Aethelflaed and the bones of Saint Oswald
I can explain how Aethelflaed became an important Anglo-Saxon ruler in the fight against the Vikings.
Aethelflaed and the bones of Saint Oswald
I can explain how Aethelflaed became an important Anglo-Saxon ruler in the fight against the Vikings.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Alfred needed other parts of Britain to be strong again, so he arranged for Aethelflaed to marry the leader of Mercia.
- The man Aethelflaed married was called Aethelred, and together they made Mercia strong again to resist the Vikings.
- Aethelred was much older than Aethelflaed; as he got old and sick and eventually died, Aethelflaed ruled Mercia herself.
- Aethelflaed stood up to the Vikings; ordering a group of soldiers to go on a special mission into Viking lands.
- The soldiers brought back the bones of an important Anglo-Saxon saint, Oswald, which won Aethelflaed a lot of respect.
Keywords
Mercia - the large Anglo-Saxon kingdom in the midlands of Britain was called Mercia
Respect - to respect someone is to admire their achievements and abilities
Saint - a saint is a dead person who the Christian Church recognise as having lived a very holy life
Common misconception
The names Aethelflaed and Aethelred are very similar and may be mistaken for the same person.
Highlight that the two names are very similar but that Aethelflaed was the daughter of Alfred the Great and became Lady of Mercia, whereas Aethelred was the king of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia.
To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: Aethelflaed and the bones of Saint Oswald, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: Aethelflaed and the bones of Saint Oswald, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
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Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
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