King who unified England deserves a bank holiday, historians say

Historians are urging England to mark the 1,100th anniversary of its formation in 927, when Athelstan was recognised as “King of the English”. They say the milestone offers a chance to recognise the origins of England’s institutions and traditions, but the Government has no current plans for a national commemoration.

Athelstan, already king of Mercia and Wessex, had driven the Vikings from York before rulers from Scotland and Wales accepted his overlordship on 12 July 927. Politicians have proposed making that date a bank holiday, but a parliamentary petition has gathered 326 signatures and the Government estimates a one-off holiday could cost the UK economy about £2 billion. The campaign group England’s 1,100th is preparing educational materials for schools.