2024 marks the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan becoming king. He was buried in Malmesbury Abbey and has a special relationship with the town. Anne Goodyer sets the scene by looking at where Athelstan features in Malmesbury present and more recent past; you will be surprised! Anne is a member of the Malmesbury History Society and a volunteer at the Athelstan Museum. She is a regular speaker and has presented three short history films about aspects of Malmesbury’s history. One of her specialist subjects is the Pubs of Malmesbury, but she assures us this is from an historical perspective. At the Rausing Building. Tickets for this event are only available from Athelstan Museum https://www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk/event/finding-athelstan-in-malmesbury/

Oh! Athelstan – a musical interpretation of events surrounding Athelstan, the first king of all England. Written by John Hughes (music) and Mike Scanlon (lyrics) in the early 1980s, this is a light-hearted approach to history with a little poetic license thrown in for good measure. First performance held in 1982 by students at Malmesbury Secondary School and subsequently by Malmesbury WI, this is the first time the production has been performed this century.  Oh! Athelstan is performed by St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School choir and directed by Debbie Cambray-Smith. Commissioned by MAMS.

More information soon.

The Civic Opening Event for Athelstan 1100. Hosted by Malmesbury Town Council at Malmesbury Abbey. To include the unveiling of the Athestan 1100 Plaque in Cloister Gardens, the Official Opening of the Athelstan exhibition at the Athelstan Museum and a reception at Malmesbury Town Hall. Limitations on numbers have to make this an invitation only event.

Why is Malmesbury making such a fuss about Athelstan? What is his ‘special relationship’ with this small town in North Wiltshire? Tony will explain all! Tony is an educator and writer by profession and a researcher who brings history to life. He has written many school textbooks on different history topics for Cambridge University Press, Harper-Collins and Hodder Education, and his most recent books, ‘The Last Witch Craze’ and ‘The History of Malmesbury Abbey’ have added hugely to the understanding of Malmesbury’s rich and rewarding past. 

Launch event for the Athelstan Pilgrim Way. Walks linking 13 churches across North Wiltshire (wiht more to come in 2025). Watch this space for more information soon - it is going to be worth waiting for! The event will be followed by a walk to a nearby church on the route. The Athelstan Pilgrim Way web-site - www.athelstanpilgrimway.org - opens on the 29th March.

Malmesbury's Athelstan Museum is organising a special exhibition to celebrate Athelstan 1100. More information soon. Sign up for the Athelstan 1100 Newsletter for updates.

Miranda will take us on a walk with a gathering of the faithful setting off from Malmesbury Abbey on a Rogation Day walk into the town and its surrounding countryside in the year 924. We might visit a local shrine at the roadside, pass by the nearest mill and along the river for a while before walking into the Open Fields and blessing our surroundings as we go. But what might we see along the way and how might it be different to the landscape, plants and wildlife we know today? Miranda is the founding Chair of Malmesbury Natural History Society, enjoys anything to do with nature and is an experienced and has a background in marketing and teaching. She helped establish the Royal Wootton Bassett Arts Festival. 

How did Roman Britain become Anglo-Saxon England? Who were the West Saxons? How did Athelstan become king of England? How did he relate to Alfred the Great? This is the Athelstan 1100 backstory talk! Jim has been a British Army officer and is an expert on the nature of military thought, lecturing at staff colleges around the world and and chairing national and international conferences. He has published five books, including the ‘The Anglo-Saxon Conquest of England’, first published in 2016 as ‘King Arthur’s Wars: The Anglo-Saxon Conquest of England’, which has been republished twice.

The first king of all the English, Athelstan (reigned  924-39) is now coming to be seen as the presiding genius of the medieval English state. His short reign initiated many key developments in English law, culture and governance; his new brand of assembly politics is seen now as the origin of the English Parliament. In this richly illustrated talk Michael Wood offers fresh insights into this exciting turning point in English history. An acclaimed historian film maker and broadcaster, Michael has written and presented 120 documentaries, including the BBC series The Story of England ‘the most innovative history series ever on TV’ (Independent). He is the author of several number one best selling books, including In Search of the Dark Ages, now out in a revised and expanded 40th anniversary edition. Professor of Public History at the University of Manchester, Michael’s latest book is China’s Greatest Poet: In the Footsteps of Du Fu. He is at present working on his long promised biography of Athelstan.

Day One of our exciting community archaeology weekend. We're working with Cotswold Archaeology to create a trail of test pits across Malmesbury plus the professional interpretation of finds and explanations of Malmesbury’s Anglo-Saxon landscape. More information soon. Sign up for our Newsletter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

Day Two of our exciting community archaeology weekend. We're working with Cotswold Archaeology to create a trail of test pits across Malmesbury plus the professional interpretation of finds and explanations of Malmesbury’s Anglo-Saxon landscape. More information soon. Sign up for our Newsletter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

By popular demand - Athelstan's name is all over Malmesbury - the Museum, Secondary School, roads, memorials, cinema... Anne digs deeper and describes how Athelstan has become part of Malmesbury's DNA. Anne is a member of the Malmesbury History Society and a volunteer at the Athelstan Museum. She is a regular speaker and has presented three short history films about aspects of Malmesbury’s history. One of her specialist subjects is the Pubs of Malmesbury! 

