Athelstan defeated at the Battle of Brunanburh

Simply this: What would be the effect on the British Isles of King Athelstan the Glorious - 1st King of England, being defeated at the Battle of Brunanburh?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Brunanburh

Well, a lot depends on how serious a defeat it is, and whether Athelstan survives the battle. Athelstan was, with the possible exception of Alfred the Great himself, the most gifted militarily of the Anglo-Saxon Kings of England. If he survives, my guess is he goes back to his kingdom, consolidates, and comes back the next year. By then, the fragile alliance of the Dublin Norse, the Scots, and the Strathclyde Britons would likely have fallen apart, and Athelstan will clean house.

If he doesn't survive, his brother and successor Edmund the Elder was also quite the warrior, and most likely much the same thing occurs. By this time, the balance of power in Britain is decisively in favor of the Saxons in terms of population and potential military power. A defeat at Brunanburh would be a setback, but not long-lived or significant one.
 
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