Myrcna Hlaefdige and Regina Saxonum: Gender, power and connected communities in the representations of Aethelflaed in insular manuscripts of the 9th-11th centuries

• Grant number: 24/01026-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2024
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - History - Ancient and Medieval History
• Principal Investigator: Maria Cristina Correia Leandro Pereira
• Grantee: Filipe Correa Figueiredo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/02912-3 - A connected history of the Middle Ages: communication and circulation from the Mediterranean Sea, AP.TEM

Abstract

In the 9th century, King Alfred of Wessex initiated a political project aimed at expanding his zone of influence and power over Anglo-Saxon England. Building upon his political achievements he and his successors sought ways to justify the expansion of Wessex's borders, such as promoting Anglo-Saxon unity against Norse invaders. The strategy proved successful, leading to the formation of the Kingdom of England. However, through the chronicles and annals produced in that period and region, it is possible to observe an erasure of interpretations from other Celtic-Anglo-Saxon communities regarding the political landscape taking shape, particularly those that could pose a threat to this hegemony. A significant example is the case of Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians. The aim of our research is to analyze representations of Aethelflaed in insular manuscripts from the 9th to 11th centuries that survived the political project of the Wessex kings. This analysis will focus on gender studies as well as the exchanges and connections between Celtic-Anglo-Saxon communities.