Earl of Mercia was a title in the late Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-Danish, and early Anglo-Norman period in England. Originally an independent kingdom, Mercia fell under the domination of Wessex in the 10th century. First governed by ealdormen, it became an earldom in the Anglo-Danish period.[1]
The Earldom was broken up and dissolved following the defeat of Edwin, the last Anglo-Saxon Earl in England.
Ealdormen of Mercia:
- AEthelred, d. 910.[2]
Also:
- A.D. 911. Then the next year after this died Ethelred, lord of the Mercians.
- A.D. 912. This year died Ethered, alderman of Mercia;
- AEthelfleda, lady of the Mercians[3]
- A.D.919. "This year also the daughter of Ethelred, lord of the Mercians, was deprived of all dominion over the Mercians, and carried into Wessex, three weeks before mid-winter; she was called Elfwina"
- Ælfstan, Ealdorman [of part Mercia], fl. 930-934[4]
- Ælfhere, Ealdorman of the Mercians, fl. 956-983[5]
- Ælfric, Ealdorman of Mercia, 983-985; formerly minister[6]
The Earls of Mercia were:
- Eadric Streona (1007-17), ealdorman of Mercia[7]
- Leofric (c.1030-1057)
- Ælfgar (1057-1062)
- Edwin (1062-1070)
Notes
edit- ^ Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 1017: "This year King Knute took to the whole government of England, and divided it into four parts: Wessex for himself, East-Anglia for Thurkyll, Mercia for Edric, Northumbria for Eric."
- ^ Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 910: "This year the army of the Angles and of the Danes fought at Tootenhall. And Ethelred, ealdor of the Mercians, died".
- ^ Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 912: "This year also came Ethelfleda, lady of the Mercians, on the holy eve called the invention of the holy cross, to Shergate, and built the fortress there, and the same year that at Bridgenorth.".
- ^ http://eagle.cch.kcl.ac.uk:8080/pase/DisplayPerson.jsp?personKey=9340
- ^ http://eagle.cch.kcl.ac.uk:8080/pase/DisplayPerson.jsp?personKey=11179
- ^ http://eagle.cch.kcl.ac.uk:8080/pase/DisplayPerson.jsp?personKey=11611
- ^ Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, 1007: "In this year also was Edric appointed alderman over all the kingdom of the Mercians.", 1017: "This year also was Alderman Edric slain at London".
See also
edit[[Category:Earldoms|Mercia]] [[Category:Extinct earldoms|Mercia]]