Æthelred, Lord of the Mercians

Æthelred, Lord of the Mercians, assumed control of English Mercia after Ceolwulf II’s death or disappearance in 879, ruling the western half while the eastern part was under Danelaw’s Viking rule. His lineage remains unidentified. He likely led a failed Mercian incursion into Wales in 881 and subsequently submitted to King Alfred the Great of Wessex’s authority, solidifying this relationship through marriage to Alfred’s daughter Æthelflæd.

In 886, Alfred entrusted Æthelred with London, previously a Mercian city. Æthelred achieved a military victory at the Battle of Buttington in 893 and continued to combat Viking invasions with Alfred’s son, Edward the Elder. His health possibly deteriorated post-899, with Æthelflæd assuming more control. Following Æthelred’s death in 911, Æthelflæd ruled as Lady of the Mercians, succeeded briefly by their daughter Ælfwynn until King Edward deposed her.