To Be A Queen

by Annie Whitehead

One family, two kingdoms, one common enemy ...
This is the true story of Aethelflaed, the ‘Lady of the Mercians’, daughter of Alfred the Great. She was the only female leader of an Anglo-Saxon kingdom.
Born into the royal house of Wessex at the height of the Viking wars, she is sent to her aunt in Mercia as a foster-child, only to return home when the Vikings overrun Mercia. In Wessex, she witnesses another Viking attack and this compounds her fear of the enemy.
She falls in love with a Mercian lord but is heartbroken to be given as bride to the ruler of Mercia to seal the alliance between the two Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
She must learn to subjugate her feelings for her first love, overcome her indifference to her husband and win the hearts of the Mercians who despise her as a foreigner and twice make an attempt on her life.
When her husband falls ill and is incapacitated, she has to learn to rule and lead an army in his stead. Eventually she must fight to save her adopted Mercia from the Vikings and, ultimately, her own brother.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Medieval, Fiction, Anglo Saxon

406 pages, ebook

First published November 6, 2013

Reviews

[David Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to begin..I really enjoyed this book. It’s a powerful coming of age tale of Aethelflaed or Teasel as she’s referred to in the book.

At first I didn’t like her but after she was wed to Ethelred and she starts to warm to him I found myself warming to her. Although I have to admit Ethelred was my favourite character in the book. He oozed power and respect and I loved reading any scene with these two in.

The tale is set over many years and we see Teasel grow from a little girl into a powerful woman who manages to break down her defences and those of the Mercians to win their loyalty and to fight for their lives and their land.

We see Teasel deal with love & death.. and a lot of it. You could imagine yourself in her position having no choice to marry a man for convenience.. whilst being in love with another. As she grows she has to deal with those she cares about dying around her.. ageing.. fighting and you sometimes feel that she is about to crack.

The book is full of detail, add to this an insightful historical note from the author left me in no doubt this is a 5 star book. I couldn’t have enjoyed it more.

Annie Whitehead manged to make the character of Aethelflaed come alive for me.. I felt for her..i didn’t want to put the book down

I’ve used this word before but indeed the word that springs to mind when I think about this book is Powerful! Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will enjoy this and anyone who loves a female heroine will absolutely fall in love with it. The development of the two main characters was superb.

This book is a perfect mix of historical detail, love and death to engross any reader.

I was also left thinking about the frailty of life and how things don’t always go the way we would like but that doesn’t mean you give up.. you fight. Not many books leave me with afterthoughts such as this. Credit to the author.. this book had a lot of depth in my view and I loved it.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was asked to review this wonderful novel for Discovering Diamonds I had no hesitation in saying ‘yes’. I had read it a good while ago when it was first published, but I was, this time around, awed by the new, stunning, cover (designed by Avalon Graphics) and was every bit as delighted with the pleasure of reading the text again. If anything, second time around was even better.

We have all (if you are interested in England’s history) heard of Alfred the Great – but what of his children, particularly, his daughter who became The Lady of Mercia? Set between AD 874 and AD 918, the research about the period, and of Æthelflæd's life, is impeccable, all the characters are believable and the writing, beautiful. Ms Whitehead handles the politics, the personal feelings, the warfare, all with equal skill.

It is, I admit, difficult to get the mind (and tongue) around some of the unfamiliar Anglo-Saxon names, but I handled it by mentally giving the characters nicknames (helped by the fact that Æthelflæd herself was known as Teasel.) The narrative, however, is so evocative you can easily skim over the little stumbles of pronunciation.

What is so enthralling about this novel is the dexterity of the author's ability to blend the facts (the few known) with the imagined or plain ‘made-up’. This is how historical fiction should be written, how history should be told – as well-crafted, superb storytelling. Brava Ms Whitehead! A Diamond read indeed.

Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds

[Geoff Boxell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"She was a king's daughter, a leader's wife, a leader in her own right, and, in her own eyes, a woman last." A true description of Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, daughter of King Aelfred and sister of King Edward.
I was recommended to this book, but almost didn't buy it: the title was wrong (she never was a queen for a start) and the cover was so bland - neither title nor cover convey what/who the book is about.
In AD 874 the only English kingdom not under Danish (Viking) domination was Wessex and the Danes wanted that too. The story starts with Aethelflaed as a child fleeing to Somerset to escape the Vikings, covers her arranged marriage to Aethelraed, Lord of the Mercians and finally her leadership partnered with her brother in the drive to place England back under English rule.
This book is multi layered, it is a story of unfulfilled love, a story about the difficulties of arranged marriages, the problems of being a woman in a man's world, a story of endurance and resilience: it is a wonderfully written story that I almost didn't read.
I am a student of this period and I loved the wonderful & accurate detailing the author weaves into it, and the weaving is not apparent either.
I highly recommend this book, not just for those who want to read an interesting and arresting tale, but for those who want to get a feel for the period.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad that I saw Annie Whitehead's book link on twitter and downloaded this book. I enjoyed it so much that I read it right through although I had an important ARC to read! I will get one of the others right now on my kindle.

Aethelflaed was the Lady of the Mercians, was the daughter of Alfred the Great. Since I just finished a couple books on this period in medieval Britain I was glad to read more about Alfred and was very glad also to read about Edward, her brother. The majority of my genetic heritage is from Ireland and this area of Britain, and this book was thrilling to read.


Especially important is the author's great knowledge of this period and her grasp of how important is this history. % stars and am on to the next one and then to the 7th century and Penda

[Clemens Schoonderwoert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful book has been my very first acquaintance with this fine author, and I have to admit that it has a fascinating experience.
Being a fan of "The Last Kingdom" series, books and drama, I've come to learn at a certain point about the Lady Aethelflaed, daughter of King Alfred of Wessex, and so to find that my interest got stirred in this great lady and so to buy this book.
The historical details concerning this story have been very thoroughly researched by the author, with the known documentations about this period of history available, and they are superbly implemented within this wonderful tale about the life, from childhood to Queen, of (Little) Teasel or Lady Aethelflaed of Mercia.
At the beginning of the book you'll find a list of real historical characters who're featuring in this story, and you'll notice a superb glossary, not to forget a short informative intro, while at the back of the book you'll find a well documented Author's Notes, wherein Names are explained as well as important events and issues are brought forward by the author for the reader's attention.
Storytelling is of a wonderful quality for the author certainly has the ability in bringing Saxon Britain and all its Kings, Queens, and all other important people vividly to life within this beautiful story, with the main part reserved of course for Lady Aethelflaed, according to the Irish and a lot of other people is Queen of Mercia, and also for a great part her brother King Edward, for bringing together Wessex and Mercia and striving to defeat all Vikings from Britain and to form one united England in the end, as their ultimate goal.
The book is divided into 4 parts and it is set between the years AD 874 until AD 918, and it tells us the story of (Teasel) Aethelflaed from young girl to Lady, and all that she manages to achieve in her life, and finally becoming out of love according to her people in Mercia their Lady and Queen.
This story takes us on a historical journey concerning the life and achievements of this wonderful and daring Lady of the Mercians, Aethelflaed, and this eventful journey is brought to us by the author in a most enjoyable, warm and lovely fashion.
Very much recommended, for this book is a beautiful written description about a most remarkable woman in history, and that's why I would like to call this book: "Honour The Queen, This Lady Of Mercia"!

[Paula Lofting · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fictionalised tale of a historical woman, Æthelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, based on true facts of what is known of her and the times in which she lived. Teasel, as the author has nick-named her, is the daughter of the great king, Alfred of Wessex. Her father wants her to marry a Lord of Mercia to form an alliance between the two English kingdoms so that they might be ever stronger to defeat the scourge of the Danes. For years, these 'Vikings' have been invading and settling, raping, pillaging and sending terror into the hearts of the English people. Teasel has grown up as a child living with the threat of the Danes always hanging over her, but it is not until she is old enough to understand the fear that her mother constantly displayed when she was a child, that she understands what it is she fears the most. Then the day comes when her heart, who she had given to another, is broken and she is set on a course of unhappiness and despair as she struggles to come to terms with her plight. Married to a man she does not love, who is indifferent to her, she must first gain the respect and understanding of the suspicious Mercians, before she can give herself wholly to him, mind body and soul. This is no easy task through the years, but eventually she wins out, through her indomitable, endless spirit, and then she must act to save her beloved adopted country from the Vikings.

