Aethelflaed's forgotten history
I can explain why Aetheflaed's story has often been forgotten and how in recent years historians have tried to retell it.
Aethelflaed's forgotten history
I can explain why Aetheflaed's story has often been forgotten and how in recent years historians have tried to retell it.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Despite fighting the Vikings and uniting the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, Aetheflaed's story has often been forgotten.
- One possible reason for this is because her brother Edward wanted to make sure that Mercia stayed loyal to him.
- Edward wanted Mercia to submit to him, and not stay loyal to his sister's memory.
- It is likely that Edward made sure that the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle mentioned a lot about him instead of Aethelflaed.
- Michael Wood is one historian who has tried to tell Aethelflaed's story because it is the story of England's beginning.
Common misconception
Pupils may think that all leaders are recorded in history.
Female leaders, like Aethelflaed, are often written out of history as there was prejudice towards women. Despite Aethelflaed's success and the respect she gained, she was likely erased from history so it did not undermine male leaders at the time.
Keywords
Loyal - to be loyal means to give or show firm and constant support to a person or place
Anglo-Saxon Chronicle - the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle is a historical document that contains a collection of annals
Annals - annals are a record of events year by year
Prejudice - prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a record of events year by year
giving or showing firm and constant support to a person
preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience