Back to the Mainly The Vikings calendar
Alfred died in 899AD. He was 50 years old.
He was succeeded by his son Edward the Elder, who presumably had a younger brother of the same name (notice we are getting some normal names now – but not for
long). I should point out that Alfred became known as Alfred the Great and is the only ruler of England to be called such.
After Alfred’s death, Edward and his sister, Æthelflæd, the Lady of the Mercians, they didn’t use the word queen, were determined to win back lands
that were under Viking rule. They did this on a gradual basis over the next 15 years or so and by 920AD the Saxons controlled England as far north as the River
Humber.
Æthelflæd was the first recognised female leader since Boudicca. She was responsible for the building of many fortresses in what was Danish territory
and had just received support from the people of York when she died in 918AD
Edward the Elder also moved the land ruled by Saxons further east and north and also set a record unlikely to be beaten by a future ruler. He had 18
children although he did need 3 wives, not at the same time of course, to do this. He died in 924AD.
Forward to 937AD