This is one of the rare books that have managed to captivate my heart. I’m a fussy reader, that’s not to say that I can’t enjoy many books, but only on some occasions does a book take my breath away, completely. For a book to do this, there must be a plot that grabs me, make me either smile to myself, or sigh wistfully, wishing that it was I who had just written that passage. Strangely enough, the plot in To be a Queen, has no arc, there are 4 parts to this book; first being, Girl; the second, Woman; third, Wife and finally, Queen, which, in reality she never was. The narrative moves through each stage of her life and it is only towards the last half of the book that we see the characters of Teasel and Ethelred come into their own, both as a couple and as individuals as their story develops more deeply. To begin with, whenever there was a hint of conflict, it would always come to naught. (It would not be appropriate to give an example as it may be considered to be a spoiler.) I found this a little frustrating, because I was expecting something to ‘happen’ but it never does. There are no storming build-ups to tension, nothing really bad ever happens, (not that we see, anyway) and in most cases, this would annoy the hell out of me, but strangely enough, the slower pace and the lack of action are exactly right for this book, and although I might not have written it that way myself, Whitehead manages to captivate me with her beautiful prose and in-depth knowledge of the period and the language which shines throughout the whole of the book.

This is not a book that follows Æthelflaed into war, although we do see some of that later in the book. It is essentially a story of how things might have been, using the known facts and events that happened during her time to design a plausible story of her life. It is a love story, but not in the bodice ripper style (not usually my cup of tea), but written in beautiful, deep emotional scenes, that give us a vision of a woman’s love for a man she had never wanted to wed. What I loved most about this book is the way Whitehead uses a wide knowledge of vocabulary of the time and a skilful writing talent to describe characters thoughts, feelings and actions. The dialogue is well crafted, and made me imagine that I was hearing the language in the manner it would have been spoken, not of course in Old English, but using the modern equivalent of. All this, and what we are given, is a subtle story that filters its way into the reader’s mind in the same way a patient might be drip-fed blood. It flows, like a boat carried on a river's current, passing through time, stopping for a while before it continues on again to reach the end of Æthelflaed’s life.

It is a shame that we know so little about this amazing woman who, it was said, was so beloved of the Mercians, she was trusted to lead an army against the Vikings and other enemies. We know she did this, but we don’t know whether or not she actually wielded a sword and fought in the battle itself, or just commanded. We don’t know to what extent her knowledge of warfare was, though there is evidence to say that Ethelred was advising her. In Whitehead’s version, she has ‘Teasel’ learn to fight and wield a sword so she can ride out with her army and at the very least attempt to protect herself. Personally, I think she was too important to actually fight in the shieldwall, for she would no doubt be injured at some point, not having the strength, as a woman, to fight hand to hand with experienced male opponents. But that’s just my opinion, perhaps she was skilful and strong, but given that even the dangerous, most doughty warriors could not always protect themselves from being mortally wounded in a melee, then I think it unlikely. She was needed as a figurehead more than a warrior, and although Whitehead puts her in the midst of a shieldwall in one scene, she doesn’t have her doing anything foolhardy or practically impossible. Æthelflaed is not a shieldmaiden, nor is she a walcyrie. and I was glad of that, as I do not like historical fiction where women are made to do the impossible. Shieldmaidens would not have lasted long in a battle, and although I can see no reason not to have women fight if the story asks for it, it must be plausible. If they are going to fight, then they should not be slaughtering multitudes of men in one strike, and anyone who wants to write a book called ‘Shieldmaiden’ needs to do so with caution.

We probably know more about Æthelflaed than Ethelred, her husband, but we know nothing of their relationship, whether it was a good one, or if it was troublesome. There is later evidence that cannot be fully believed, that she had only one child because of the pain she had endured in childbirth. I’m not entirely convinced that this is true, but if it is true, then perhaps we can imagine that her relationship with her husband might have been strained.

I cannot praise Annie Whitehead’s style of prose enough. She has a very fluid approach to her writing, which is deep, and thoughtful, and encompasses what is going on in the background around her characters. Each passage is generally shown in the point of view of either Æthelflaed, her brother Edward, or her husband Ethelred. There is no head hopping, which if overdone, usually drives me insane. The narrative is solid, and the story flows along.

