Heir to Mercia

A young and passionate noble, Æthelred is distant cousin to the King Ceowulf and the heir to the Kingdom of Mercia. It is not guaranteed however as the Mercian King is selected by the Whitton but Æthelred is the favored pick. There are rumors that King Alfred has bribed some in the Whitton so Æthelred is selected. King Alfred might believe this would put a weak ruler on the throne and to bolster his control over the Kingdom.
 
Æthelred seems to have little interest in learning from the King and spends much of his time riding and hunting around Mercia in search of glory. He is impulsive and can often be found in the alehouses near the King’s quarters with his close friends.