PEOPLE in Malmesbury have rallied to defend the town's most famous benefactor King Athelstan despite claims that he never fought his most famous battle in the area.
The battle of Brunanburh involved the king taking an army of men to finally beat the Viking invaders and legend says all the men of Malmesbury turned out for the great battle, and when victorious, were awarded a huge tract of land near the town.
It has even been suggested the battle took place near the village of Brokenborough.
Athelstan who had been a great endower of Malmesbury Abbey was buried there following his death in 940.
But now a historian Paul Hill has claimed the battle never took place near Malmesbury at all.
According to Mr Hill, Athelstan and the men from Malmesbury marched all the way to north Yorkshire to beat the Danes.
But Coun Charles Vernon said: "We should be very proud of King Athelstan and his links with the town.
"In his time Malmesbury was the capital of England and an important centre. Everybody ought to know something about him."
Architect Robin Clark said: "We are just proud to have him buried here. Nothing surprises me about history. We take it with a pinch of salt."
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