Britons could be in line for an extra day off in the height of summer, as politicians push for a new bank holiday to celebrate a pivotal but often overlooked moment in English history.
The Campaign for a 'Forgotten' Monarch
Cross-party MPs are urging the government to declare a one-off public holiday in July 2027. The date would mark the 1,100th anniversary of the unification of England under its first true king, King Aethelstan, in 927 AD.
While many associate the start of English royal history with William the Conqueror in 1066, it was Aethelstan, grandson of Alfred the Great, who first brought the separate Anglo-Saxon kingdoms under a single ruler. This historic unification took place at Eamont Bridge in Cumbria on 12 July 927.
A Warrior King and Founding Father
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has been a vocal proponent of the idea. He told the BBC that the anniversary "absolutely deserves a bank holiday," arguing it is important to reclaim patriotism around the nation's deep history. "This is the evidence of how long we go back in our proud history," he stated.
King Aethelstan's reign was foundational. After becoming king in 924, he captured York from the Vikings in 927, extending his authority north. His power was cemented by a decisive victory at the Battle of Brunanburh in 937, where he defeated an alliance of Vikings, Scots, and Britons.
Beyond his military prowess, Aethelstan was a reformer. He issued detailed laws, supported the church and learning, and forged diplomatic ties across Europe. Conservative MP Alex Burghart, who supports the campaign, told The Telegraph that the birth of the Kingdom of England, the crown, and much of the foundational legal and administrative systems emerged from this 10th-century period.
Practical Hurdles and Public Support
The proposal faces practical challenges. A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade, Kate Dinn, acknowledged that while there are many significant historical events worthy of commemoration, the government cannot mark them all with a bank holiday.
Supporters argue that a July holiday would be preferable to other suggestions, such as a bank holiday for St George's Day in April, which already falls close to the Easter break. A petition has been launched to force a parliamentary debate on the issue.
If approved, the holiday would provide a mid-summer boost and a unique opportunity to celebrate a king who transformed a collection of warring territories into a unified nation. Aethelstan died in 939 and is buried at Malmesbury Abbey, leaving a legacy that, 1,100 years later, might just earn the British public an extra day of rest and reflection.
