Æthelflæd (often spelled Aethelflaed) is one of the most underrated war leaders of the early Middle Ages—not because she swung an axe in the front line, but because she understood what actually beats raiders: fortifications, logistics, and timing. She was the daughter of Alfred the Great and the wife of Æthelred, the ruler of Mercia. As the Viking “Great Army” and its successors carved out the Danelaw, Mercia lived on the edge of collapse. When Æthelred grew ill and later died (around 911), Æthe

Æthelflæd ruled, fought, and led, in an age that said women shouldn’t. ⚔️👑 Daughter of Alfred the Great, she governed Mercia and commanded armies herself. 🛡️ She built fortresses, defeated Viking forces, and protected England when it mattered most. 🔥 A ruler in her own right, England’s warrior queen. ✨ | History Roadshow

284K views · 1.6K reactions | An ancient grave uncovered in Birka helps provide a deeper understanding of the role female Viking warriors played in battle. Uncover the truth about who the Vikings really were in Vikings: The Rise and Fall, Tuesdays at 9pm, only on National Geographic UK. | National Geographic UK | Facebook

This King Was Overshadowed—But Built England by Force Did you know… England was forged by a king history barely remembers? Edward the Elder, son of Alfred the Great, ruled from 899 to 924. He didn’t inherit peace. Vikings still held the north. Rival kings challenged him. Even his own cousin rebelled. Edward answered with strategy. He and his sister, Æthelflæd of Mercia, built a chain of fortified towns— slowly strangling Viking power. City by city, kingdom by kingdom, England expanded. But Edwar