King Athelstan 1100 Malmesbury Celebrations

From June 2024 to October 2024 Malmesbury will be celebrating the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan becoming king. Athelstan was the first King of England and has a very special relationship with our historic town. His hero was Malmesbury’s first Abbot, Aldhelm, he gave significant gifts to Malmesbury Abbey, and he chose to be buried there. His name is all over town and he’s at the heart of the remarkable story of Malmesbury’s Warden and Freemen organisation, which still exists today.