Some Great Resources
Whilst editing process is underway for Warrior Queen, I though I ought to get back to the day job alongside reading and blogging.
For a Lady who has been called the Greatest Englishwoman who ever lived, there are remarkably few books on Ethelfleda of Mercia. I’ve probably come close to using pretty much every one of them written in Modern English in my meagre contribution.
For the interested reader, I’m listing some of the better known and accessible titles here. For those who can’t wait until the release of my little booky in May, I hope these might be of some use if you can get hold of them.
Aethelflaed: Royal Lady, War Lady by Jane Wolfe
A short little booklet which explores the life and campaigns of the Great Lady, and contains chapters on her husband, the too often misrepresented Ethelred, Lord of the Mercians.
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The Lady Who Fought the Vikings by Don Stansbury
A full length biography, and one of my major sources. Stansbury’s book spans Ethelflead’s entire life, and includes useful maps and diagrams illustrating where some of her fortifications may have been. Some of the author’s conclusions are speculative, albeit educated speculation.
Nevertheless, it brings her reign to life, and sheds on what some of her motivations and attitudes may have been.
Like Wolfe, this is a rare book, now out of print which is really only available in certain public libraries and online secondhand book retailers.
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King Alfred’s Daughter: The Lady of the Mercians by Marjory A. Grieser
This book is a rare thing: a novel which reads like a biography. With a sound basis in the sources it’s probably one of the most accurate novels about Ethelfleda ever written. A word of warning, however is necessary. It’s no Game of Thrones: don’t expect any exhilarating battle scenes, romance or non stop actions it’s not that kind of novel, but give the reader and appreciation of the remarkable intelligence and achievements of the Lady of the Mercians.
The family free and map of tenth century England are also helpful, of course Unlike the other two, Grieser’s book can be purchased from Amazon as a Kindle Edition. Don’t get me wrong, I love ‘real’ books, but ebooks are great as well. Of course, there is always the advantage of not having to wait for books to arrive through the post.
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Further Reading and Sources
Although the below are about other figures and subjects, the passages which are related to the Lady of the Mercians have proved invaluable.
Athelstan by Tom Holland
Athelstan by Sarah Foot
Available from all good bookstores
King Alfred and the Anglo-Saxons: BBC Documentary by Michael Wood, Episode 2, The Lady of the Mercians.
Available from Prime Instant Video on Amazon UK, and from the BBC Store.
