Ealdgyth (wife of Edmund Ironside) facts for kids

Ealdgyth (born around 992 – died after 1016), also known as Edith, was an important woman in early 11th-century England. She was likely the wife of a powerful leader named Sigeferth. Later, she married Edmund Ironside, who became King of England. Many historians believe she was the mother of Edmund's sons, Edward the Exile and Edmund Ætheling.

Ealdgyth's First Marriage

Ealdgyth was first married to Sigeferth. He was a "thegn," which was a high-ranking noble or important person in Anglo-Saxon England. Sigeferth and his brother Morcar were powerful leaders from an area called the "Seven Burghs."

A Tragic Event

In 1015, something terrible happened. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, an old historical record, tells us that Sigeferth and Morcar were killed. They were at a meeting of English nobles in Oxford. A powerful official named Eadric Streona invited them to his rooms. The Chronicle says he killed them "dishonourably."

After their deaths, King Æthelred the Unready took all of Sigeferth and Morcar's property. He also ordered that Sigeferth's widow be held at Malmesbury Abbey. The Chronicle does not say her name, but another old book, the chronicle of John of Worcester, calls her Ealdgyth.

Marriage to King Edmund Ironside

In the late summer of 1015, King Æthelred's son, Edmund Ironside, started a rebellion against his father. During this time, Edmund went to Malmesbury. He took Sigeferth's widow from the abbey, even though his father did not want him to. Then, Edmund married her.

Gaining Support

After Edmund married Ealdgyth, many of Sigeferth and Morcar's friends and allies supported him. This helped Edmund in his fight against his father. We know Edmund had a wife at this time because two old documents mention her. However, these documents do not say her name.

Ealdgyth's Children

Most historians believe that Ealdgyth was the mother of Edmund Ironside's two sons. These sons were Edmund and Edward.

The Sons' Fates

Young Edmund died when he was still in exile, far from England. Edward the Exile eventually returned to England much later. This was during the time of his uncle, King Edward the Confessor. Sadly, Edward the Exile died soon after coming back. It is not known if Ealdgyth went into exile with her children after King Edmund's death in 1016.

Was Her Name Really Ealdgyth?

There is some discussion among historians about Ealdgyth's name. The writer John of Worcester said her name was Ealdgyth. However, Sigeferth's brother, Morcar, was also married to a woman named Ealdgyth. This other Ealdgyth was related to important people like Ælfhelm, Ealdorman of York.

The name Ealdgyth was quite common back then. But because both brothers had wives named Ealdgyth, some historians wonder if John of Worcester might have confused them. It is possible he mixed up Sigeferth's widow with his sister-in-law.

See also

In Spanish: Edith de Northumbria para niños