The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records the event with rare poetic intensity, describing it as a "great battle, greater than any fought before in this land."
"Never before was there such slaughter in this island, since from the east Angles and Saxons came up over the broad sea..."
Æthelstan, along with his half-brother Edmund, led the English army into this fateful clash. The fighting was brutal, involving tens of thousands of warriors. The coalition of Scots, Vikings, and Britons suffered a devastating defeat. Anlaf escaped, but Constantine’s son was killed, along with many nobles.
This victory secured Æthelstan's position and ensured that the unification of England would hold — arguably creating the first truly English kingdom.
Why Brunanburh Was Forgotten
Despite its immense significance, Brunanburh faded into historical obscurity. Later chroniclers paid more attention to the Norman Conquest and the kings of the high Middle Ages. Even in modern school curricula, Æthelstan and his great battle are seldom mentioned.
Michael Wood laments this neglect, arguing that Brunanburh deserves the same status as Hastings or Agincourt. He highlights that Æthelstan’s vision of a unified Christian kingdom, founded on law and literacy, laid the foundation for medieval and modern England.
In interviews and writings, Wood stresses that Æthelstan was "a brilliant war leader, diplomat, and lawmaker — possibly the greatest king we’ve never heard of." His court was a beacon of learning and culture, hosting scholars from across Europe and issuing legal codes that would influence future generations.
Æthelstan’s Legacy
Æthelstan died in 939 AD, just two years after Brunanburh. He was buried at Malmesbury Abbey, a site he favored for its learning and spiritual importance. Although his reign was short, it was transformative.
Without Æthelstan, there might never have been a single Kingdom of England. Without Brunanburh, the dream of unity could have been shattered before it truly began.
Conclusion: Remembering Brunanburh
Thanks to historians like Michael Wood, the story of Æthelstan and the Battle of Brunanburh is being revived. Their work reminds us that the shaping of England was not a single moment, but a series of decisive actions by visionary leaders whose names we should remember.
The clash at Brunanburh was not just a military victory — it was the battle for England’s future. In that bloody field, the idea of a united English kingdom was defended and secured. And through Michael Wood’s lens, we are reminded that history’s forgotten corners often hold its most defining moments. shutdown123