PAUL HILL
History Author
St Oswald's Priory Gloucester.
Runcorn: Above and Below. ‘Queen of Mercia’. Diane Gorvin and Philip Bews. 1994. Commissioned by Halton Borough Council and the Manchester Ship Canal Company. See also their Instagram page for project developments. They also have a Fire Sculptures site.
Runcorn: Above. 'Of Heroes and Industry' (Detail). Fiona and Neil Osborne. One Red Shoe. 2011. Mural at Runcorn. Æthelflæd forms the ‘R’ of Runcorn
THE FORTRESS KINGDOM
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In this the second part of his four-volume military and political history of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom, Paul follows the careers of Æthelflæd, Alfred the Great’s eldest daughter, and Edward the Elder, Alfred’s eldest son, as they campaigned to expand their rule after Alfred’s death. They faced, as Alfred had done, the full force of Danish hostility during the early years of the tenth century, a period of unrelenting turbulence and open warfare. But through their military strength, in particular their strategy of fortress building, they retained their hold on the kingdom and conquered lands which had been under Danish lords for generations.
Æthelflæd’s forces captured Derby and Leicester by both force and diplomacy. Edward’s power was always immense. How each of them used forts (burhs) to hold territory, is explored. Fortifications across central England became key. These included Bridgnorth, Tamworth, Stafford, Warwick, Chirbury and Runcorn (Æthelflæd) and also Hertford, Witham, Buckingham, Bedford and Maldon (Edward), to name a few.
Celebrating Æthelflæd around England
The Fortress Kingdom also contains many photographs of contemporary public works of art which depict the Lady of the Mercians in various ways. In particular, she is celebrated in Runcorn, Tamworth and Wednesbury to name only a few.
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It is important that the artists who designed and fabricated these great works receive recognition. So, here are some examples of their work.
Runcorn: Above. Iron fence on Runcorn waterfront commemorating ‘Aethelfreada’. Railing design Diane Gorvin, fabrication Chris Doughty, Blacksmith, Frodsham.
Tamworth: Above. 'Aethelflaed - Heroine Queen of Mercia' by Luke Perry. 2018. At an impressive six metres high, ‘Aethelflaed’ stands on a roundabout outside the railway station. She shows visitors their way into central Tamworth. See how Luke made this masterpiece on YouTube here.
Wednesbury: Above. Mural installation on Holyhead Road, Wednesbury depicting Æthelflæd. Part of the Wednesbury reliefs. Designed by Steve Field. Steel. 2007.
Wednesbury: Above. 'The Caryatid Gateway', Wednesbury Bus Station. By Steve Field and John Vaughan. Stainless Steel and Limestone. 2004.
Runcorn: Above. Originally on Wigg Island overlooking the Mersey, Angela Sidwell’s 2009 statue of Æthelflæd and two other companions (‘Watch on the Mersey’) now stand proudly outside the Brindley Theatre.