Other claims on date and leadership
There are other claimants to the start date - reflecting the evolution of the nation.
Egbert was probably the first to claim the title bretwalda - Ruler of Britain early in the ninth century following the battle of Ellandum defeating Mercia.
Egbert was probably the first to claim the title bretwalda - Ruler of Britain early in the ninth century following the battle of Ellandum defeating Mercia.
Alfred the Great
Alfred the Great was Egbert's grandson and the most well known Saxon King.
It is probably during his time that the concept of England began to be defined. Alfred was the first King of the West Saxons to style himself "King of the Anglo-Saxons".
However, he did not realise it himself and it was arguably his own grandson, Athelstan, who achieved this ideal.
It is probably during his time that the concept of England began to be defined. Alfred was the first King of the West Saxons to style himself "King of the Anglo-Saxons".
However, he did not realise it himself and it was arguably his own grandson, Athelstan, who achieved this ideal.
1013 - Danes take control
By 1013, England was an established nationwith defined borders and identity.
Under Ethelred - two generations on from Athelstan (but not a descendant as he did not marry or have children) the Danes through Svein Forkbeard finally conquered 'England'.
This argues that that the nation of England now already existed as a country by this time.
Under Ethelred - two generations on from Athelstan (but not a descendant as he did not marry or have children) the Danes through Svein Forkbeard finally conquered 'England'.
This argues that that the nation of England now already existed as a country by this time.
