A coalition of groups is calling for a national celebration to mark England’s 1100th birthday on 12 July 2027- the date in AD927 when King Æthelstan succeeded in uniting the Anglo Saxons and Vikings to create what we now know as England.
Campaigners behind England together 1100 years are calling for the landmark date to be transformed into a major national celebration of our shared history and what we have in common. The call is supported by leading social cohesion groups including ourselves and our A Very English Chat project, the Jo Cox Foundation’s More in Common Network, Exit Hate, and the Together Coalition. For more information download our explainer.
Our co-founding director, Andy Green , said:
“The 1100th anniversary offers a rare national moment to reflect on who we are, how we got here, and what kind of shared future we want. Our country’s origins lie in unity, we should celebrate them in style next year.”
Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition, said:
“2026 is the 1099th birthday of our country – hopefully we will be celebrating it having once more overcome the Vikings… But whether we win or lose against Norway, 2027 is a huge birthday for our nation – and it’s one we should all be planning for. England hasn’t been good enough at marking moments like this in the past. It’s time we got better.”
Æthelstan (pronounced ‘ETH‑el‑stan’) was a powerful, sophisticated, and innovative king, Æthelstan reigned only briefly (924-939), yet his achievements changed the course of English history. He won spectacular military victories, notably at Brunanburh, forged unprecedented political connections across Europe, he was a pious monarch fostering the church and Christianity, and succeeded in creating the first unified kingdom of the English, to claim the title of ‘first English monarch’.
Æthelstan’s legacy however has been largely forgotten. He never married nor had children. His memory and legacy overshadowed by monarchs such as his grandfather Alfred the Great and Norman usurper William the Conqueror. His name uses the now unfamiliar Old English character of ‘Æ’ which disappeared from modern English because of Norman scribes not using it. (History is not only written by the victors, but also uses their alphabet). Without monks in subsequent years writing glowing tributes of him, he never achieved the reputation he deserved.
The England Together 1100 Years campaign is backed by groups including:
A Very English chat,a campaign devised and delivered by Grow Social Capital
AI – Absurd Intelligence who work to unite people to revitalize democracy for a kinder, freer future
Civil Society Together which works to build the capacity of community, faith, and social enterprise sector
Community Organisers who promote community organising principles to support inclusive social change
Exit Hate, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by extremism
Jo Cox Foundation which was established in memory of the late Jo Cox MP to promote a vision of society underpinned by an enduring belief that “we have far more in common than that which divides us”
More in Common Network a collection of groups and partnerships across the UK who champion Jo Cox’s powerful ‘more in common’ message to bridge divides.
The Together Coalition which works to build a kinder, closer and more connected society to counter growing social division
