by Stuart Hill

BACKGROUND The Anglo-Saxons settled in Britain from around 410AD. They originally formed many kingdoms which were led by individual leaders. Eventually, the Anglo-Saxons came together as one country ruled by one leader. Athelstan was crowned king of the Saxons in 925AD but didn’t become ‘King of the English’ until 927AD. The Battle of Brunanburh in 937AD was his greatest victory and confirmed England as an Anglo-Saxon kingdom. He was viewed as a great politician and a courageous soldier who was reported as never having lost a battle. Like many other Saxon leaders, much of his reign was spent fighting Danish invaders and other rebellions for control of the country. One of Athelstan’s greatest achievements was to unite England and to establish the boundaries of England, Scotland and Wales that still remain today. He also strengthened the laws of the country and established burhs (fortified towns) where trade could flourish. He could be described as ‘The First King of England’. (For more information see the historical note written by the author on pages 180-181.)

EXPLORING THE BOOK – READING FOR DISCUSSION PROLOGUE 1. How does the prologue give the reader a clue as to what might happen in the story? 2. Why has the author included a prologue?

CHAPTER I 1. The story is written in the first person from the perspective of Edwin. How would the first chapter change if it was written in the third person? Why do you think the author chose to use the first person? 2. Why does Edwin think he is lucky? 3. ‘My life has changed in the blink of an eye!’ (page 13). How does Edwin’s fate change when he meets Athelstan, the Prince of Wessex? 4. How is Athelstan different to other royal youths? 5. What are Edwin’s first impressions of his new surroundings? Find evidence in the text to support your answer. 6. What are Edwin’s first impressions of Athelstan? Find evidence in the text to support your answer. 7. Why is Edwin ‘certain beyond any doubt that my life will be better’? (page 21).

Bloomsbury.com @BloomsburyEd CHAPTER II 1. Describe the banquet using adjectives, similes and metaphors. 2. What do we learn about life during the Saxon times? 3. Explore the emotions of Edwin and Athelstan throughout the chapter. How are they similar/different? 4. Predict what might happen next.

CHAPTER III 1. Explore the relationship between Edwin and Athelstan. 2. Why does Athelstan need to be patient? 3. What is Edwin expected to do in his new role?

CHAPTER IV 1. How does Athelstan show his loyalty in chapter IV? 2. What was life like for someone training to be a Saxon soldier? 3. Why does Edwin not want to make a fool of himself? 4. What does Edwin learn about Athelstan in this chapter?

CHAPTER V 1. What is Edwin’s daily routine? 2. Why do they need to learn how to swim? 3. Why is Edwin excited about their trip to Southampton? 4. What is Edwin’s perception of royalty?

CHAPTER VI 1. Why did the Saxons establish a navy? 2. How are Edwin and Athelstan similar/different to one another? 3. Explore the author technique of ‘foreshadowing’. Ara gives a clue to the reader about what will happen to Athelstan. What does she mean when she tells Edwin to ‘Defend this future king; defend this boy who will make one nation from the kingdoms of many peoples’ (page 61)?

CHAPTER VII 1. Why does Edwin feel like he is ‘going to burst with pride.’ (page 65)? 2. Why does the author include a short chapter at this point in the story?

CHAPTER VIII 1. Why was Olaf taken hostage? 2. Why does Edwin feel sorry for Olaf? What do they plan to do? 3. Why is Olaf reluctant to meet Lady Aetheflaed?

Bloomsbury.com @BloomsburyEd CHAPTER IX 1. Explore the relationship between Athelstan and his father. 2. Why is it important for a Saxon leader to be a good scholar and a good fighter? What other attributes do you think are important for a Saxon leader? 3. Athelstan states ‘If you’re going to lie, do it with confidence – that way everyone will believe you’ (page 79). 4. What do you think about Athelstan’s statement? Is there ever a time when lying is OK?

CHAPTER X 1. What is Athelstan’s plan? Why is his plan important to him? 2. Do you think Athelstan and Edwin can trust Olaf? Predict Olaf’s role in the rest of the story. 3. Why does Athelstan want to hurry?

CHAPTER XI 1. “Is it possible for a Saxon and a Dane to be friends?” Aethelflaed says with an enquiring look on her face’ (page 100). Discuss. 2. ‘I know he doesn’t want to be alone in his room, so I play with Bumble as quietly as possible on the bed, while the strange boy I serve builds dreams of the future’ (Page 103). What do you think Athelstan wants for the future of the Saxons?

CHAPTER XII & XIII 1. Is it possible to feel excitement and be terrified at the same time? How does the author show these contrasting emotions? What other emotions have been felt by Edwin? Find evidence from the text to support your opinion. 2. Study the Battle of Tettenhall. Look at the different viewpoints of the same battle – how would a Saxon or a Viking recount this event? 3. How does the battle affect Edwin? 4. How does the Battle of Tettenhall change things?

