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Æthelflæd

The Lady of the Mercians

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This Dark Ages biography chronicles the life of one of the period's most famous women: the ruler of Mercia who took England back from the Vikings.

At the end of the ninth century, a large part of what is now England was controlled by the Vikings—warlike Scandinavians who had been attacking the British Isles for more than a hundred years. Alfred the Great, king of Wessex, was determined to regain the conquered lands. But when he died in 899 A.D., the task passed to his son Edward. In the early 900s, Edward led a great fight against the Viking armies, assisted by the English rulers of Mercia: Lord Æthelred and his wife Æthelflæd, who was also Edward's sister.

After her husband's death, Æthelflæd ruled Mercia on her own, leading the army to war and working with her brother to achieve their father's aims. Known to history as the Lady of the Mercians, she earned a reputation as a capable general who was feared by her enemies. In this authoritative biography, Tim Clarkson tells her remarkable life story from childhood to her vital role in saving England from the Vikings.

©2018 Tim Clarkson (P)2022 Tantor Europe Great Britain Politics & Activism Royalty Women Middle Ages England Marriage Biography Viking
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Excellent book which is well delivered. The author is comprehensive in use of sources, noting those that are less reliable. The story is clear and easy to follow. Highly recommend.

Excellent description of a remarkable life

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The narrator was the star. A general history rather than a biography to my mind,

Slow.

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Great read, lots of good information
On the queen of Mercia ,
Will defo use this book for studying

This book covers all aspects& history on the Anglo Saxon queen of Mercia

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the narrator may be AI? it was flat and rendered the story, a little dry, difficult to listen to. I went back over some parts several times as I kept zoning out.

a flat narration

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A full, interesting and thorough history of the Anglo Saxons from the early years, encompassing Alfred through to Æthelstan's death but with greater importance to Æthelflæd.

Lady of the Mercians

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