Why so shy of 1100 years of a United England?

And because we should always be proud of where we’re from we ask why so shy of 1,100 years of a united England?

Now I’m reliably informed by my English rose Sarah that she never learned about King Athlestan’s place in her national identity.

And our introduction to Athelstan instead was only from living near the birthplace of the Scottish flag, Athelstaneford in East Lothian.

More of which later.

The only way is Wessex

It’s poignant too that we celebrate Athlestan after just returning from York, the last hold-out to the rampaging Wessexer.

Which he took from the Vikings in 927.

Wessex spanning the south and south-west of England, though not reem Essex which forms five-sixth of his name.

All of which step back into history we will be celebrating, or rather the English will be, or should be next year.

England’s Tory

Thank heavens then for Tory leader Kemi Badenoch’s No.2 Alex Burghart, luminaries we’ve never mentioned here before.

Who is championing England 1100.

There are calls for July 12 to be marked with a bank holiday.

Which would overshadow a certain date on the Unionists’ calendar in the north of Ireland.

And would also put Scots and Welsh people’s noses out of joint as that is the date their kings and lords gave fealty to Athens.

Although in later years they would take back their lands.

An English banker

Perhaps then we should leave it to the English to keep a bank holiday to themselves.

And put him up on the revolving fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square in London.

For those who want to dig deeper into Athers’ life then Malmesbury in Co.Wiltshire is the place to go.

To find out more about this holy grandson of King Alfred, although there is no evidence that he burnt the cakes.

If you want to find out how the Scots sent him homewards tae think again at Athelstaneford.

Long before ‘Proud Edward’ or the Corries.

What’s in a name?

Then head for Athelstaneford to learn how King Oengus II saw a Saltire across the sky, St Andrew’s symbol.

A sign that his Picts, who lived here, would win the day.

Only it was a different name as Athelstan was probably as common a name as Scots Jimmy.

Still, English kings Athelstan, the original, and his namesakes are all fair game to Scots.