Year 6 - History
Aethelflaed and Aethelred
The Vikings: how did Viking settlement change Britain?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit, pupils learn about how Viking settlement and the Anglo-Saxon response to it led to the making of England. They learn about the roles of Aethelflaed, Aethelred, Edward, and Athelstan and also examine how Aethelflaed's story has only recently received more scholarly attention.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to describe how Aethelflaed strengthened Mercia alongside her husband Aethelred.
Key Notes
- After Alfred's treaty with Guthrum, he controlled much of Mercia but made himself their overlord instead of their king.
- Alfred married his daughter, Aethelflaed to Mercia's most powerful man: Aethelred.
- Aethelflaed was heavily involved in rebuilding Mercia following Viking occupation by building burhs.
- Her rule was strengthened by her piety; she built a priory at Gloucester which housed the recaptured bones of St Oswald.
- By 902, her older husband was sick and Aethelflaed defeated Vikings at Chester in 907.
Vocabulary To Learn
- overlord: an overlord is a person of great power or authority
- burh: a burh is an Anglo-Saxon fortification or fortified settlement
- saint: a saint is a holy person who has died and been officially recognised and honoured by the Christian church
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may not realise the significant leading role Aethelflaed had during this time.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.
After Alfred's treaty with Guthrum, he controlled much of Mercia but made himself their overlord instead of their king. Alfred married his daughter, Aethelflaed to Mercia's most powerful man: Aethelred.
2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'overlord'
an overlord is a person of great power or authority.
3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.
Mistake: Pupils may not realise the significant leading role Aethelflaed had during this time. Correction: Aethelflaed was thought to have been a strong, independent and well-educated woman. She had learnt a great deal about military leadership and strategy by watching her father King Alfred.
More Lessons In This Unit
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