The Making of<i>Angelcynn</i>: English Identity before the Norman Conquest
Sarah Foot
There are grounds for seeing an increasing sophistication in the development of a self-conscious perception ‘English’ cultural unique-ness and individuality towards end ninth century, at least some quarters, crediting King Alfred's court circle with its expression. Alfred was not, as Orderic Vitalis described him, ‘the first king to hold sway over whole England’, which tribute might rather be paid his grandson Æthelstan. He was, however, obituary Anglo-Saxon Chronicle ‘king English people except that part under Danish rule’. Through promotion term Angelcynn reflect common identity variety texts dating from latter reign, efforts cultivating shared memory West Mercian Saxon subjects, credited invention political community.
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