Æthelflæd was the daughter of Alfred the Great — but she became one of the most remarkable rulers of Anglo-Saxon England in her own right.

In this first episode of An Illustrated Journey, Vic Nemm explores the life of Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians: a woman who governed Mercia, built and strengthened fortified towns, directed armies against Viking-controlled territory and helped shape the political world from which a united England would eventually emerge. Aethelflaed (8.5 x 11 in)

We’ll travel back to a time before England existed, when Wessex, Mercia, Northumbria and East Anglia were separate kingdoms under intense pressure from Viking expansion. We’ll follow Æthelflæd from her childhood as Alfred’s daughter, through her marriage to Æthelred and rise to power in Mercia, to the capture of Derby, Leicester’s submission and the extraordinary approach from York. Aethelflaed (8.5 x 11 in)

Along the way, we’ll also look at the world around her: Anglo-Saxon women, clothing, jewellery, hairstyles and everyday life, as well as the fortified burhs that became central to Æthelflæd’s strategy. Aethelflaed (8.5 x 11 in) Aethelflaed (8.5 x 11 in)

And yes — we’ll also deal with the important question of how on earth you pronounce Æthelflæd.

This is calm, accessible history for anyone who enjoys discovering fascinating people from the past. No manufactured drama, no shouting — just an extraordinary story, told in a relaxed and engaging way.

📚 Accompanying book: Æthelflæd: An Illustrated Journey by Vic Nemm Aethelflaed (8.5 x 11 in) https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aethelflaed-Illustrated-Journey-Number-23-ebook/dp/B0HLWTHFXR/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1RBZGVISW5KSE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cAWMur3J4BtmzGiL14LQuz7_jvfYhKK-PEkfFXRXnvgGs6mKMeEavyPHDLObdZZj2mI3K39Ltjzqu9p594Bfdj-hKkEqvlH1rJwm6f523XOl3HBWC0xld-Cp2-7naqYD0vjaLqM0o8FHZYpPtgWlwUJsfxq-0siVjv9OhnxQCYkax2KAdixdlo6SoZ54LzBAHTFR47sfabsluHweZWcAU4am2aF2yxNclvlZjFNQhxg.ljgM6UeLZtLHEKVhRHx0Javlf7Hx0QCRjn-P6A85nQ0&dib_tag=se&keywords=vic+nemm&qid=1791458978&sprefix=vic+nemm%2Caps%2C116&sr=8-1

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