view, Keynes makes a strong case that Edward ruled over an Anglo-Saxon state with a developing administrative and ideological unity but that Æthelflæd and Æthelred did much to encourage a separate Mercian identity, such as establishing cults of Mercian saints at their new burhs, as well as reverence for their great Northumbrian royal saint at Gloucester: Commemoration In June 2018, Æthelflæd's funeral was re-enacted in front of a crowd of 10,000 people in Gloucester, as part of a series of living history events marking the 1,100th anniversary of her death. The 1,100th anniversary of the death of Æthelflaed was marked throughout 2018 in Tamworth with a number of major events, including the unveiling of a new six-metre statue, the creation of the town's biggest ever piece of community art, a major commemorative church service, talks, a special guided walk, commemorative ale and an academic conference weekend drawing academics and delegates from all over the world. Notes Citations Bibliography Further reading External links 870s births 918 deaths Year of birth uncertain Mercian monarchs People from Stafford 10th-century rulers in Europe 9th-century English people 10th-century English people Queens regnant 9th-century English women 10th-century women rulers House of Wessex Women in medieval European warfare Burials at St Oswald's Priory, Gloucester Daughters of kings