13 MORE MEDIEVAL QUEENS

1 ÆTHELFLÆD

c870–918

“Æthelflæd is often overshadowed by her more famous father”

Known as the Lady of the Mercians, Æthelflæd was the eldest daughter of Alfred the Great of Wessex. Though she played an important role in Anglo-Saxon England, her story is often overshadowed by her more famous father. Æthelflæd was born during a chaotic time, at the zenith of the Viking invasions of the British Isles, but in 878 her father emerged victorious at the Battle of Edington. Perhaps as young as 16, Æthelflæd was married to Æthelred, Lord of the Mercians – an alliance that united the last Saxon kingdoms that were still holding out against the Vikings. Together, the couple took back much Mercian land from the Vikings. Æthelflæd’s role in the affairs of state grew and she took on building projects and military campaigns as her husband became ill. When Æthelred died, the Mercian nobles accepted Æthelflæd as sole ruler and she did not remarry. Together with her brother, Edward the Elder, their armies repelled many Viking attacks and in 917, Æthelflæd captured the Viking stronghold of Derby – with Leicester soon following. In 918, at the height of her power, Æthelflæd died. Her daughter Ælfwynn succeeded but was soon deposed by Edward. In 924, Edward’s son and Æthelflæd’s nephew, Æthelstan, acceded the thrones of both Mercia and Wessex.