Ealdormen and Earls of The Mercians
The chief magnate of Mercia as an English province held the title of ealdorman until 1023/32, and earl thereafter. Both offices were royal appointments, but the latter in effect became hereditary.
Ealdormen of the Mercians (non-dynastic)
Earls of the Mercians (descendants of Leofwine)
| Ruler | Reign | Biographical notes | Died |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ælfhere | 957–983 | Appointed ealdorman of Mercia in 957 by Eadgar, when the English kingdom was disunited. | 983 |
| Ælfric Cild | 983–985 | Brother-in-law of Ælfhere. Deposed by Æthelred the Unready in 985. Killed in battle against the Danes in 1016. | 18 Oct 1016 |
| Wulfric Spot | ?–1004 | Possibly ealdorman of the Mercia after the deposition of Ælfric Cild. | 22 Oct 1004 |
| Eadric Streona | 1007–1017 | Appointed by Æthelred. A notorious turncoat, he was later murdered by Cnut for his treachery. | 25 Dec 1017 |
| Leofwine | 1017–1023/32 | Possibly appointed by Cnut as ealdorman of Mercia, he was also ealdorman of the Hwicce. | 1023/32 |
| Leofric | 1023/32–1057 | Son of Leofwine, appointed by Cnut as earl. Chiefly remembered for his famous wife, Godgifu (Lady Godiva). | 31 Aug or 30 Sep 1057 |
| Ælfgar | 1057–1062 | Son of Leofric. Had previously been Earl of East Anglia until succeeding his father to Mercia. | 1062 |
| Eadwine | 1062–1071 | Son of Ælfgar. Submitted to William the Conqueror in 1066, but later rebelled, and was betrayed by his own men. Mercia was then broken up into smaller earldoms. | 1071 |
Read more about this topic: List Of Monarchs Of Mercia
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