Eadgifu of Wessex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eadgifu of Wessex |
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A 15th-century depiction of Eadgifu of Wessex, with her son Louis IV
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| Queen consort of the West Franks | |
| Tenure | 7 October 919 – 922 |
| Died | in or after 951 |
| Spouse | Charles III of France Herbert III of Omois |
| Issue | Louis IV |
| House | Wessex |
| Father | Edward the Elder |
| Mother | Ælfflæd |
Eadgifu (also known as Edgiva or Ogive) was an important queen in early French history. She was born in England and became the Queen of the West Franks. This was a kingdom in what is now France.
Eadgifu was the wife of King Charles the Simple. Her father was Edward the Elder, who was the King of Wessex and England. Her mother was Ælfflæd.
Becoming a Queen
Eadgifu was one of three sisters from Wessex who married powerful rulers in Europe. Her sisters were Eadgyth and Eadhild. Eadgyth married Otto I, who became a Holy Roman Emperor. Eadhild married Hugh the Great, a very important French noble.
Eadgifu became the second wife of King Charles the Simple. They married between the years 917 and 919. She became the mother of King Louis IV of France.
Protecting Her Son
In 923, King Charles III was removed from power. He was defeated in a battle and then taken prisoner. To keep her young son Louis safe, Eadgifu quickly took him to England.
Louis grew up at the court of his uncle, King Æthelstan of England. Because he spent so much time across the sea, Louis became known as Louis d'Outremer. This means "Louis from over the sea."
Return to France
Louis stayed in England until 936. Then, he was called back to France to become king. Eadgifu went with him.
After her son became king, Eadgifu chose to live a quiet life. She retired to a convent in Laon, a city in France.
Later Life
In 951, something surprising happened. A powerful count named Herbert the Old of Omois took Eadgifu and married her. Her son, King Louis IV, was very angry about this.
Eadgifu passed away in Soissons. The exact year of her death is not known, but it was sometime after 951.
See also
- In Spanish: Edgiva de Wessex para niños