If you cannot tell by now how enamoured I was with this book, I must impress upon you that this book is one of those that I have enjoyed reading most in my life. It is definitely going on my must read again shelf, though I rarely read books more than once. If you enjoy historical fiction, this should be on everyone’s must read shelf, especially if you like stories told through the eyes of women, and don’t mind that the battle scenes are scarce. The story of Lady Æthelflaed as told by Annie Whitehead will haunt you and stay with you for a long time, as I know it will with me.
A well done to Ms Whitehead

[Bjørn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read "To Be a Queen" for a while – I know those events from... the other side :) The story of Wessex and Mercia, of Æthelflæd and Ethelred, pulled me in and kept until the last page – including the author's note. Maybe it was because I knew nothing about this period in English history and even the title could have been read in two ways – did Teasel (Æthelflæd) want to be a queen, or did she have to learn how to be one?

I became so invested in the characters that every now and then I yelled at my e-reader and once I had to put it down, because I needed a breather before finding out what would happen next (true story!). Teasel – the girl forced into an arranged marriage and sent away from home and a woman whose life never became easy... or boring. Ethelred – brave, jealous, strong... and shy. Their stories felt very real; I've had tears in my eyes a few times – not something that happens often.

Every now and then I became confused for what I would describe as "technical reasons". Sometimes the point of view changed from one chapter to the next and sometimes it didn't, which was not reflected in chapter titles and I had to wait for the character to be explicitly named. Speaking of chapter titles, they were dates of the events described, but since my e-reader didn't display the title of current chapter and my short-term memory is non-existent every now and then I didn't know whether the following chapter was taking part a year or five years later, until I figured it out from context. I think I would have made my life easier had I bought the paperback rather than the e-book. On the other hand Whitehead has done a great job either slightly altering the names or coming up with nicknames, making it possible to differentiate between all the people whose names started with Æ (honestly, read the author's note and weep, the English clearly liked this letter VERY MUCH). The writing style was perfectly balanced, neither too modern nor too medieval, neither too colloquial nor stilted.

I know this is not how history works, but I want a sequel. With some of the characters resurrected. Except that one who was an a**hole. If that's not going to happen, I'd like to see the book made into TV series. Surely that's not too much to ask?

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderfully vivid historical novel, which I enjoyed very much. When I started the book I did have to refer to the “character list” several times partly because several of the people had names either starting with “Ethel---“ or “Aethel---“ and I did find myself getting a bit confused as to who was who. However I quickly overcame this and soon found myself caught up in a very exciting tale.
I loved the character of Aethelflaed, and loved how her character developed into a woman of strength which we had followed right from being a child.
All the characters were well fleshed out and the descriptions of places helped to give a real feeling of being there. This was not a period of time that I knew a great deal about, but I feel I know it a lot better now.
I can definitely recommend this book.

[Richard Tearle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life and times of one of the most remarkable women of all time is beautifully described by author Annie Whitehead. Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mericans, was King Alfred's daughter and, through marriage became virtually queen of Mercia when her husband was ill and eventually passed away. She led armies against the Scandanavian invaders and built a line of fortresses across the the country - yet few people know of her!
But thanks to Annie, we now have the opportunity to learn more. Ms Whitehead certainly knows her stuff and, just as importantly, she knows how to write as well.
This is a marvellous book about a period of history that is rarely covered in historical fiction. These 'Dark Ages' are brought to life on every page and I thoroughly recommend this wonderful book.

[Anya Pavelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book not only for its beautiful writing and description but also for its references to Anglo-Saxon culture and language, which I studied during grad school. Whitehead also captures the complicated politics between Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the Vikings who raided England during that time. Those who love female-centric historical fiction, especially from the medieval era, will enjoy this book.

[Amy McElroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Whitehead had written such an entrancing portrayal full of emotion as we follow Aethelflaed from a young girl until her demise.

When I say emotional I really do mean it, I sobbed at some parts.
The losses, heartbreak and ordeals faced by her are immense.

Annie Whitehead explains in her authors note how some of the names spelling have been amended to make it easier for readers to keep track which I was grateful for.

Full review on endotheroad667559661.wordpress.com

[Pat Wahler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a time period that I don't ordinarily read, but I soon found myself drawn into the story of Aethelflaed (nicknamed Teasel), daughter of Alfred the Great, and destined through circumstances to lead her adopted country of Mercia.

