Æthelwold, a prominent figure in the late 9th and early 10th centuries, is perhaps best remembered as a key character in the turbulent power struggles of early medieval England. A grandson of Alfred the Great, the legendary king who defended England from Viking invasions and shaped the early foundations of Anglo-Saxon England, Æthelwold's life was marked by ambition, rebellion, and a bitter rivalry with his cousin, King Æthelstan.

Early Life and Background

Æthelwold was born around 900 AD, the son of Ælfweard, the eldest son of Alfred the Great, and a noblewoman named Wulfrun. His family was of royal Anglo-Saxon descent, and his grandfather, Alfred the Great, was one of England's most revered monarchs. Alfred's reign had been marked by significant achievements, including the creation of a unified kingdom of England, the development of a legal code, and the establishment of military reforms to counter Viking incursions.

However, Æthelwold’s father, Ælfweard, died prematurely in 902, leaving Æthelwold to inherit his noble lineage. The young Æthelwold, though born into privilege, would face a life filled with the political struggles that often arose in the aftermath of a strong monarch’s reign.

The Rivalry with Æthelstan

Æthelwold’s life became deeply intertwined with the larger political drama of the time, particularly the succession to the throne of Wessex. Upon Alfred's death in 899, the kingdom was passed to his son, Edward the Elder. Æthelwold's father, Ælfweard, was believed by some to be Alfred’s rightful heir, but due to his early death, the throne passed to Edward.

Æthelwold’s claim to the throne grew more complicated after Edward’s death in 924, when Edward’s son, Æthelstan, ascended to the throne. As the grandson of Alfred, Æthelwold believed he had a strong claim to the throne of Wessex. However, Æthelstan was a powerful and charismatic ruler, with support from many of the leading nobles and clergy. Æthelwold’s ambition led him to take matters into his own hands.

Æthelwold’s rebellion began in earnest around 928 when he gathered a group of discontented nobles and launched a revolt against Æthelstan. He sought to overthrow his cousin and seize control of Wessex for himself, but his rebellion was poorly coordinated and quickly defeated. Æthelstan, ever the skillful strategist, consolidated his power and forced Æthelwold into exile. shutdown123