A train has been named King Athelstan - marking the 1,100-year anniversary of the coronation of England's first and 'greatest' monarch.
Podcaster and historian Tom Holland joined with South Western Railway to name the train in Kingston upon Thames, London, in a ceremony at the town's station on Thursday [September 4th].
While less widely known than successors including William the Conqueror, Henry VIII, and Elizabeth I, in 2021 The Rest is History podcast declared him England's 'greatest monarch' following a public poll.
King Athelstan was the grandson of Alfred the Great, whose coronation at Kingston preceded his unification of England as Rex Anglorum, King of the English.
Tom, author of Athelstan, was joined by the Bishop of Kingston, Martin Gainsborough, Lib Dem leader and MP Sir Ed Davey, and Cllr Noel Hadjimichael, the Mayor of Kingston.
The Rest is History co-host unveiled the new King Athelstan name on the SWR Class 450 train, flanked by Saxon warriors. The event also saw children from the King Athelstan Primary School donning crowns as well as a choral performance from the Tiffin School.
The Bishop of Kingston, Martin Gainsborough, also blessed the train to conclude the ceremony.
Tom said: "Who better to have a train named after them than Athelstan, the great Anglo-Saxon king who first set England on track to becoming a united kingdom?"
Peter Williams from South Western Railway said: "As it travels around the network, we hope the train will inspire customers to discover more about Athelstan's reign and his coronation 1,100 years ago in Kingston.
"As the only operator serving Kingston, we wanted to be part of marking this special anniversary - commemorating the town's remarkable history as well as celebrating the present and future."
The Mayor of Kingston, Cllr Noel Hadjimichael, said: "The King Athelstan train celebrates the Royal Borough of Kingston's unique place in the country's history - as the crowning place of the first king of a united England.
"To have it unveiled as part of the Kingston 2025 cultural celebrations is very special. It's a wonderful part of our six-month festival of past, present and future across the royal borough."