The author did an amazing job of world-building, seamlessly putting the reader into this time period. I grew quite fond of Teasel and respected her determination to do her best in the circumstances given. There is also an interesting love aspect to the story, where she must decide between duty and the direction her heart leads.

This is a fascinating read, well-researched and written in a most engaging style. Highly recommend!

[farR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

Medieval Anglo-Saxon history is my very favorite subject. I found this book and its tale exciting and satisfying indeed.

The writing is great, the research is extensive. I would read more from this author.

[Jean Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convincing and surprising!
I’d never heard of Æthelflæd (shame on me) until I watched Bernard Cornwell’s interpretation of her role in history, in the dramatic series ‘The Last Kingdom’ and I wanted to know more about her. This is the perfect novel to bring this remarkable 9th century woman to life and the age in which she lives.
Whereas Cornwell sets larger than life fictional heroes in a tweaked (!) version of real history, Annie Whitehead follows the history. What she loses in the freedom to make a page-turning story, she gains in the ‘Well I never knew that’ enjoyment. And I did enjoy turning those pages!
When the main characters are real, I like a historical novel to both convince and to surprise: authentic in background but also bringing life to the characters and their relationships, in a way history reference books can’t. I want to feel I live in another time period, among real people whose lives keep me hooked on what happens next. Annie Whitehead delivered on all counts although it took me a chapter or two to get into the book.

The politics of Wessex, Mercia and the Danelaw is clearly portrayed with all the strategic battle detail you could want but what really struck me was the detail of daily life, so naturally conveyed: clothes, work, buildings gave a picture of the way of life. Æthelflæd is portrayed as a woman of her time, perhaps more remarkable for relying on her ailing husband’s strategic brilliance than if she were the amazon I’d like her to be.
I did come away with a very different view of the Lady of Mercia from the one I started with. I loved the portrayal; of her difficulties in fitting in and in gaining respect in this new not-kingdom. How wonderful that she is now considered to be a great ruler to the extent that her brother of Wessex is in her shadow (irony there).

Her husband Æthelred couldn’t be more different from Cornwell’s take and I am inclined to believe in this version! My only two question marks were over Anarawd – did she or didn’t she and how does that tally with the lost love of her youth. And the beekeeper’s practice of wintering his hives against a sheltered wall was likely to kill all his bees unless the wall was at least five miles from their original setting.

This is the sort of detail that draws me in, which is why I can thoroughly recommend ‘To Be a Queen’ if you wonder what real people in real history were like. Æthelflæd is somebody worth meeting!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Aethelflaed, daughter of Alfred the Great and a woman with a wonderful story of her own. Unfortunately, like many medieval women, her story has gone largely untold. With To Be A Queen, author Annie Whitehead aims to right that wrong and give Aethelflaed the credit she is due.

The reader gets to know this princess of Wessex by the pet name Teasel, which sets within the modern mind a little more comfortably than Aethelflaed. We first meet her as a little girl who hopes that she seems just grown up enough to be considered as a wife for the handsome Mercian soldier that she has fallen hard for. Her interactions with her brother, the future Kind Edward, establish a close bond that remains with them wherever life leads them.

Through each stage of Teasel's life, the author has injected this novel with a stunning amount of historical detail. The reader is truly transported into the 9th century and made a part of daily life - the hunger, hard work, and fear of invaders that plague the people of every station. Teasel is not immune because of her high position. In fact, she worries all the more and works even harder because she knows that she is responsible for a kingdom of people who depend upon her.

When Teasel becomes a lady of Mercia by marriage, her character shines through as strong and selfless. Her arranged marriage is not the one she was hoping for and the Mercians do not immediately welcome her presence. I enjoyed watching her mature and develop relationships that caused the people of her adopted kingdom to grow to love her.

This novel is a close look at Aethelflaed's corner of the world, but it also gives readers a peek at the wider politics of the English people. Viking invaders and struggles for power had the potential to change and destroy lives, sometimes based on the decisions and ambition of a single person. Teasel does her best to serve her husband and her people, but she is not made out to be the perfect princess. She makes mistakes, suffers heartache, and has regrets.

No longer lost to the distant past, Princess Aethelflaed is vividly brought to life in this well-written biographical novel.

