title 'rex Anglorum'.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'consecrated'
to be consecrated, a ceremony takes place to show you are dedicated to the service and worship of God.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Pupils may think Athelstan easily united the kingdoms to create England. Correction: It is likely that Aethelstan was able to achieve so much due to the success and influence of his father, Edward, and aunt, Aethelflaed.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 6 History guide library.