atheling

American  

[ath-uh-ling, ath-] / ˈæθ ə lɪŋ, ˈæð- /

Or aetheling

noun

Early English History.

1. a man of royal blood; a prince.

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atheling British  

/ ˈæθɪlɪŋ /

noun

1. (in Anglo-Saxon England) a prince of any of the royal dynasties

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Etymology

Origin of atheling

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English ætheling (cognate with Old High German ediling, adalung, Old Saxon ethiling ), equivalent to æthel(u) “noble family” (cognate with Old High German adoul, German Adel, Old Saxon athal(i), Old Norse athal “nature”; akin to Tocharian atäl “man”) + -ing noun suffix; see -ing ³

Example Sentences

In another law of the same Athelstan, the weregild of the prince or atheling, is said to be fifteen thousand thrimsas.

From The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part A. From the Britons of Early Times to King John by Hume, David

Their battle-shields placed they, Bright-shining targets, up by their heads then; O’er the atheling on ale-bench ’twas easy to see there Battle-high helmet, burnie of ring-mail, They were always ready for battle.

From Beowulf An Anglo-Saxon Epic Poem by Hall, Lesslie

He wore a slightly disappointed look on his face, for he had heard so much of the atheling that he had supposed him older than this boy.

From A Maid at King Alfred?s Court by Madison, Lucy Foster

My father before me of folks was well-famed Van-leader and atheling, Ecgtheow he hight.

From The Tale of Beowulf Sometime King of the Folk of the Weder Geats by Anonymous

"Not I, Redwald, good friend; you and I will laugh over it at some time hereafter," the atheling said.

From King Olaf's Kinsman A Story of the Last Saxon Struggle against the Danes in the Days of Ironside and Cnut by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)