[Jennie Marsland · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Be a Queen, by Annie Whitehead, is a real treat of a historical novel. This is the story of Teasel, the daughter of King Alfred the Great, set against the turbulent background of medieval England (9th-10th century A.D.)
These were times when Viking marauders harried England with relative impunity, with none of the island’s several kingdoms strong enough to repel the invaders. I know very little about this time period, and Whitehead’s richly detailed, meticulously researched novel was a wonderful way to learn.
As Teasel matures from child to young woman, we see her closeness to her brother Edward and her Uncle Wulf, in contrast to her difficult relationship with both parents. Her father is continually away at war, so he is almost a stranger to the young girl, while her mother lives in morbid fear of her husband dying in battle. As might be expected, Teasel is eventually given in marriage to a stranger – Ethelred, leader of Mercia - for the purpose of cementing an alliance. Her slow transformation from unwilling and unwanted bride to loving and beloved wife and lady of Mercia is beautifully written. At times it brought tears to my eyes. Teasel is portrayed as a woman of rare courage and compassion who indeed knows what it means to be a queen.
With Teasel at its centre, the story follows the ever-shifting alliances and fortunes of battle as England struggles to unite and drive the Vikings from the country permanently. I’ll make no attempt to detail the closely woven web of rivalries, friendships and betrayals that play out through the book. I’ll just say that it all makes fascinating reading. Whitehead’s voice puts me in mind of Mary Stewart’s Merlin series. I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical novels.

[Mercedes Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie Whitehead has tackled the story of a time mostly in the shadows, and has brought to light a woman whose life was uncommonly dazzling. Aethelflaed may have been a king’s daughter—King Alfred the Great, no less—but as with most royal daughters, her role was defined as peacemaker, destined to be married off to her father’s ally. Her own feelings were not taken into consideration, and the early part of the book dealt with her disappointments and difficulties as she discovered herself to be an outsider in her new home of Mercia. Even her husband, many years older than herself, was an enigma and she had to learn to love him as was her duty though not her inclination. In fact, throughout the book Aethelflaed was driven by obligation and commitment, which helped her earn the respect and finally the love of her adopted people. Was that enough? We’re not sure, but she never turned her back on responsibilities thrust upon her—first by her situation, later by fierce resistance to the Viking invasion, and finally by the need to step into her ailing husband’s shoes. Without planning it, the Lady of the Mercians became a leader and even a warrior, and the loyalty of her countrymen was enough to force her brother Edward, new King of Wessex, to accept her overlordship on the death of her husband. I saw Aethelflaed’s life as one of discontent but also triumph, for despite her early powerlessness she learned to overcome the prejudice against her sex and her origin. The daughter of Wessex helped bring peace to the land of Mercia. It was a very satisfying read.

[Marian Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I love about Annie Whitehead’s books is how she makes the lives of 9th and 10th century people so accessible and so real. Human emotions and human reactions don't change over time, really, and Alfred the Great’s daughter Aethyflaed (Teasel) lived a life of challenge and change. Accepting her role in uniting Mercia with Wessex, bringing it under Alfred’s influence, she is first only a submissive wife, doing her duty. But over the years, her personal strength and commitment – what we would now call agency - to holding ‘England’ against the Vikings culminated in ruling Mercia after her husband’s illness and death, an occurrence nearly unheard-of for the times. Whitehead intertwines the details of early medieval life with the politics of the day, bringing distant historical characters and events to life beautifully. Strongly recommended.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that TO BE A QUEEN by Annie Whitehead is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!

[Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent!

Truly great historical fiction is that which immerses the reader in the events of history without distorting them, yet at the same time transports them into the story so completely that they feel they know the people and places that they meet there. 'To Be A Queen' achieves this goal in the magnificent telling of the story of Aethelflæd, which comes from one of my favourite periods of English history, when the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Wessex and Mercia were in turn holding out against the Vikings and pushing them back, and when Alfred had not yet been named “ the Great" by those who recorded his role in history.

Whitehead's writing is superb, blending a seamless and powerful narrative with poetic terms like “king-helm” drawn from the Old English style such as that seen in ‘Beowulf' to give a reflection of how English was spoken then and to communicate ideas visually as well as verbally.

The author has created intimate and vivid portraits of the characters amongst the broad brush strokes of history, bringing to life the events and conflicts of the period in which Alfred, Ethelred and Edward fought to preserve England from the attacks and raids of the Vikings. Ancient kings, royal women, thegns, ealdormen, fractious children and servants alike are given flesh, emotions and qualities that make them leap off the page.

