With its iconic tower and dazzling stained-glass windows, All Saints Church is one of Kingston's most recognisable landmarks.

But the rich history of this Anglican Church and Grade I listed building is less well-known.

The Church's story starts more than 1000 years ago, in 838AD.

At this time Kingston was a royal estate called Cyningestun and lay on the boundary between the kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia.

In this year a meeting was held in the town between King Egbert of Wessex and Ceolnoth, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

And it is likely to have taken place in a church on the site of modern day All Saints Church.

This same church is also believed to be where at least three Saxon Kings were crowned in the 900s.

Kings Edred, Ethelred the Unready and Athelstan, the first King of England, all had their coronations here.

Other kings from this time including Edward the Elder, Edmund, Edwy, Edgar "the Peaceable" and Edward "the Martyr" may have also been crowned at the church in Kingston but the evidence for this is less clear.

Athelstan's coronation in 925 was notable as it was the first time a King was crowned with a crown rather than a helmet, and also started other coronation traditions that continue today.

Meanwhile, Kingston's famous Coronation Stone was likely found in the ruins of a former annexe of All Saints Church.

The ancient sarsen stone was recovered in 1730 from St Mary's Chapel, which was built in 1030 and joined All Saints Church when the latter was constructed in the 1100s, though not much of the original building survives.

The stone is said to have been the seat of the Kings when they were crowned here and in 1850 it was inscribed with the names and coins of seven Saxon Kings .

It was displayed for a time in Kingston marketplace, then moved to outside the Guildhall in 1935..

For more about the Church and its history you can visit its website HERE