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Lady Jane Grey part 4: Lady Jane AND Her Heirs Male
Just before his death, Edward VI made a small but important change to his will that ruled Jane's mother, Frances out of the succession and moved Jane next in line to the thrown. The fact that Jane and her sisters were born in England,...
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Lady Jane Grey part 13: the Duke of Northumberland is Beheaded
Queen Mary arrives in London. John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland goes on trial. Ironically, most of the people deciding his fate had also originally pledged allegiance to Jane. Though he is spared being drawn and quartered, the Duke of...
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Lady Mary Grey part 5: Freedom at Last
After about 8 years of house arrest, Lady Mary was finally granted freedom at the age of 27. She spend the time reconnecting with family and friends and building a comfortable home for herself. Lady Mary also succeeded in winning back...
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Aethelflaed part 3: Marriage to Aethelred, Ruler of Mercia
Around 886, Alfred took London, reverting it back to Saxon hands. He quickly handed London to Lord Aethelraed of Mercia, perhaps as a wedding gift. Aethelraed and Aethelflaed were married around 886. The couple poured their money and...
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Elizabeth I of England part 6: Why the Virgin Queen Could be Cruel
From gendered criticism to mercury poisoning from cosmetics, there are many theories about why Elizabeth I could be so cruel.
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Elizabeth I of England part 3: Sibling Rivalry
When their brother died in 1553, Elizabeth's sister was crowned Mary I. Mary, a devout Catholic, soon began to distrust her Protestant sister, accusing Elizabeth of involvement in Wyatt's Rebellion of 1554. Despite a lack of evidence,...
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Aethelflaed part 7: Military Strategy and Leadership
Learn how Aethelflaed balanced violence and diplomacy to bring all of England back under united, Anglo-Saxon rule. Did Aethelflaed fight in battle? Or did she direct from behind the lines? How did Aethelflaed and her forces capture Derby...
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Aethelflaed part 4: Life as a Mother and Queen of Mercia
What were the duties of a Anglo-Saxon royal women? Learn what role these women played in social, domestic, and legal affairs in their lands. In addition to the usual responsibilities, in the early 900s, Aethelflaed took on more of the...
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Aethelflaed part 5: A Diplomatic Leader for Mercia
In 902, an army of Danes crossed into Mercia. Rather than battle, Aethelflaed and Aethelred chose a diplomatic solution, giving the Danes a bit of land to live and work and avoiding an armed conflict. Aethelred died soon after. The...
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Aethelflaed part 1: Lady of the Mercians Early Life
Aethelflaed was the eldest daughter of Albert the Great. Though Anglo-Saxon women held little political power at the time, Aethelflaed went on to become a queen and a legend. Learn what her early life was like and how she would have...
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Aethelflaed part 8: Legacy and Influence on Later Rulers
In June of 918, Aethelflaed died suddenly at 48 years old. There is dispute as to whether her brother Edward immediately took over as ruler of Mercia or whether her daughter, Aelfwynn ruled for a while. Eventually, Edward's son...
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Aethelflaed part 6: the True Story of Judith and Holofernes?
Aethelflaed quickly began shoring up the defenses of her kingdom, restoring strategically located fortresses. Understand how Aethelflaed worked with her brother Edward to defend their kingdoms with an offensive strategy. Did...