Aethelflæd is portrayed first as child, then as woman, then as the lady to whom all of Mercia pledged allegiance. Her vulnerabilities and flaws are real, giving a very strong sense of reality and familiarity to this woman of incredible strength and conviction. Aethelflæd has long been one of my favourite figures of English history, but I shall always feel from now on as though I know her more intimately and completely than before I read 'To Be A Queen'.

[E. L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not want this book to end.
I have been a ‘fan’ of Aethelflaed of Mercia (in so far as it is possible to be a fan of a historical figure) for a while now, and this book brings her story to vivid life. It is immaculately researched with notes at the back describing any gaps Whitehead has filled, as well as how and why.
As a piece of literature, To Be A Queen weaves the historical contents seamlessly into the narrative. The relationships between Aethelflaed- or Teasel, as she is affectionately nicknamed- and her husband, her brother, and her daughter are organic and feel real and human. Her emotions and decisions drive the story, even when the calls she makes are wrong, and we watch her grow from a naive and heartbroken girl to a competent and beloved leader. Perhaps that is what I loved most about the book- Teasel loves with no holds barred, and it is viewed as a source of her power and her strength rather than a weakness. It’s a welcome change to the stereotypical ‘strong female character’ and so much richer for it.
We also follow the stories of Ethelred, Lord of Mercia, and Edward of Wessex, her husband and brother. Whitehead sculpts their narratives too, independent but intertwined with Aethelflaed’s, and creates individual voices for all the major characters to follow their hopes, ambitions, and fears. It is masterful.
The opening is electric, the ending is bittersweet, and everything in between the first and last pages keeps you hooked. I will be re-reading this book.

[Maria Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read telling the true story of Aethelflaed, nicknamed in the book as Teasel, daughter of King Alfred the Great. The book spans decades, detailing Teasal's journey from a child terrified of Vikings to becoming the queen of Mercia.

This novel has been meticulously researched by Whitehead to make for a fully immersive read, splashing colour on an era of history that was largely unknown to me as a reader. It is extremely well written with characters that are very gripping (especially Teasel). Another great strength is Whitehead's use of 'zooming' - by which I mean that one page you could be reading a very close emotional scene between characters, but the next point Whitehead has flawlessly zoomed out to pan a character marching an army to war.

Being honest, there were a few points where the timeline and the different characters could be confusing, despite the glossary of a few people at the start and the handy subtitles telling you what year it was. However, even though at times I wasn't entirely sure which character was speaking or how old Teasel might be, Whitehead's clear narrative voice kept me gripped.

This was an excellent read and I heartily recommend, especially to historical fiction readers. I look forward to reading Whitehead's other works.
NB- this book took me so long to finish purely because of getting into poor reading habits, nothing to do with the quality of the book!

[Jo Beckford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book captured my attention straight away because it’s about one of my favourite women in pre-Conquest British history, Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians. She was Kind Alfred’s daughter and was wed to Ethelred, Lord of Mercia. Outside of Mercia, her role as a leader was not widely known, and what her marriage to Ethelred was like is not well documented. However, the surviving evidence shows that she was loved by her adopted people and proved to be great leader when she took over the role from her husband after he died.
Annie Whitehead, an accomplished historian herself, has merged surviving evidence with fiction to give us a glimpse into life as it might have been for a young lady from Alfred’s court, the daughter of the King no less, to travel to a less glamorous region of the country and make a new life for herself with the stranger she had been married off to. Whitehead does not glorify Aethelflaed and describes quite realistically what it must have taken for her, a West Saxon woman, to earn the trust and love of people who saw themselves as very much not West Saxon.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in important female figures in British History. I am currently also about halfway through her non-fiction work Women of Power in Anglo-Saxon England, and it is fascinating!