CHAPTER XIV 1. How do their ‘lives change beyond recognition’ (page 123)? 2. Why is the defeat of York significant to King Athelstan? 3. How does Athelstan’s act of kindness to Olaf help him to achieve his dreams of the future?

CHAPTER XV 1. Why does Athelstan believe that peace can not last forever? 2. Why was it important for Athelstan to wait and not rush into war?

CHAPTER XVI 1. What is Athelstan’s battle plan? Do you think it will work?

Bloomsbury.com @BloomsburyEd 2. How does the author create tension and suspense during the battle? 3. What has been Ara’s role? 4. How does the author show the horrors of war? 5. How does the author use language to create the different battles? 6. What was the significance of this last battle – Battle of Brunanburh?

CHAPTER XVII 1. Why did Edwin and Athelstan have a lasting friendship? 2. Why did the author choose Athelstan as the main Saxon leader for his book? 3. Why did the author choose Edwin to tell the story of Athelstan? 4. The story is written from the perspective of Edwin. How would the story change if it was written from the perspective of Athelstan? 5. If you were Athelstan, how would you describe Edwin? If you were Edwin, how would you describe Athelstan?

BEYOND THE BOOK LINKS TO HISTORY KS2 History (2014 Curriculum): Britain’s settlement by Anglo-Saxons (Anglo-Saxon invasions, settlements and kingdoms: place names and village life; Anglo-Saxon art and culture; Christian conversion). The Viking and Anglo-Saxon struggle for the kingdom of England to the time of Edward the Confessor. (Viking raids and invasion; Resistance by Alfred the Great and Athelstan, first king of England; Further Viking invasion and Danegeld; Anglo-Saxon law and justice.) • Who were the Anglo-Saxons and where did they come from? Why did they invade Britain? When did the Anglo-Saxons come to Britain? • How was Anglo-Saxon Britain ruled? Who were the successful Saxon leaders? • What were the achievements of the Saxons? • What was life like in Anglo-Saxon Britain? Explore law, justice, houses, buildings, village settlements, clothes, food, technology, beliefs, games, art and culture so pupils have an understanding of the context. Make comparisons between an Anglo-Saxon settlement and a Viking settlement in the Danelaw. • How do we know about the Anglo-Saxons? Study the evidence gathered by archaeologists and historians by exploring what has been found in archaeological sites and through the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles. • How could you identify an Anglo-Saxon site from a Viking site? • Why did so many Saxon leaders of this period spend much of their time fighting wars (page 180)? • What was it like to be a Saxon warrior? • Compare and contrast Anglo-Saxon and Viking warriors. How are they similar/different? • How did Athelstan resist the invasions?

Bloomsbury.com @BloomsburyEd • The Anglo-Saxons were great storytellers. Pick one of the battles and retell the story of the brave warrior Athelstan and how he defeated the rebellions/invasions. • Why did Athelstan want one king, one kingdom? What would be the benefits and consequences of such a dream? • How did other Anglo-Saxon leaders resist the Vikings’ attempts to take over the country? • How did the Anglo-Saxons finally defeat the Viking invaders? • Were the Vikings successful in their invasion of Britain? Discuss. • What were the advantages and disadvantages to the Anglo-Saxons if the Vikings had succeeded? • What is King Athelstan remembered for? What were his greatest achievements?

GEOGRAPHY • Explore the location of the many kingdoms of the Anglo-Saxons in Britain. Where were the kingdoms of Mercia, Wessex, Northumbria and Kent? Did any other kingdoms emerge?

ART AND DESIGN • What did Anglo-Saxon art and treasure look like? Make your own Anglo-Saxon jewellery, e.g. a brooch. • Be inspired by the intricate patterns created by the Anglo-Saxons and design your own in a similar style.

DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY • Design, make and evaluate an Anglo-Saxon home. • Design and make a shield used by an Anglo-Saxon warrior. Compare with the shields and weapons used by the Vikings. • What is the difference between a Danish dragon boat and a Saxon warship?

COOKING AND NUTRITION • What did the Anglo-Saxons like to eat? Design, make and evaluate a savoury dish of your choice, such as vegetable broth.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION • Learn about the beliefs of the Anglo-Saxons before their conversion to Christianity. ‘She’s the spirit of my great-aunt [...] who followed the old gods the Saxons worshipped before they became Christians’ (page 21). • How and why did many Anglo-Saxons convert to Christianity? • Compare and contrast the beliefs of the Saxons and the Vikings.

Bloomsbury.com @BloomsburyEd