Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians

Join historian and author David Guest for an engaging talk examining Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, and the dramatic events surrounding the Battle of 910 AD, one of the most significant — and debated — conflicts of early medieval England.

Based on David’s acclaimed research and his book Æthelflæd and the Battle of Tettenhall, this talk explores the political, military, and cultural context of the battle, traditionally associated with the defeat of a major Viking force in Mercia. Particular attention is given to Æthelflæd’s leadership, her role in Mercian defence, and how this pivotal moment shaped the future of the region.

Using contemporary sources, landscape evidence, and modern historical interpretation, the talk addresses:

• Who Æthelflæd was and why her rule mattered
• The background to the Viking incursions of the early 10th century
• What we can — and cannot — say about the Battle of 910 AD
• How later tradition, place-names, and scholarship have shaped our understanding

Thought-provoking and firmly grounded in evidence, this talk will appeal to those interested in Anglo-Saxon history, early medieval warfare, Mercian identity, and the hidden history of the West Midlands.