Aethelflaed and Aethelred
I can describe how Aethelflaed strengthened Mercia alongside her husband Aethelred.
Aethelflaed and Aethelred
I can describe how Aethelflaed strengthened Mercia alongside her husband Aethelred.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- After Alfred’s treaty with Guthrum, he controlled much of Mercia but made himself their overlord instead of their king.
- Alfred married his daughter, Aethelflaed to Mercia’s most powerful man: Aethelred.
- Aethelflaed was heavily involved in rebuilding Mercia following Viking occupation by building burhs.
- Her rule was strengthened by her piety; she built a priory at Gloucester which housed the recaptured bones of St Oswald.
- By 902, her older husband was sick and Aethelflaed defeated Vikings at Chester in 907.
Keywords
Overlord - an overlord is a person of great power or authority
Burh - a burh is an Anglo-Saxon fortification or fortified settlement
Saint - a saint is a holy person who has died and been officially recognised and honoured by the Christian church
Common misconception
Pupils may not realise the significant leading role Aethelflaed had during this time.
Aethelflaed was thought to have been a strong, independent and well-educated woman. She had learnt a great deal about military leadership and strategy by watching her father King Alfred.
To help you plan your year 6 history lesson on: Aethelflaed and Aethelred, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 history lesson on: Aethelflaed and Aethelred, 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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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 2 history lessons from the The Vikings: how did Viking settlement change Britain? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
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Adult supervision required
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