Ælfhere, Ealdorman of Mercia facts for kids

Ælfhere (died in 983) was a very important leader in early England, known as the Ealdorman of Mercia. Think of an ealdorman as a powerful governor or a top military commander in a large region. His family, along with others, became very influential in the middle of the 900s. During the time of Edward the Martyr, Ælfhere was a key figure who wanted to change how monasteries were run. He was also an ally of Queen Dowager Ælfthryth. After King Edward was killed in 978, Ælfhere supported the new king, Ælfthryth's son Æthelred the Unready. Ælfhere was the most powerful nobleman in the Kingdom of England until he died in 983.

Family and Early Life

Ælfhere's father was Ealhhelm, who was also an ealdorman in Mercia. This was during the reigns of Kings Edmund and Eadred. His family came from Wessex, a powerful kingdom in southern England. They might have even been related to the royal family. Their main area of power was likely in the southwest part of Mercia, around a place called Worcester.

Ælfhere had a brother named Ælfheah. Ælfheah was an important helper to King Eadwig. He later became an ealdorman in Hampshire. One of Ælfhere's brothers might have married a niece of the famous Saint Dunstan.

King Eadwig helped Ælfhere become powerful. This might have been to balance the influence of other strong families. In 957, there was a big disagreement in the kingdom. To solve it, the English kingdom was split. King Eadwig ruled the south, and his younger brother Edgar ruled the north. Ælfhere survived this change. He stopped supporting Eadwig and became a strong supporter of Edgar.

Leading Mercia

After the kingdom was divided, Ælfhere became the main ealdorman in Edgar's northern kingdom. From 959 to 975, he was almost always the first person to sign important documents for King Edgar. A writer named Byrhtferth of Ramsey called Ælfhere the "prince of the Mercian people." This was a very important title, showing how much power he had. When he signed documents for another important leader, Oswald of Worcester, he was called "ealdorman of the Mercians."

Ælfhere's brother Ælfheah is not mentioned after about 972. It is possible that Ælfhere then became an ealdorman in other parts of England, like Hampshire.

As the ealdorman of Mercia, Ælfhere also dealt with the Welsh leaders. Fighting in Wales could bring fame and valuable goods. In 983, Ælfhere led a campaign against two Welsh kingdoms, Brycheiniog and Morgannwg. He had help from the Welsh king Hywel ap Ieuaf. This event is recorded in old Welsh writings.

Kings Edward and Æthelred

When King Edgar died in 975, he left two sons. Edward was the older son. Æthelred was the younger son, whose mother was Queen Ælfthryth. Some old writings say that Ælfhere was a friend of Queen Ælfthryth.

Edward was about 15 years old, and Æthelred was only six or seven. So, the disagreements from 975 to 978 were not between the two young kings themselves. Instead, they were between two groups of powerful nobles. Edward was supported by important church leaders like Dunstan and Oswald of Worcester. He was also supported by Æthelwine, Ealdorman of East Anglia. Ælfhere, however, was a strong supporter of Æthelred.

During Edward's short reign, there was a period called the "anti-monastic reaction." This meant that some powerful nobles, including Ælfhere, took back lands that had been given to monasteries. Medieval writers, who were often monks, said that Ælfhere was a leader in this movement. It seems he focused on lands that had been given to monasteries by Oswald of Worcester.

King Edward's reign ended when he was murdered at Corfe Castle on March 18, 978. His stepmother, Queen Ælfthryth, was soon blamed for the killing. The exact details of the murder are not clear. Edward was first buried at Wareham. But in 979 or 980, Ælfhere and Archbishop Dunstan had the king's body moved and reburied at Shaftesbury Abbey. We can only guess why Ælfhere did this. Perhaps he wanted to show he was not involved in the killing, or maybe he felt guilty. He certainly gained power after Edward's death.

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an old historical record, says that Ælfhere died in 983. He was buried at Glastonbury Abbey. His sister's husband, Ælfric Cild, took over some of Ælfhere's duties. However, Ælfric Cild was sent away from England in 985. We don't know if Ælfhere had any children. But two of his nephews are mentioned in old records. Ælfric Cild's son, Ælfwine, was killed in the Battle of Maldon in 991. Ælfheah's son, Godwine, might be the same Godwine who was an ealdorman of Lindsey and died in the Battle of Ashingdon in 1016.

See Also

• Ealdorman of Mercia
• Edward the Martyr
• Æthelred the Unready