Tamworth in Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Aethelflaed

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 11, 2026

1. Aethelflaed Marker

Inscription. Aethelflaed, also known as Lady of the Mercians, was daughter of King Alfred the Great. Justifiably thought of as England's forgotten Queen; she was a formidable leader in a shadowy history of the dark ages. She had no more children after her only daughter and when her husband Aethelred died in 911, she ruled Mercia alone - an astonishing example of early female power.

She commissioned enlarged strategic burhs (fortified towns) for Warwick, Stafford, Runcorn, Bridgnorth and Tamworth. In 917, she captured Derby from the Danes. A year later, she took Leicester without a fight. The Vikings of York offered her their loyalty only days before her death. Planting cities, sponsoring learning and defending her people against their enemies, Aethelflaed laid the foundations of a kingdom that formed today's England.

Spending much of her time in Tamworth, capital of the ancient kingdom of Mercia, she raised her nephew Aethelstan here. He would go on to become the first King of all England. Dying in Tamworth in 918, Aethelflaed was finally laid to rest in Gloucester beside her husband.

Topics. This historical marker is listed

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in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 911 CE.

Location. 52° 38.195′ N, 1° 41.298′ W. Marker is in Tamworth, England, in Staffordshire. It is at the intersection of Victoria Road and Albert Road on Victoria Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 45 Victoria Road, Tamworth, England B79 7HU, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Midlands.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St Editha's Church (approx. half a kilometer away); Theatres and Thespians (approx. 10.6 kilometers away); Edward Wightman Memorial (approx. 10.8 kilometers away); Promenades and Pleasure Gardens (approx. 11 kilometers away); Commander Edward John Smith RD RNR (1850-1912) (approx. 11.1 kilometers away).

Aethelflaed Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ray Gurganus, May 11, 2026

2. Aethelflaed Statue

has been designed and created by sculptor Luke Perry. He was commissioned to produce an iconic piece of art honouring Tamworth's Anglo-Saxon past in a 21st century way. Aethelflaed greets people as they step off the train in Tamworth and points them toward the centre of this historic market town. Follow the direction of 'Our Aethel's' spear to find more of her story in Tamworth Castle and St Editha's Church.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2026, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.