A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Ethelfleda, or Elfleda

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4120366A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography — Ethelfleda, or Elfleda

ETHELFLEDA, or ELFLEDA,

Eldest daughter of Alfred the Great, and sister to Edward the First, King of the West-Saxons, was wife to Etheldred, Earl of Mercia. After the birth of her first child, having suffered severely in child-birth, she made a vow of chastity, and devoted herself to the service of her country. She retained a cordial friendship for her husband, with whom she united in acts of munificence and valour. They assisted Alfred in his wars against the Danes, whom they prevented the Welsh from succouring. Not less pious than valiant, they restored cities, founded abbeys, and protected the bones of departed saints.

After the death of her husband, in 912, Ethelfleda assumed the government of Mercia; and, emulating her father and brother, commanded armies, fortified towns, and prevented the Danes from resettling in Mercia. Then carrying her victorious arms into Wales, she compelled the Welsh, after several victories, to become her tributaries. In 918, she took Derby from the Danes; and in 920, Leicester, York, etc. Having become famed for her spirit and courage, the titles of lady and queen were judged inadequate to her merit; to these she received, in addition, those of lord and king.

Her courage and activity were employed in the service of her country till her death, in 922, at Tamworth, in Staffordshire, where she was carrying on a war with the Danes. She left one daughter, Elswina.

Ethelfleda was deeply regretted by the whole kingdom, especially by her brother Edward, to whom she proved equally serviceable in the cabinet and the field. Ingulphus, the historian, speaks of the courage and masculine virtues of this princess.