The first king of the unified Kingdom of England was King Æthelstan, who reigned from 924 to 939 AD. He is celebrated for his role in consolidating various Anglo-Saxon kingdoms into a single entity, effectively establishing England as a cohesive state. Æthelstan's reign marked the beginning of a more centralized monarchy and he implemented several reforms that improved the governance, law, and administration of the kingdom. He is also known for his military successes and for promoting learning and culture, leaving a lasting legacy in English history.