- "I am a woman of royal blood."
- —Ælfwynn[src]
Ælfwynn of Mercia is a supporting character in both The Saxon Stories novel series, and The Last Kingdom television series. She is the daughter of Lady Æthelflæd and Lord Æthelred.
In the novels, she is confirmed to be the daughter of Lord Æthelred, however in the TV series, her parentage is debated by her father, and rumoured by others, who claim her birth father is the Dane Erik Thurgilson.
Biography[]
The Saxon Stories[]
(To Be Added)
The Last Kingdom[]
Season 3[]
Saltwic, Mercia; Ælfwynn resides at her mother's estate and is taken to bed by Sable. ("Episode 3.3")
Winchester, Wessex; Ælfwynn and her parents arrive in Winchester for the royal wedding of her uncle Edward and Ælflæd. She is seen walking behind her parents. ("Episode 3.8")
Season 4[]
Saltwic, Mercia; Æthelflæd arrives at her Mercian estate with Uhtred and his men. After Stiorra opens the doors for them, Æthelflæd asks where is her daughter, and Ælfwynn rushes into her arms. Æthelstan has been held up with them as well. Aldhelm arrives to report that Æthelred is fatally injured and he may not last a week. No plan has been made for the succession, so Æthelflæd is eager to speak with him and the Ealdormen. Uhtred then tells Stiorra to take the children and secure them. She questions how much younger she’ll have to be a prisoner, as she leads Ælfwynn and Æthelstan into the other room. ("Episode 4.5")
Later, Stiorra orders for Ælfwynn to come inside as she spots soldiers ride up towards the gate. She reports to Finan, Osferth, and Sihtric of their arrival and tells them that she has a plan. Stiorra opens the front gate and asks Cenric and his men if they are lost. They’ve come to take Ælfwynn to Aegelesburg. Ælfwynn claims that she’s already been taken to Winchester by Uhtred. Centric isn’t convinced and proceeds to search the grounds while young Uhtred, Finan, Osferth, Sihtric, Ælfwynn, and Æthelstan hide. However, they come up empty handed. Uhtred arrives soon thereafter to find that everyone is safe. After evading capture, they proceed to pack their belongings and head for Ceaster. ("Episode 4.5")
Mercia; On the road to Ceaster, Stiorra tells Ælfwynn to stop crying, though she persists. Young Uhtred tells his sister to be kind as Ælfwynn simply misses her mother. Stiorra tells her to be brave and grateful that she’s not betrothed to an old man. ("Episode 4.6")
As they ride through the woods, hungry villagers rip the bread that Stiorra is eating right from her hands. They come to a stop as the road is blocked with the bodies of dead men piked on large wooden sticks. Finan and Sihtric go to investigate. They realize that at least one man is still alive but that he’s dying of a sickness. Finan claims that it is spread by touch while Uhtred and Osferth state that it spreads by air. Young Uhtred believes that it only takes sinners. Finan suggests that they return to Aegelesburg. However, they don’t have the power to defend themselves against Edward. Uhtred changes the plan. They will now go across land to Wenloca to avoid the bad air. Sihtric worries that the children won’t make the trip on foot, but they proceed nevertheless. ("Episode 4.6")
Uhtred, young Uhtred, Stiorra, Eadith, Finan, Osferth, Sihtric, Ælfwynn, and Æthelstan continue on the road to Ceaster on foot. Uhtred carries Ælfwynn as Finan carries Æthelstan. From Uhtred, he learns that Æthelstan is Edward’s hidden bastard son.
St. Milburg’s Priory, Mercia; They soon arrive at St. Milburg’s Priory but Æthelflæd and Aldhelm are nowhere to be found. Finan continues to grow more and more worried. He suspects there may even be bodies laying in the fields. Uhtred orders Stiorra to get Ælfwynn out the sun, but she’s tired of mothering her. Stiorra has done it for months and has no intentions on being a wife. Nevertheless, she takes Ælfwynn under the trees. Finan suspects that Æthelflæd isn’t coming and advises they leave. Uhtred realizes that Æthelflæd must’ve gone ahead to Ceaster as agreed, so they do the same. ("Episode 4.6")
Mercia; The group sleeps as Uhtred watches over them. Day breaks and the group awakens. Ælfwynn goes following behind a crow, chasing it through the woods on her own. That’s when she crosses paths with a sleeping Eardwulf and his men. Fortunately, Uhtred gets to her in time before she can awaken them. The group then run off into the woods. ("Episode 4.6")
They rests at a river stream. Eadith looks after Ælfwynn. She’s getting a fever, so Osferth gives her something to drink. Eadith then asks Osferth about Finan and how they’re true warriors. As night falls, the group settles down to sleep. ("Episode 4.6")
