Tettenhall’s Forgotten Place In The Beginning Of England
A project to permanently celebrate Aethelflaed, Lady Of Mercia, & the beginning of Anglo-Saxon England through the battles of Tettenhall and Wodensfield, 910AD
Project Lead - Rebecca Cresswell
Creative Director - Rachel Arnold
Local Historian - David Guest
An initiative is in progress to honor Aethelflaed, Lady of Mercia, and the inception of Anglo-Saxon England with the battles of Tettenhall and Wodensfield in 910 AD, through a permanent Art/Educational trail.
Rebecca Cresswell, the designated Project Lead, is aiding the District Trust in refining the project's blueprint and secure funding to progress the proposed stages of the project. Rebecca has a passion to drive education and community engagement and has a background in developing community arts programmes.
Rachel Arnold, a local artist and Creative Director funded by 'Creative Backcountry' , has laid a strong creative foundation for this endeavour with free to attend community workshops at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, numerous presentations, and exhibition stands at 'Cup Cake Lane Cafe' in Tettenhall, as well as during 'The Heritage Weekend' at Wightwick Manor in Wolverhampton, culminating in a remarkable walk tracing the proposed trail from Wednesfield to Smestow Valley Nature Walk, complete with Vikings!
David Guest, a local historian and writer has also passionately lectured on the subject and has been holding fascinating talks about Aethelflaed and the Battles throughout the community, David has even produced a book on the subject which is available to buy.
The project aims to engage with the local communities of Tettenhall and Wednesfield and the wider community to ascertain their preferences for installations, tourist attractions, artwork, or historical commemorations.
Please read about our full proposal below and discover the varied commission ideas which will invite professional makers, artists and writers to interpret this history in a meaningful and inspiring way.
The objective is to reaffirm Lady Aethelflaed's historical significance as the female leader who protected the Tettenhall region and the Kingdom of West Mercia against Viking incursions, heralding the dawn of Anglo-Saxon England.
Pivotal battles that reshaped English history include:
- The Battle of Hastings in 1066, which ushered in Norman rule
- The Battle of Market Bosworth in 1485, which heralded the Tudor Dynasty
- The Battle of Naseby in 1645, which precipitated the Interregnum under Cromwell
The Battle of Tettenhall & Wodensfield in 910 AD, and Aethelflaed's contributions, remain largely unacknowledged and uncelebrated, even locally. These conflicts and our local lore marked the commencement of Anglo-Saxon England and the cessation of the Danelaw.
Read the full project proposal here.
Community, we need your input! We've developed a 'feedback survey' to gather your feedback and suggestions surrounding what the community would like to see.
Find out about all upcoming creative and community workshops , featuring arts workshops with professional makers and artists @ Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Rachel Arnold (Creative Director) has been working with local communities and local talented artists to create beautiful artwork alongside community participants and explore the narrative of The Battle of 910 AD and the character of Lady Aethelflaed. A series of workshops have been funded by 'Creative Blackcountry' and run into next year. A full list of workshops being held at Wolverhampton Art Gallery is available above.
Wolverhampton Museums, Galleries & Archives (wolverhamptonart.org.uk)
All workshops are complimentary, and a complete schedule is provided above. Some fantastic themed art work have already been created by participants to help inform permanent artworks along the trail.
Rachel has also led a popular walk from Wednesfield- Smestow Valley Nature Walk which explored the proposed historical trail. The walk included Viking reenactors and had a wonderful turn out!
The project is also helping to enrich and broadcast the talents of local makers/artist's and historians. We hope to reach out to further community groups, schools, local colleges and Wolverhampton University School of Art.
Further pictures of Rachel's community work and art can be viewed on her Instagram Page: www.instagram.com/waterprophetarts100
Photograph (courtesy of Rachel Arnold) Viking ship made in participant workshop
We are currently compiling a comprehensive list of resources and reading material to help educate and provide further learning, these will be updated here including books and articles about the Battle of 910 Ad and Lady Aethelfaed
Most recent article about the Trail and community engagement so far: BBC
Battle of Wodensfield: Art trail to mark legendary Viking clash - BBC News
Aethelflaed: The warrior queen who broke the glass ceiling - BBC News English Historical Fiction Authors: Æthelflæd: Lady, or Queen? (englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com)
Aethelflaed: The warrior queen who broke the glass ceiling - BBC News
New Sculpture at Tamworth Arise Queen Aethelflaed - Latest News - Joseph Ash Galvanizing
Arise Queen Aethelflaed - Latest News - Joseph Ash Galvanizing
English Historical Fiction Authors: Æthelflæd: Lady, or Queen? (englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com)
Good watches
Viking Live: A Tour from the British Museum
Written by local Historian David Guest
Print/Design by The Studio Group (Tettenhall)
Price £10.99
Email: guestdavid@sky.com to get a copy
Handcrafted/Locally Produced
By Artist Rachel Arnold, price £5.99
By Artist Rachel Arnold, price £5.99
By Artist Rachel Arnold, price £5.99
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We would love to hear your thoughts about the project.
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