AETHELFLAED AND ELFWYNNE - RULERS OF ANGLO-SAXON MERCIA
The paper looks into specificity of Mercian political history in the reign of Alfred’s the Great daughter Aethelflaed and her heiress Elfwynne. The current research is based on the wide range of narrative texts and charters, relating to English history of the 9<sup>th</sup> - 10<sup>th</sup> cc. It is shown that the bright reign of Athelflaed and the accession to the throne of her only daughter were enabled by a complex of historical circumstances and an outstanding personality of Aethelflaed, due to military skills she had inherited from her distinguished father. An equally important role should be assigned to a tradition, that for many decades allowed Mercian women to participate in public affairs.