#tlk aldhelm

King Aldhelm of Mercia (2025)

'Radiant Beauty in Green and Gold'

Acrylic painting on 24" x 36" (61x91 cm) stretched canvas, completed March 26, 2025.

Lord Aldhelm as the King of Mercia, what both he and the people of Mercia deserved. This is an idea that has been in my head for over 3 years now, and I finally had the time and courage to undertake it. I have lost count of how many hours I spent on it, but I started it late last year and worked on it in between pet portrait commissions.

More information and details below the cut.

been a while since i've done anything for this fandom, so here's a messy sketch to remedy that (also shoutout to @lord-aldhelm for reblogging my older doodles 💜 i appreciate you)

The Last Kingdom Master List

Lord Aldhelm is the sort of man who is quietly assured. Aldhelm does not need or thrive on grand gestures. He knows who he is, he knows his place in the world, and because of this the man knows his feelings: most of the time. Aldhelm spent years in Mercia being a lap dog for that bread pudding of a so called “king”. Now that he is free of that mess, he's opening himself up and what do you know? He's found himself in love.

Lord Aldhelm of Mercia

Name: Lord Aldhelm

Birthplace: Hreopandune (Repton)

Birthdate: December 29, 862

Sex: Male

Gender Identity: Male

Sexuality: Heterosexual; Demisexual

Marital Status: Unmarried (but devoted to Aethelflaed)

Religion: Christian

Nationality: Mercian

Hobbies: Writing poetry, singing, drawing, nature hikes, tutoring Aelfwynn.

Horse: A dark bay gelding named Æsce (Ash)

Sword: Oathkeeper

Bio: Lord Aldhelm was the chief advisor for Lord Aethelred, as well as the captain of the Mercian hearth guard. He had a falling out with the mercurial Lord of Mercia, and lost his rank and titles. Fortunately, the Lady Aethelflaed took him into her estate at Saltwic, where he is her trusted friend, close advisor, and ... maybe more.

Family: He is the eldest son of the ealdorman Lord Eadgar of Hreopandune (Repton). His mother was the Lady Mildburg of Elmet (Anglisc Northumbria). He had an older sister Wynnflaed (who passed away a few years ago), and has a younger brother Beorhtric, who currently is the acting Lord of Legacæstir, having married the daughter of the previous Lord of Legacæstir. Since that lord had no male heirs, Beohtric was accepted as his heir.

History: Aldhelm was born in Repton in 862. His father, Lord Eadgar, was a powerful ealdorman who served as the chief advisor for King Burgred. In 874 (when Aldhelm was 12), the Great Heathen Army invaded Mercia, decimating his father's estate and leaving his family without a home. Aldhelm, his father, and brother were living in Tamworth at the time, so their lives were spared. However, King Burgred was expelled later that same year and King Ceolwulf was installed as the puppet king of Mercia. His father, due to his loyalty and service to the previous king, was accepted as Ceolwulf's advisor. In 880 when his father passed, Aldhelm was made chief advisor to King Ceolwulf II.

Since Ceolwulf left no heirs, the witan had to select the next Lord of Mercia to lead once he passed. Aethelred was the main contender for the crown, but there were other lords that were under consideration from the witan. Aethelred made Aldhelm a deal: guarantee that Aethered was selected by the witan as the Lord of Mercia, and he would keep Aldhelm as the chief advisor, as well as promote him to captain of the guard. He also promised to grant Aldhelm an estate so he would have land and title once more.

Upon the king's passing, Aethelred fulfilled his first two promises, but reneged on the third, keeping Aldhelm a landless ealdorman and at Aethelred's mercy.

(votes are anonymous okay so feel free to vote!! Just be honest ;)