Æthelfrith of Mercia facts for kids

Æthelfrith (pronounced like ATH-el-frith) was a powerful leader, known as an ealdorman, in southern Mercia during the late 800s and early 900s. We don't know who his father was.

He was married to Æthelgyth. Her father was Æthelwulf. Some historians think Æthelwulf might have been King Alfred the Great's brother-in-law. Æthelfrith had four sons who also became important leaders (ealdormen): Æthelstan Half-King in East Anglia, Ælfstan in Mercia, Æthelwald in Kent, and Eadric in Wessex.

What Happened in 903?

Around the year 903, Æthelfrith had a big problem. All his important ownership papers, called 'charters', were destroyed in a fire. These charters were like modern-day deeds, proving he owned land and had certain rights. He needed new copies!

So, he asked King Edward for help. He also asked Æthelred and Æthelflæd, who were ruling Mercia at the time under King Edward. He also spoke to the 'witan', who were a group of wise and important people. He asked them to let him get new copies of his lost charters.

One of the papers that was reissued was about a piece of land in Islington. This land had been given a long time ago by King Coenwulf of Mercia to a loyal friend named Beornnoth. This suggests that Æthelfrith, or perhaps his wife, came from an old and important family in Mercia.