# Æthelflæd becomes Lady of the Mercians (911)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/911-aethelflaed-becomes-lady-of-the-mercians
Categories: ruler-change, main-event

After her husband Æthelred's death, Alfred's daughter Æthelflæd ruled Mercia. Within the broader Vikings & Unification period, Scandinavian invasion and settlement transformed the political map while Wessex and its allies built the institutions of a unified English kingdom. This event is placed at AD 911 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. Her leadership was crucial to the conquest of Danish-held towns and to cooperation between Mercia and Wessex.

## Why it matters
Her leadership was crucial to the conquest of Danish-held towns and to cooperation between Mercia and Wessex.

Ruler at the time: [Edward the Elder](https://english-history.com/rulers/edward-the-elder)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Æthelflæd becomes Lady of the Mercians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=%C3%86thelfl%C3%A6d+becomes+Lady+of+the+Mercians&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Æthelflæd becomes Lady of the Mercians](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=%C3%86thelfl%C3%A6d+becomes+Lady+of+the+Mercians)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%28before_1000%29)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica — Viking Britain topic search](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Viking%20Britain)