The Fall of Mercia and the Fallacy of the Great Man

In this chapter, the speaker discusses the notion of whether there was an empire of Mercia and whether the first emperor of the West considered forming an early British empire, and explores the idea that these early kings and emperors were primarily focused on expanding power rather than forming a united England or British empire. The chapter also addresses questions and comments about the fallacy of the great man theory and explains how influential individuals have shaped history within the confines of cultural values and constraints.