[Diana Ridout · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book, through which I have learned more about the politics, living conditions and people of that era than from any amount of formal historical-fact books. The finely drawn characters are well developed and believable and memorable. ( I still occasionally wonder what 'Teasel' is doing or how Alhelm would have reacted.)
Ms Whitehead writes with an easy style that grabbed me on page one and then hauled me into that world by the lapels, enticing me to read for much longer than I should with an early morning next day! The story moves at very fast pace, looking at all aspects of the personal and public life.of the girl they called Teasel who grew up to be the queen Aethelflaed.
This book excels in the personal relationships that Aethelflaed develops through the years, one such being her marriage. In her teens, she is sent to Mercia, to a loveless marriage with an older husband, Ethelred, a stranger who, thinking erroneously that her nick name of Teasel was given because she was prickly, is consequently unsure how to treat his young wife, leading to confusion and wasted years together..
It is an outstanding book and really made me feel part of Aethelflaed's life and community.

[Brook Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply loved this book.

Characters were fully realized, impactful, and drew me in. Whitehead's plotting was spot-on and the world-building was positively stellar. I love world-building that is sensual... that I can feel, taste, touch, smell, and hear. Whitehead is strong in this and it showed on every page. She does not shy away from battle-scenes, but forces the reader straight into the action, so that one's heart leaps at victories, and breaks at the death of a favorite warrior. Her research into the method of Anglo-Saxon warfare is obvious and I found myself comparing it to the Roman period, with which I'm more familiar.

This was one of the few books I've read on the Anglo-Saxon period. It was a terrifying time to be alive and politically, a confusing time with so many territories and factions. But have no fear! This is addressed with ease and given a logical, easy-to-follow approach with Whitehead your guide, making this book a real page-turner. Perhaps most impressive were the SEVERAL character arcs given special attention: Teasel, Ethelred, and Edward, in particular. This is a story about love of country, but especially about love and the importance of commitment, and how those virtues can triumph over all.

A gripping read and one to relish!

[ErinAlise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vikings have always been a threat. All during her childhood, Aethelflaed lived fearing an invasion, she witnessed on many occasions the devastation and terror that Vikings brought on her homeland. Her father, the King of Wessex, had attempted to buy an alliance with the Vikings, however that only brought on more war.
In an effort to band together and create a union of strength, her father accepts the offer for her hand in marriage to the ruler of Mercia. At first, her marriage is not without its difficulties, her husband treats her with indifference and the people of Mercia treat her with contempt, but as time passes by Aethelflaed’s kind nature wins them over. Years later, when her husband falls ill, Aethelflaed must take charge to save her new country not only from the Vikings but also her brother, the new King of Wessex.
As the daughter of Alfred the Great, Aethelflaed knew what it took to become a great leader. She was fierce but also kind, and loved by many. The book is very well written, the battle scenes are vividly portrayed, and I like how the chapters effortlessly flow. Even though I’ve read this before-I still enjoyed it just as much as I did years ago. Highly recommended read!

[Kevin Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m missing Anglo-Saxon Britain already!

Annie Whitehead invoked the life and times of Aethelflaed so well that I spent a sizeable chunk of last week immersed in late 9th and early 10th century Anglo-Saxon Britain. The Lady of Mercia is particularly significant in my hometown of Bridgnorth, as it's one the burhs that she established to keep the Danes at bay, after they'd wintered here in 895/6. A far more sympathetic treatment of Ethelred here too than in "The Last Kingdom" series, no spoilers but have to say I far prefer this Ethelred.

Thoroughly enjoyable read and learned a lot too!

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep your web browser open!

It is highly unusual for me to give a 5-star rating, Though well written, I found the first few chapters of this book to be rather boring but then I did some research. What I found was that this book, though historical fiction, is full of fascinating information about one of the first women to rule a part of what is now England, in her own right. She ruled Mercia for a relatively short period of time, but her Aethelflaed's accomplishments in helping to fight Viking invasions of now known as England and Wales phenomenal

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Stories and Netflix' s The Last Kingdom, this is the story of Aethelflaed. Daughter of King Alfred the Great, sister to King Edward, the Lady of Mercia became a female ruler in her own right in an era when women were mainly insignificant. Aethelflaed lives and thrives in turbulent times, just before England became a unified country. Highly recommended.

[Karl Wiseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only usually leave ratings but I loved this story of Lady Aethelflaed. From a young girl terrified of Vikings to a great lady, regarded a Queen of England to most outside of Wessex. Most books I read in the 'Dark Ages' revolve around battlefields and bloodshed. To Be A Queen has so much more, with tales of love and loss. I have already acquired more books from Annie Whitehead and I can't wait to read them.