Alhflaed (Bernicia) of Mercia (bef. 653 - aft. 656)

Born before 0653 in Bernicia

Ancestors

Died after 0656 after age 3 in Mercia

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Alehfleda (Bernicia) of Mercia was a member of aristocracy in ancient Europe. Join: Medieval Project Discuss: medieval

Biography

Alhflaed (d. after 656).^[1] alias: Alehfleda.^[2]

Parents

• Father: Osiwu, King of Bernicia (Northumbria).^[3]
• Mother: UNKNOWN mistress.^[4]

Marriage

Alhflaed married Paeda, the son of Penda, King of Mercia.

m. (c. 653) Peada, King of Mercia (d. 17 Apr 656; father: Penda). No known issue.^[5][6]

Bede writes, that on being made King of the Middle Angles, Paeda 'came to Oswy, king of the Northumbrians, requesting to have his daughter Alchfled given him to wife'. King Oswy (Oswiu) made the betrothal of Paeda and Alchfled conditional upon Peada's baptism and conversion to Christianity. Paeda, encouraged by his friend Alchfrid (Alhfrith), a son of Oswy who had married Paeda's sister Cyneburh, willingly agreed and 'was baptized by Bishop Finan, with all his nobles and thegns, and their servants that came along with him.' ^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLAND,%20AngloSaxon%20&%20Danish%20Kings.htm#_ftnref479
2. ↑ http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLAND,%20AngloSaxon%20&%20Danish%20Kings.htm#_ftnref479
3. ↑ http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLAND,%20AngloSaxon%20&%20Danish%20Kings.htm#_ftnref479
4. ↑ http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLAND,%20AngloSaxon%20&%20Danish%20Kings.htm#_ftnref479
5. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=zcgxEvGAK_kC&lpg=PA5&dq=Alhflaed%20Bernicia&pg=PA5#v=onepage&q=Alhflaed%20Bernicia&f=false
6. ↑ http://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ENGLAND,%20AngloSaxon%20&%20Danish%20Kings.htm#_ftnref474
7. ↑ The Project Gutenberg EBook of Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England - Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum book: ll; ch: 21 p:180; trans: A.M.Sellar 1907

See also:

• Pryde, E.B. & D. E. Greenway, D.E. (1996). Handbook of British Chronology, (pp.3). Cambridge University Press Google Books.

King Penda & his wife had [eight] children:

1. PEADA (-murdered [17 Apr] 656[475]). William of Malmesbury names (in order) "Weda, Wulfer, Ethelred, Merewald, Mercelin" as the sons of King Penda & his wife[476]. Bede records that "Peada filio Pendan regis" was baptised by Finan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, at the time of his marriage, dating the event to two years before the death of King Penda[477]. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records that he succeeded his father in 654[478] as PEADA King of Mercia, but only ruled south of the river Trent under the overlordship of Oswiu King of Northumbria, his father-in-law. That part of Mercia north of the river Trent was effectively annexed by Northumbria after Penda's defeat. Finan Bishop of Lindisfarne consecrated Diuma in 654 as bishop of a see comprising Mercia, Middle Anglia and Lindsay. Bede records that "Peada" was killed was killed in spring [656] "by the treachery, as is said, of his wife"[479]. After his death, Oswiu King of Northumbria became ruler of the whole of Mercia until 657 when Peada's brother Wulfhere was proclaimed king. m (653) ALHFLÆD [Alehfleda], illegitimate daughter of OSWIU King of Bernicia [Northumbria] & his mistress --- (-after 656). Bede records that "Peada filio Pendan regis" married "Osuiu…filiam eius Alchfledam" on condition that he accepted Christainity[480]. William of Malmesbury states that Peada married the (unnamed) daughter of King Oswiu "on condition of renouncing his idols and embracing Christianity" and that Peada's death was "hastened as they say by the intrigues of his wife"[481]. The primary source which confirms that she was illegitimate has not yet been identified. Bede records that "Peada" was killed was killed in spring [656] "by the treachery, as is said, of his wife"[482].

2. WULFHERE ([638/39]-675).

note re friend's spouse - Alchfrid (Alhfrith), a son of Oswiu married Paeda's sister Cyneburh, m CYNEWISE [Kineswitha] --- (-after 654). Bede records that "alius filius eius Ecgfrid" was a hostage "in provincia Merciorum apud reginam Cynuise" when "rex Osuiu…cum Alchfrido filio" defeated and killed Penda King of Mercia near "fluvium Vinuaed", undated[473]. William of Malmesbury names Kineswitha as the queen of Penda[474].