Ethelfleda (alternative spelling, "Aethelfled") was the eldest child of King
Alfred the Great and his wife, Ealhswith. She was born around AD
869. She married the ealdorman or earl of
Mercia in about
886, and had one daughter, Elfwynn. On her husband's death in
911, she was elevated to the status of "Lady of the Mercians". She died in
918, and is buried at
Gloucester. She was succeeded as ruler of Mercia by her brother, King
Edward the Elder.