Summary
Æthelstan is regarded as the first King of England by modern historians
1
, and was of the House of Wessex, grandson of Alfred the Great and 30 great-granduncle to Queen Elizabeth II.
2
He added Northumbria to his kingdom, which made him the first king of England.
3
Starting with the reign of William the Conqueror, the monarchy was passed from the king to his firstborn son.
2
The Royal Marriage Act of 1772 granted the monarch the right to veto any match within the royal family.
2
Until the early 20th century, reigning sovereigns were referred to by their family or “house” names.
2
According to
