Women of the Tenth Century

 Medieval Women Who Changed History: Lived 901 - 1000

In the tenth century, a few women achieved power but almost entirely through their fathers, husbands, sons, and grandsons. Some even served as regents for their sons and grandsons. As Europe's Christianization became nearly complete, it was more common for women to achieve power by founding monasteries, churches, and convents. Women's value to royal families was mainly as childbearers and as pawns to move around in dynastic marriages. Occasionally, women (like Aethelflaed) led military forces, or (like Marozia and Theodora) wielded direct political power.

A few women (like Andal, Lady Li, and Hrosvitha) achieved prominence as artists and writers.

Saint Ludmilla: 840 - 916

Ludmilla raised and educated her grandson, a duke, and the future Saint Wenceslaus. Ludmilla was key in the Christianization of her country. She was murdered by her daughter-in-law Drahomira, a nominal Christian.

Ludmilla was married to Borivoj, who was the first Christian Duke of Bohemia. Ludmilla and Borivoj were baptized about 871. Conflict over religion drove them from their country, but they were soon recalled and ruled together for seven years more. Ludmilla and Borivoj then resigned and turned over rule to their son Spytihnev, who died two years later. Another son Vratislav then succeeded.

Married to Drahomira, a nominal Christian, he left his eight-year-old son Wenceslaus to rule. Wenceslaus had been raised and educated by Ludmilla. Another son (perhaps a twin) Boreslav "the Cruel" was raised and educated by his father and mother.

Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians: ? - 918

Aethelflaed was a daughter of Alfred the Great. Aethelflaed became a political and military leader when her husband was killed in battle with the Danes in 912. She went on to unify Mercia.

Aelfthryth (877 - 929)

She’s known mainly as a genealogical link of Anglo Saxon kings to the Anglo-Norman dynasty. Her father was Alfred the Great, her mother Ealhswith, and her siblings included Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians, Aethelgifu, Edward the Elder, Aethelweard.