When I recently retired I took on the happy project of re-reading the Last Kingdom series in sequence. I’m up to The Flame Bearer. I had a basic understanding of the period, which made me feel very much immersed. What knocked me over, as a Woman, was the character Aethelflaed. I was vaguely aware of the name, but based on Mr. Cornwell’s presentation She sent me off on a research binge. What I found was absolutely astounding. {Queen} The Lady of Mercia was in fact one of the most formidable rulers of Her time – a warrior and administrator the equal if not the superior to anyone of Her time. Had She had the “fortune” to be a Man She would have been celebrated in the halls of history itself. That Her historic achievements receive scant notice has to do without a doubt to the patriarchal coverage of history, wherein Men celebrate Men, even those who may not have been as accomplished as a contemporary Woman such as Aethelfaed. She is scantily mentioned in ancient writings. In their Patriarchy, Males present a distorted view of history. Until I examined the life of Aethelfaed I had been given by the historians to regard Women of Her time as wives, whores, and nuns – not necessarily in that order. Thank you, Mr. Cornwell, to leading me to where we should all have been at the primary school level. Cowards and incompetents with testosterone are celebrated; a Woman for the ages is not.
Francine Kent