Athelstan, the grandson of Alfred the Great, ascended to the throne of Wessex in 925 and is widely regarded as the first true King of England. Through a combination of military campaigns and diplomatic alliances, he gradually united the various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms under his rule, creating a unified kingdom that stretched from Northumbria to Cornwall. Athelstan's reign was marked by significant advances in law, administration, and culture. He introduced a standardized system of weights and measures, reformed the currency, and issued a comprehensive code of laws known as the Laws of Athelstan. He also encouraged the growth of learning and scholarship, establishing a court that attracted scholars from across Europe.