The following morning, they continue their journey to Ceaster. Eadith fears that Ælfwynn is getting sick. Uhtred is aware, but tells Eadith to simply reassure her. Unfortunately, they are tracked down by Eardwulf and his guards. They find themselves in a swamp filled with dead bodies, certainly the result of the sickness. So, they are forced to fight their way out. Eardwulf demands they hand over Ælfwynn, but Uhtred refuses. Finan tells Æthelstan to run into the trees when the fighting starts and Sihtric hands him a knife. As the guards inch towards them, Eadith reveals that her brother killed Lord Æthelred and she’s willing to swear it on the book. She adds that Eardwulf is also responsible for the delay of their return to Mercia. Eadith has proof off his crime. She tells the guards to look inside the pouch that her brother wears around his neck. In it is Æthelred’s ring. And so, Eardwulf’s guards turn on him. Eadith advises Eardwulf to save himself and flee to Frankia. He heeds Eadith’s warning and leaves. Uhtred then picks up Æthelred’s ring off the ground. ("Episode 4.6")
Wollerton, Mercia; Sihtric asks for his blade back from Æthelstan. Uhtred orders young Uhtred and Sihtric to find Æthelflæd and tell her that Ælfwynn is safe. Eadith and Osferth will guard her until Edward has sworn he won’t harm her. Eadith fears that Ælfwynn is getting worse. Uhtred asks that Eadith keep her alive until he returns. Eadith tells him that she and Osferth will do everything they can. ("Episode 4.6")
Wyre Forest, Mercia; Osferth and Eadith take Ælfwynn to a healer in the Wyre Forest. The woman offers them wormwood, which is known to kill men. Eadith feels they have no choice. Should Ælfwynn die, they’ll be to blame as it’s believed that only sinners catch the sickness. Eadith drinks the wormwood herself before giving it to Ælfwynn. Later, Eadith and Osferth check in on Ælfwynn but she won’t wake up and her breathing is weak. Eadith proposes they take her to a healer in Aegelesburg. ("Episode 4.7")
Aegelesburg, Mercia; They arrive outside the gates of Aegelesburg and are welcomed inside with an unconscious Ælfwynn in arms. Edward orders Cenric to find him every healer in town and not to speak a word of this to anyone. ("Episode 4.7")
Æthelflæd arrives soon thereafter. Ælswith reveals to Æthelflæd that Ælfwynn is very much alive. They enter Ælfwynn’s chamber to find Eadith watching over her. Ælfwynn awakens and gives her mother a hug. ("Episode 4.7")
Æthelflæd awakens in bed with her daughter, who's recovered now. ("Episode 4.8")
Eadith watches over Ælfwynn and Æthelstan as they play on the swings and in the yard. However, she says goodbye to them after being told by Æthelflæd that she can't remain in Aegelesburg. ("Episode 4.8")
Family[]
This list shows Ælfwynn's family:
- The † means that the individual is dead.
- The ° means the individual appears more than once in this list.
| Individual | Relationship | Notice | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parents | Æthelflæd (of Wessex and Mercia) | Mother | † | ° |
| Æthelred (of Mercia) | Father | † | ° | |
| Significant Other(s) | Cynlaef | Lover | ||
| Grandparents | Alfred (of Wessex) | Maternal Grandfather | † | |
| Ælswith (of Mercia and Wessex) | Maternal Grandmother | † | ° | |
| Æthelwulf (of Berkshire and Mercia) | Paternal Grandfather | † | ||
| Æthelwulf (of Wessex) | Maternal Great Grandfather | † | ° | |
| Æthelred Mucel (of Mercia) | Maternal Great Grandfather | † | ° | |
| Æthelred Mucel (of Mercia) | Paternal Great Grandfather | † | ° | |
| Others | Edward (of Wessex) | Maternal Uncle | † | |
| Osferth | Maternal Uncle | |||
| Æthelred (of Wessex) | Maternal Great Uncle | † | ° | |
| Æthelwulf (of Berkshire and Mercia) | Maternal Great Uncle | † | ° | |
| Ælswith (of Mercia and Wessex) | Paternal Great Aunt | † | ° | |
| Æthelstan (of Wessex) | First Cousin | |||
| Ælfweard (of Wessex) | First Cousin | † | ||
| Ædgyth (of Wessex and Northumbria) | First Cousin | |||
| Æthelwold (of Wessex) | First Cousin, Once Removed | † | ||
| Æthelred (of Mercia) | First Cousin, Once Removed | † | ° | |
| Æthelflæd (of Wessex and Mercia) | First Cousin, Once Removed | † | ° | |
| Individual | Relationship | Notice | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parents | Æthelflæd (of Wessex and Mercia) | Mother | † | ||
| Erik Thurgilson | Biological Father | † | |||
| Grandparents | Alfred (of Wessex) | Maternal Grandfather | † | ||
| Ælswith (of Mercia and Wessex) | Maternal Grandmother | ||||
