One English Nation

Abstract

Although technically the kingdom of England dates from 954, it is a date which looks significant only with hindsight. In the mid-tenth century, Eadred’s victory would have appeared to be just one more of a series of triumphs and reverses for the kings of Wessex. Eadred, now the sole king of the English, did not create a unified kingdom even though he ruled from the Channel coasts to the Scottish lowlands, and from Offa’s Dyke to the North Sea. No feeling of nationalism bound the people together. Elements of unity existed, especially in the church, and the basis for strong kingship was there. But these factors were still balanced by deep divisions and local loyalties. The problems of consolidating an English kingdom remained when the dust of victorious battles had settled.