The questions of who was the first King of England has always fascinated me. I went to London last year and it really made me think how the English monarchy has started its official lineage at William I. Why is this? I beleive that England was fully united before this time. Edward and Athelstan may have claimed lordship of Scotland and other areas, but this did not last long. Yet by the time of Edmund and Edgar, these men ahve to be styled in the official lists. My point is that William the COnqueror should not be called the first King of England.