| Others | Edward (of Wessex) | Maternal Uncle | |||
| Osferth | Maternal Uncle | ||||
| Æthelred (of Wessex) | Maternal Great Uncle | † | |||
| Sigefrid Thurgilson | ] Paternal Uncle | † | |||
| Æthelstan (of Wessex) | First Cousin | ||||
| Ælfweard (of Wessex) | First Cousin | ||||
| Ædgyth (of Wessex) | First Cousin | ||||
| Æthelwold (of Wessex) | First Cousin, Once Removed | † |
| Individual | Relationship | Notice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parents | Æthelflæd (of Wessex and Mercia) | Mother | ° |
| Æthelred (of Mercia) | Father | ° | |
| Grandparents | Alfred the Great (of Wessex) | Maternal Grandfather | |
| Ælswith (of Wessex and Mercia) | Maternal Grandmother | ° | |
| Æthelwulf (of Berkshire and Mercia) | Paternal Grandfather | ° | |
| Æthelwulf (of Wessex) | Maternal Great Grandfather | ||
| Osburh (of Wessex) | Maternal Great Grandmother | ||
| Æthelred Mucel (of Mercia) | Maternal Great Grandfather | ° | |
| Æthelred Mucel (of Mercia) | Paternal Great Grandfather | ° | |
| Eadburh (of Mercia) | Paternal Great Grandmother | ||
| Others | Æthelstan (of Wessex) | First Cousin | |
| Ædgyth (of Wessex and York) | First Cousin | ||
| Ælfweard (of Wessex) | First Cousin | ||
| Edwin (of Wessex) | First Cousin | ||
| Æthelhild (of Wessex and Wilton Abbey) | First Cousin | ||
| Eadgifu (of Wessex and the West Franks) | First Cousin | ||
| Eadflæd (of Wessex and Wilton Abbey) | First Cousin | ||
| Eadhild (of Wessex and the Franks) | First Cousin | ||
| Eadgyth (of Wessex and the East Franks) | First Cousin | ||
| Ælfgifu (of Wessex) | First Cousin | ||
| Edmund (of Wessex) | First Cousin | ||
| Eadred (of Wessex) | First Cousin | ||
| Eadburh (of Wessex and Winchester) | First Cousin | ||
| Æthelwine (of Wessex) | First Cousin | Æthelweard | |
| Ælfwine (of Wessex) | First Cousin | Æthelweard | |
| Arnulf (of Flanders) | First Cousin | Ælfthryth | |
| Adalulf (of Flanders and Boulogne) | First Cousin | Ælfthryth | |
| Ealswid (of Flanders) | First Cousin | Ælfthryth | |
| Ermentrud (of Flanders) | First Cousin | Ælfthryth | |
| Æthelwold (of Wessex) | First Cousin, Once Removed | ||
| Æthelhelm (of Wessex) | First Cousin, Once Removed | Æthelred | |
| Æthelflæd (of Wessex and Mercia) | First Cousin, Once Removed | ° | |
| Æthelred (of Mercia) | First Cousin, Once Removed | ° | |
| Edward the Elder (of Wessex) | Maternal Uncle | ||
| Æthelgifu (of Wessex and Shaftesbury) | Maternal Aunt | ||
| Æthelweard (of Wessex) | Maternal Uncle | ||
| Ælfthryth (of Wessex and Flanders) | Maternal Aunt | ||
| Osferth (of Wessex) | Maternal Uncle | ? | |
| Æthelred (of Wessex) | Maternal Great Uncle | ||
| Æthelstan (of Wessex and Kent) | Maternal Great Uncle | ||
| Æthelswith (of Wessex and Mercia) | Maternal Great Aunt | ||
| Æthelbald (of Wessex) | Maternal Great Uncle | ||
| Æthelberht (of Wessex) | Maternal Great Uncle | ||
| Æthelwulf (of Mercia and Berkshire) | Maternal Great Uncle | ° | |
| Ælswith (of Mercia and Wessex) | Paternal Great Aunt | ° |
Appearances[]
The Saxon Stories[]
| Books | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Saxon Stories | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
The Last Kingdom[]
| Episodes | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | ||||||||||
| Season 2 | ||||||||||
| Season 3 | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||
| Season 4 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||
| Season 5 | ||||||||||
| Seven Kings Must Die |
Trivia[]
- This character has been based on a real historical figure of Ælfwynn.
- The name Ælfwynn comes from Old English The name is made up of the words ælf, which means "elf", and wynn, which means "joy, pleasure".
- Ælfwynn is a noble; she was born to the Lord and Lady of Mercia, then briefly succeeded her mother as the Lady of Mercia.
- Ælfwynn was born around c.888. Her year of birth or death are unknown unknown. If the book series followed the factual date of Ælfwynn's birth then these are her ages throughout the books:
- In "The Burning Land", it is 892-893, she is 4-5 years old.
- In "Death of Kings", it is 899-902, she is 11-14 years old.
- In "The Pagan Lord", it is 909-910, she is 21-22 years old.
- In "The Empty Throne", it is 911, she is 23 years old.
- In "Warriors of the Storm", it is 917, she is 29 years old.
- In "The Flame Bearer", it is 918, she is 30 years old.
- In "War of the Wolf", it is 923-924, she is 35-36 years old.
- In "Sword of Kings", it is 924, she is 36 years old.
- In "War Lord", it is 937, she is 49 years old. (assumed)