Remember, it is always in the power of a virtuous
son to blot out the reproach which the crimes of a wicked parent may
have cast upon his name."
The words of King Athelstane were as balm to the broken spirit of the
boy, and they were never forgotten by him in all the trials, many of
them grievous ones, which awaited him in after-life.
King Athelstane, and his brother, Prince Edwin, were sons of King
Edward, surnamed the Elder, the son and successor of Alfred the Great.
After a glorious reign, Edward died in the year of our Lord 925, and at
his death a great dispute arose among the nobles as to which of his
sons should succeed him in the royal dignity.
Athelstane had early distinguished himself by his valor in battle, his
wisdom in council, and by so many princely actions, that he was the
darling of the people. His grandfather, the great Alfred, had,
therefore, on his death-bed adjudged Athelstane to be the most suitable
of all Edward's sons to reign over England. There were, however, some
of the Saxon lords who objected to Athelstane being made king, because
he was born before King Edward's royal marriage with the reigning
queen; Athelstane's mother, Egwina, having been only a poor shepherd's
daughter.
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