| Notes |
- Also called Ethelfrida.
Ruled c 883 - 911
He succeeded Ceolwulf II. His pedigree is not known, his name
suggests he may have come from either Mercian or West Saxon stock.
Although he issued many charters in his own name which imply a royal
status, by the time of his reign Mercia was subject to AElfred, and
AEthelred was at most
a client king. He became better known under the title "Lord of the
Mercians", though he was also styled ealdorman, the title used in the
ASC in 886 when AEthelred was entrusted with the city of London. It
was likely that by this time AEthelred had already married AElfred's
daughter AEthelflaed. AEthelred was noted for his hostility to the
Welsh and there were many border battles. At one stage Brochwael of
Gwent was alleged to have sought aid from AElfred to stop AEthelred's
oppression. Athelred fortified Worcester and developed Gloucester,
which was their seat of residence. AEthelred continued in power after
the death of AElfed, but his position seemed less secure during the
reign of Edward the Elder. He had a debilitating disease in his final
years and left much of the government to AEthelflaed. He died in 911.
(Source: Mike Ashley, "British Monarchs")
|
Bef 855 - 911 (> 56 years)