Æthelstan, well known in Europe, has married his sisters to several powerful princes, including the Saxon German king Otto.

He sends another fleet in 939 that unsuccessfully attempts to help Louis in a struggle with rebellious magnates.

Æthelstan's court is perhaps the most cosmopolitan of the Anglo-Saxon period, and the close contacts between the English and European courts will end soon after his death, but descent from the English royal house will long remain a source of prestige for continental ruling families.

Æthelstan dies on October 27, 939, at Gloucester.

His grandfather Alfred, his father Edward, and his half-brother Ælfweard had been buried at Winchester, but Æthelstan chose not to honor the city associated with opposition to his rule.

By his own wish he was buried at Malmesbury Abbey, where he had buried his cousins who died at Brunanburh.

No other member of the West Saxon royal family was buried there, and according to William of Malmesbury, Æthelstan's choice reflected his devotion to the abbey and to the memory of its seventh century abbot, Saint Aldhelm.

After his death, the men of York immediately choose the Viking king of Dublin, Olaf Guthfrithsson, as their king, and Anglo-Saxon control of the north, seemingly made safe by the victory of Brunanburh, collapses.

The reigns of his half-brothers Edmund (939–946) and Eadred (946–955) will largely be devoted to regaining control.