How The Lady Of The Mercians Toppled The Danelaw | Aethelflaed

In Anglo-Saxon England, women had rights, but were not equal to men - in Wessex, the wife of the king wasn't even allowed to be called 'Queen'. But Alfred the Great's eldest daughter, Aethelflaed, would make her mark not only as a queen of Mercia, but as a successful military strategist, a peace-maker, and a legend amongst her people...

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[HistorysForgottenPeople]

Thanks for watching! How much do you think Aethelflaed contributed to the formation of England as a whole country? Tell us in the comments below! 😊

[MaineCoonMama]

My brain read this as "Warrior Queen of 'Merica" at first and I was so confused. 🤣 Awesome video, I love hearing about warrior queens!

[ericbrown]

I would argue Aethelflaed was the most important woman in English history, and I'm well aware of how big a statement that is. She played an indispensable role in the birth of the country as we know it today. The actions of her and her family, from Alfred through Athelstan, changed the course of western history forever. Everyone who sits here speaking English today owes these people more than we realize. I am very grateful to The Last Kingdom, even with all its inaccuracies, for allowing so many people to fall in love with her and remember her name.

[gingerkid]

It’s a shame that Æthelflæd isn’t as recognized as the men like so many other women from the past. She’s a fascinating figure & had to be even more unique than we know given the effects of historical misogyny. Definitely the Lady of Mercia deserves her own action movie. She is probably the most successful of Alfred’s children but least known.

[astrohaterade]

I’m going to look for a book about her now that I’ve watched this. Thank you this was a pleasure to watch

[helpinyerdasellavon]

Fascinating story about this remarkable figure. Æthelflæd was a wonderful woman armed with intelligence, strength, politically savvy and an army strategist who knew how to be a leader in a world dominated by men. I'm enjoying your content on Anglo-Saxons and medieval periods in English history. Excellent work throughly well documented and narrated. Thank you 🙏

[margheritatimeus]

The tradition of wise, powerful, strong and highly significant Queens in English history is so long, from the this story, though Elizabeth I and Victoria, to beloved late Queen Elizabeth II... ❤

[jackwhitehead]

A true English heroine, undervalued and under studied, praised even by the Normans who came after her.

[aprilnelson]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this channel! Excellent narration, with flair! Thanks so much! Happily subscribed and awaiting the next! 😀

[lfgifu]

Ha!! My second guess was right hehe- I just woke up from my nap and this is the best I can wish for

[mktf]

Please do forgotten people such as, Siward Jarl/Earl of Northumbria (Canute the Great - era), and Guillermo Miller (Latin American Wars independence).

[ChristopherBowly]

An excellent documentary both interesting & very informative about one of the most important figures in the history of Britain. Many thanks.

[Gawainer]

This is very useful in understanding the TV series The Last Kingdom. Thanks for such a good bio!

[hedipes]

All the different possibilities for why she didn’t conceive is speculated upon except that something might have gone wrong with HIM after the first child. Such as an injury to his testicles, for example? But no, a man such as this great warrior’s virility may not be questioned along with all the other speculations as to the ones about her.

[edwardrburgess]

"Queen?" In her time and language that meant "wife of the King" or "King's wife."
During her time, styled as Lady of the Mercians [head of state], there was no king to be the wife of - no head of state to be a subordinate to - or in our language, the spouse of the head of state.
In her day, Queen was a title less than the higher title Lady Of.

[victoriahhigman]

The book about Judith is originally Hebrew. Although the poem changes the story the Bible contains many strong women who would lead the Jews to success against enemies

[sakkra]

I am from York, it is likely my forefathers were amongst the townsfolk who willingly pledged their fealty to Aethelflaed, whilst I have pride in my Scandinavian roots, I also have pride in my Anglo-Saxon ones as well. In my mind, Aethelflaed would have been a good queen, it is sad she died when she did.

Make no mistake, should I meet her in the afterlife, I will consider it an honour to accept her as one of my rightful queens!

[ericanelson]

👩‍⚖️ She broke the Glass Ceiling before it was known as "the Glass Ceiling" ...!

[brianswelding]

I was aethelthirsty so I drank some aethelwater then took an aethelnap. Aethelafterwards I aethelwent for an aethelwalk in the aethelwoods with my pal Aethelsam and his wife Aethelflegm.

[jayehum]

You just know that Aethelflaed was twice as intelligent, twice as wise and twice as strong as she's given credit for, to receive a tenth of the recognition she should, from male historians.😆