Æthelstan Ætheling

Æthelstan Ætheling, born in the early or mid 980s, was the eldest son of King Æthelred the Unready and his first wife Ælfgifu, and the heir apparent to the English throne until his death. His early life included witnessing a charter of his father in 993 and likely spending time at Æthelingadene, Dean in West Sussex, with his upbringing influenced by his paternal grandmother Ælfthryth. His friendships with the thegns Sigeforth and Morcar of the Five Boroughs of the East Midlands are noted, although details of his life are largely unknown.

During King Æthelred’s exile to Normandy in 1013, Æthelstan’s whereabouts, along with his brothers Edmund Ironside and Eadwig, are unclear. As a warrior prince, he amassed a collection of swords, war horses, and combat gear. His will, made on the day of his death, bequeathed his most prized possessions, including a sword from Offa of Mercia, to his brother Edmund Ironside. His remaining assets were distributed among churches, friends, servants, and he made specific bequests to his sword-polisher and stag huntsman. Æthelstan was interred at the Old Minster, Winchester.