Athelstan stood at the junction between Christianity and Paganism. After his reign there was no doubt England was a Christian country. What did Athelstan believe, how did he get his beliefs and how did this influence the history of England? The Rev’d Oliver Ross has been vicar of Malmesbury Abbey since 2018. He read African History and Social Anthropology at SOAS in London and Biblical Studies in Cambridge. During his career he taught in rural Uganda for two years. Passionate about thought and history he is a insightful and entertaining speaker and has willingly taken on the challenge set by the Athelstan 1100 team to address this cornerstone topic in the development of early medieval England. At the United Reform Church. 

The Very Revd Professor Foot is the Dean of Christ Church, University of Oxford, having taken up her role on 8th July 2023. As Sarah Foot she produced the important biography ‘Athelstan The First King of England’, which established beyond doubt Athelstan’s important place in English history. In this talk she is going further. Should Athelstan be recognised as the first ‘King of Britain’? Sarah was appointed the Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History at Oxford in 2007. Educated at Newnham College, Cambridge(BA; MA; PhD), she served as a Lay Canon at Christ Church from 2007-2017, and as a Residentiary Canon since her ordination in 2017. She writes on women in religion, medieval monasticism, and the early history of the Church in England, and is currently working on a study of the life and work of the Venerable Bede.

A world premiere. Athelstan's remarkable story in the atmospheric Malmesbury Abbey. Six performances only. More information soon. Sign up for our Newsletter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

Immerse yourself in Anglo-Saxon culture, crafts and food and drink. More information soon. Sign up for our Newsletter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

A world premiere. Athelstan's remarkable story in the atmospheric Malmesbury Abbey. Six performances only. More information soon. Sign up for our Newsletter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

A children friendly picnic gathering in Malmesbury's beautiful Cloister Gardens. With lots of Anglo-Saxon games and activities. More information soon. Sign up for our Newsletter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

Delight and Dread: Unladylike Tales from the Age of Aethelflaed You’ve heard of Alfred and Athelstan. But what about the women whose lives wove together the bright and dark threads of an emerging England? In age of transformation, they were peace-weavers and war-leaders, city-builders and king-makers. This fiercely poetic story-set sheds new light on the daughters and sisters, saints and queens, whose courage and vision shaped a nation. This is Intelligent spoken-word from contemporary storyteller Stephe Harrop, who creates and shares spoken-word shows with audiences across the UK, and beyond. She especially loves telling English and Scottish fairytales, the fiery folklore of the Anglo-Scottish Borders, and salvaged stories from the two kingdoms’ historic and mythic pasts. She’s also fascinated by the challenge of using storytelling to help promote a positive sense of belonging, and a spirit of creative citizenship, across a range of communities and contexts. Suitable for ages 14+ .

Sam looks forward to dispelling the myths of this time period and sharing the key plants and practises used to support health and wellbeing and treat medical conditions of the day. Did the cures work and what is the science behind them? She will discuss the plants used in Athelstan’s time some of which she still uses in her herbal medicine practice today. Sam has been a qualified medical herbalist and lecturer for over 25 years and considers the profession to be a lifelong journey with people and plants. Alongside working with her patients she has formulated her own tea range and other herbal products using organic herbs from around the world and her own garden. Sam also runs workshops covering a wide range of wellbeing subjects and skills.

How was warfare conducted in England during the age of King Athelstan? Where were battles fought? How were campaigns managed? Could rulers even win without coming to battle? What was a shield wall? What about sieges, logistics, naval actions, strategies, tactics, stratagems and ruses? These are just a few of the questions Paul will be trying to answer, supported by replicas and illustrations and examples. Expect stories of triumph, tragedy and rebellion. Paul is an author, lecturer and expert on Anglo-Saxon and Medieval warfare and history and has been journeying into the wars, betrayals and personal battles which make the past so gripping and fascinating for over 20 years. His latest book is ‘The Fortress Kingdom - The Wars of Æthelflæd & Edward the Elder’, who just happen to be Athestan’s Aunt and his Dad!

Regia Anglorum are arriving in Malmesbury and setting up an Anglo-Saxon village in Malmesbury's beautiful St Aldhelm's Mead. Hands on experiences, demonstrations of Anglo-Saxon life and, of course, there will be a battle re-enactment! Sign up for our Newsletter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

Regia Anglorum are arriving in Malmesbury and setting up an Anglo-Saxon village in Malmesbury's beautiful St Aldhelm's Mead. Hands on experiences, demonstrations of Anglo-Saxon life and, of course, there will be a battle re-enactment! Sign up for our Newsletter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

Malmesbury's famous Carnival will be hosting events throughout August 2024. The hugely popular Carnival procession on Saturday 31st August is awarding a prize for the best Athelstan themed entry. Not to be missed! 

The Wessex Week team are curating the Athelstan 1100 Speaker Programme and will be back in October for their annual Wessex Week. It will be another brilliant programme of word, music, walks and entertainment. Sign up for our Newsletter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.